GB2448407A

GB2448407A - Jointing method and system for lining boards

Info

Publication number: GB2448407A
Application number: GB0806152A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Andrew Brown
Original assignee: WACO UK Ltd
Current assignee: WACO UK Ltd
Priority date: 2007-04-05
Filing date: 2008-04-04
Publication date: 2008-10-15
Also published as: GB0706701D0; GB0806152D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for jointing decoratively faced lining boards 2 comprising, fixing first and second boards 2 to a support structure 1 with the decorative covering material facing outwards. The boards are fixed to the support structure such that one edge of the second board 2 abuts against one edge of the first board 2, the two edges thereby defining a joint line 4. A strip 6 of the decorative material of predetermined width is then removed, the strip 6 being from the said one edge of the first board 2 and from the said one edge of the second board 2. A strip of decorative covering material 7 is then applied, equal in width to the combined width of the strips of material removed from the edges of the first and second boards, to fill the gap left by the removed strips 6, and cover the joint line 4 over its full length. A later embodiment relates to a trimming tool 5.

Description

DESCRIPTION

"A JOINTING METHOD AND JOINTING SYSTEM FOR LINING BOARDS" The present invention relates to a jointing method for lining boards having a decorative facing on one side. The present invention also relates to ajointing system for lining boards having a decorative facing on one side. The method and system are is particularly suitable for use with vinyl faced plasterboard of the kind used to line internal walls and studwork. The present Invention also relates to a trimming tool.

It is known to line internal walls and studwork with vinyl faced plasterboard. The plasterboard is easy to install, being screwed or stapled through the front face thereof directly to the wall or to the studwork, and the vinyl covering provides a hardwearing and decorative finish to the interior of the walls.

Where the edges of two adjacent panels abut there is always a joint line and, generally, the board fixings are secured through the panels down each side of this joint line. For aesthetic reasons it is known to affix an elongate trim along the length of the joint line and extending outwardly to each side thereof to conceal the joint line and cover the heads of the board fixings. A known trim comprises a moulded elongate fixing member which is positioned in the gap between the abutting edges of to adjacent panels and a nioulded elongate capping member. The capping member comprises a planar strip member and clips or snap fit connectors hich are adapted in USC to engage with and secure the capping member to the tixin member. When the capping member is clipped to the fixing member the planar strip overlies the edges of the two panels on each side of the joint line and cover the board fixings. The front face of the planar strip may be painted or covered with vinyl to match the vinyl faced plasterboard.

Although the known trim described hereinbefore effectively conceals thejoint line and the board fixings to each side thereof, it stands proud oIthe decorative surfaces of the boards. Thus, at intervals around the room there are visible strips of between 2 to 4 cm in width running from floor to ceiling. These strips detract from the overall appearance of the room and arc undesirable.

Another disadvantage of this known trim is that it requires careful positioning of the elongate fixing member to ensure that it lies properly in the gap between the abutting edges of adjacent panels. Moreover, because the fixing member and the capping member have to be moulded with clips or snap fit connectors it is relatively expensive to produce.

it is an object of the present invention to provide a method ofjointing decoratively faced lining boards which obviates or at least substantially mitigates the disadvantages 1 5 associated with the known trim described hereinhelore.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a jointing system for decoratively faced lining boards which obviates or at least substantiall mitigates the disadvantages associated ith the known trim described hereinbefore.

It is vet another object of the present invention to provide a trimming tool for trizuniin the decorative covering on decoratively faced lining boards.

According to a first aspect of the present in ention there is pros ided a method for jointing decoiati cl\ laced lining boards coniprisnig: a) fixing a first board having a decorative covering material on one side to a supporting structure with the decorative covering facing outwardly; b) fixing a second board having a decorative covering material on one side to the supporting structure with the decorative covering facing outwardly and with one edge thereof abutting against one edge of the first hoard such that the two edges define a joint line therebetween; c) removing a strip of the decorative covering material, the strip being of predetermined width, from the said one edge ofthe first board and from the said one edge of the second board; d) applying a strip of decorative covering material, equal in width to the combined width of the strip of material removed from the said one edge ofthe first board and the strip of material removed from the said one edge of the second board, to fill the gap left by the removed strips and cover the joint line over its full length.

Preferably, the strip of material removed from the said one edge of the first hoard is equal in width to the strip of material removed from the said one edge of the second hoard. Ho ever, the strips may be unequal in width provided that their combined idth is equal to the width of the strip of decorative material.

Preferably, the joint between the adjacent edges of the first and second hoards is 21) filled with a filler material before the strip of decoratie coering material is applied.

Preferabh. the strip of decoratie covering material is applied using an adhesive.

Cons eniently. the adhesive is a contact adhesive and the strip is covered with a hacking sheet which is peeled away to expose the contact adhesive.

Conveniently, the first and second boards are fixed to the supportin structure by screws or staples. The screws or staples are inserted through the regions of the first and second hoards from which the strips of decorative covering material are removed.

Preferably, the heads of the fixings arc filled with a filler material before the strip of decorative covering material is applied.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a jointing system for decoratively faced lining hoards, comprising a supporting structure, a first board having a decorative covering material on one side fixed to the supporting structure with the decorative covering facing outwardly and a second board having a decorative covering in aterial on one s ide fixed to t lie s upporting s tructure w ith the d ecorative covering facing outwardly and with one edge thereof abutting against one edge of the first hoard such that the two edges define a joint line therebetween, wherein a strip of decorative covering material, of predetemiined width, is removed from the said one edge of the lirst hoard and from the said one edge of the second hoard, and a strip of decorative covering material equal in width to the combined width of the strip of material removed from the said one edge of the first hoard and the strip of material removed from the said one edge of the second board is affixed to the first and second hoards to fill the gap left by the removed strips and cover the joint line.

2() According to a third aspect of the present invention there is pros ided a trimming tool for trimming a strip ofdecoratie coering material from each of the adjacent edges of t o decorati clv faced lining boards fixed to a supporting structure. comprisine a housing, a guide member adapted in use to guide the trimming tool along the joint line between the adjacent edges of two boards, a first blade supported within the housing on one side of the guide member and spaced therefrom by a first predeterniined distance, and a second blade supported within the housing on the opposite side of the guide member from the first blade and spaced from the guide member by a second predeteniincd distance.

The first and second predetemiined distances may be the same.

Preferably, the guide member comprises one or more guide wheels which rotate as the trimming tool is moved along the joint line.

I () Preferably, the trimming tool comprises means for limiting the depth to which the blades cut into the decorative covering material.

An embodiment of the present invention will 0W he described, by way of example. with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figs. I to 6 show a sequence of views of a stud wall lined with plasterboard 1 5 panels in accordance with the method of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a side view of a trimming tool according to the third aspect of the present ln\ ention: Fig. 8 is a front iew of the trimmin tool shown in Fig. 7: and Fig. 9 is a partial view of another trimming tool according to the third aspect of Fig. I (I is a vie of an alternative embodiment showing a stud wall lined ith plasterboard panels in accordance uth the method of the llresent lnention.

the present Invention: Referring to Fig. I there is shown a stud wall I having three vinyl faced plasterboard panels 2 secured thereto by suitable screws 3. The hoards 2 are arranged side by side over the stud wall I with the vertical edge of one abutting up against the adjacent vertical edge of the next. A vertical board joint 4 runs between the abutting edges.

Referring to Fig. 2 a dual blade trimming tool 5, to be described in more detail hereinafter, is run down each vertical board joint 4, cutting through the vinyl covering on each side of the joint, at a predetermined distance from the board joint. In this way a strip 6 of vinyl material is cut from each panel 2 immediately adjacent to the vertical board joint 4.

Referring to Fig. 3 the strips 6 of cut vinyl along each side of the vertical board joint 4 are peeled away to CXOSC the plasterboard underneath and the screw heads 3.

Care must be taken to remove any vinyl material caught up around the screw heads 3.

Referring to Fig. 4 the vertical board joint 4 and the screw heads 3 are treated with proprietaly tiller to give a smooth finish to the exposed plasterboard.

Referring to Fig. 5 a strip 7 of vinyl covering material equal in width to the combined width of the strips 6 removed from each side of the vertical board joint 4 is applied over the exposed plasterboard to cover the vertical hoard joint 4 and the scre heads 3. The strip 7 is pre-coaled with a contact adhesive on the back arid this is protected ith a backing sheet until it is required to he used. The contact adhesive is pressure activated. The vinyl co ering material compi-isin the strip 7 is of the same colour and texture as the invl covering the plasterboard panels 2. and is also of the same thickness.

Referring to Fig. 6 it can be seen that the strip 7 conceals the vertical board joint and the screw heads. The vinyl material covering the plasterboard 2 is flush over their entire surface, even in the region of the vertical board joint.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8 there is shown one embodiment of a trimming tool for trimming a strip of decorative covering material from each of the adjacent edges of two decoratively faced lining boards fixed to a supporting structure, as described hereinbefore with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. The trimming tool comprises a housing 20 having a handle 21 extending therefrom. Mounted on the underside of the housing 20 are two in-line guide wheels 22 and 23. The guide wheels are adapted to rotate in the housing 20. Each guide wheel 22 and 23 comprises knife edge projection 24 around the circumference thereof. The knife edge projection 24 is adapted to be received between the abutting edges of two adjacent hoards and to guide the trimming tool along the board joint defined therebetween. The surfaces of the guide wheel to each side of the knife edge projection 24 support the trimming tool on the facing surfaces of the two boards. The housing 20 also supports two cutting blades 25 and 26, one on each side of the guide wheels 22 and 23. The blades 25 and 26 arc removably supported in the housing 20 to facilitate their replacement as necessary. The cutting edge of each knife projects from the housing far enough to cut through the vinyl coering the boards. As shon each blade is 2() equidistantly spaced from the guide wheels 22 and 23 hut this is not absolutely ncccssar.

The distance between the two blades is equal to the iclth of the infill strip of vinyl covering material.

Referring finally to Fig. 9 there is shown another embodiment of a trimming tool.

This embodiment is essentially similar to the embodiment shown in Figs. 7 and 8 except that the rotating guide wheels 20 and 23 are replaced with a knife-shaped guide member 30. The knife-shaped guide member 30 has a knife edge 31 on the underside which engages in the board joint between two adjacent boards to guide the trimming tool as it run the length of the board joint.

To allow the trimming tool to move freely, a guide member adapted in use to guide the trimming tool along the joint line between the adjacent edges of two boards, a first blade supported within the housing on one side of the guide member and spaced therefrom by a first predetermined distance, and a second blade supported within the housing on the opposite side of the guide member from the first blade and spaced from the guide member by a second predetermined distance.

hi an alternative embodiment, where the vertical board joint 4 (Fig 10) between abutting edges of boards 2 is uneven, perhaps due to damage to the board edges during transport, installation or in manufacture, a guide rail 40 is removably fixed over the vertical board joint 4. Guide rail 40 has an elongate channel 41 extending substantially along its length into which guide wheels 22 and 23 or guide member 30 of the trimming tool can he received. Channel 41 has uniform width and ensures that the vinyl on each side of the vertical board joint 4 is cut at the predetermined distance and that the cut vinyl edges are substantially parallel to one another. Once the vinyl has been cut, the guide rail can be removed. The boards 2 can theii be treated as showin in figs 3 to 6.

(11 \ 1 4 j-42u \ U4 4! O5 U MAS1 FR Ri)

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A method for jointing decoratively faced lining boards

comprising: a) fixing a first board having a decorative covering material on one side to a supporting structure with the decorative covering facing outwardly; b) fixing a second board having a decorative covering material on one side to the Supporting structure with the decorative covering facing outwardly and with one edge thereof abutting against one edge of the first board such that the two edges define a joint line therebetween; c) removing a strip of the decorative covering material, the strip being of predetermined width, from the said one edge of the first board and from the said one edge of the second board; d) applying a strip of decorative covering material, equal in width to the combined width of the strip of material removed from the said one edge of the first board and the strip of material removed from the said one edge of the second board, to fill the gap left by the removed strips and cover the joint line over its full length.
2. A method as claimed in claini 1. wherein the strip of niatcrial remo ed from the said one edge of' the first board is equal in width to the strip of material ren-io ed from the said one edge of the second board.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2. further comprising (lie step of filling the joint hcteen the adjacent edges of the first and second hoaids ith a 1111cr material beiiwe the strip of decorative co\ering material is applied
4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the strip of decorative covering material is applied using an adhesive.
5. A rn ethod a s c laimed i n c laim 4, w hcrcin I he a dhesive comprises a c ontact adhesive.
6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the strip is covered with a backing sheet which is peeled away to expose the contact adhesive.
7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second boards are fixed to the supporting structure by screws or staples.
8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the screws or staples are inserted through the regions ofthe first and second boards from which the strips of decorative covering material are removed.
9. A method as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, further cornprisin the step of lillijig the heads of the fixings with a filler material before the strip of decorative covering material is applied.
10. A jointing svsteni for decoratively faced lining boards, comprising a supportins structure, a first board having a decoratj e covering material on one side ti\ed to the supporting structure itli the decorative covering facing 2 out ardl\ and a second board ha ing a decorati e c&n ering material on one side fixed to the supporting structure with the dccorati C CO\ ering facing outardly and ith one edge thereof abutting against one edge of the first board such that the two edges define a joint line therebetween, wherein a strip of decorative covering material, of predetermined width, is removed from the said one edge of the first board and froni the said one edge of the second hoard, and a strip of decorative covering material equal in width to the combined width of the strip of material removed from the said one edge of the first board and the strip of material removed from the said one edge of the second board is affixed to the first and second boards to fill the gap left by the removed strips and cover the joint line.
11. A jointing system as claimed in claim 10. wherein the strip of material removed from the said one edge of the first board is equal in width to the strip of material removed from the said one edge of the second board.
12. A jointing system as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the joint between the adjacent edges of the first and second boards is filled with a liller.
13. A jointing system as claimed in any of claims 1 0, 11 or 12, wherein the strip of decorative covering material is applied using an adhesive.
14. A jointing system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the adhesive comprises a contact adhesive.
15. A jointing system as claimed in claim 14. wherein the strip is covered ith a backing sheet hich is peeled a a to expose the contact adhesive.
16. A oiniing s\'steni as claimed in aii' 1)1 claims 1 (Ito IS. herein the first and second boards are fixed to the supportin structure by scres or staples.
1 7. A jointing system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the screws or staples are inserted through the regions of the first and second boards from which the strips of decorative covering material are removed. c
1 8. A joiliting system as claimed in claim 1 6 or claim 1 7, wherein the heads of the fixings are filled with a filler material.
19. A trimming tool for trimming a strip of decorative covering material from each of the adjacent edges of Iwo decoratively faced lining boards fixed to a supporting structure, comprising a housing, a guide member adapted in use to guide the trimming tool along the joint line between the adjacent edges of two boards, a first b lade s upported w ithin the h ousing on one s ide o ft he guide member and spaced therefrom by a first predetermined distance, and a second blade supported within the housing on the opposite side of the guide member from the first blade and spaced from the guide member by a second predetermined distance.
20. A trimming tool as claimed in claim 19. wherein the first and second predetermined distances are the same.
21 A trimming tool as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20. herein the guide member comprises a knife-shaped guide member.
22. A trimniirn tool as claimed in claim 21. herein the kni!-shaped guide member comprises a knife edge on its underside adapted to engage in the board joint between two adjacent boards to guide the trimming tool as it run the length of the board joint.
23. A trimming tool as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the guide member c oniprises o iie or in ore guide wheels which rotate a s t he trimming tool is moved along the joint line.
24. A trimming tool as claimed in claim 23, wherein the guide member comprises a pair of in-line guide wheels.
25. A trimming tool as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24, wherein each guide wheel compnscs a knife edge projection around the circumference thereof, which is adapted to be received between the abutting edges of two adjacent boards and to guide the trimming tool along the board joint defined therebetween.
26. A trimming tool as claimed in claim 25, wherein the guide wheels further comprise surfaces to each side of the knife edge projection which support the trimming tool on the facing surfaces of the two boards.
27. A trimming tool as claimed in any of claims 23 to 26, coniprisiim a pair of cutting blades, one on each side of the uidc hecls.
28. A trimming tool as claimed in claim 27, wherein the ctittin blades are renio able.

-S
29. A trimming tool as claimed in any of claims 19 to 2S. comprising a housing having a handle extending therefrom.
30. A trimming tool as claimed in any of claims 19 to 29, further comprising means for limiting the depth to which the blades cut into the decorative covering material.
31. A method, jointing system or trimming tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the decoratively faced lining boards comprise vinyl faced plasterboard panels.
32. A method or jointing system substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 and/or 10 of the accompanying drawings.
33. A trimming tool substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in Figures 7 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.