GB2614559A

GB2614559A - Coving assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2614559A
Application number: GB2200161.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wadsworth Martin; Lane Mckenzie Thomas
Original assignee: DISCRETEHEAT CO Ltd
Current assignee: DISCRETEHEAT CO Ltd
Priority date: 2022-01-07
Filing date: 2022-01-07
Publication date: 2023-07-12

Abstract

There is provided a coving assembly configured to be fitted to a wall or ceiling, the coving assembly comprising a coving member 100 having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The coving assembly also comprises a bracket 200 configured to be mounted to the wall or the ceiling and fixable to the coving member 100 at a fixing point 3. The coving assembly also comprises a hinge mechanism 4, formed in use by engagement of the coving member 100 with the bracket 200, configured to allow rotation of the coving member 100 to expose the interior surface.

Description

COVING ASSEMBLY

Field

The invention relates to a coving assembly configured to be fitted to a wall or ceiling and a method of fitting a coving assembly.

Background to the Invention

A coving, sometimes referred to as a cornice or a crown moulding, is a type of architectural moulding that is used to cover the join between a ceiling and a wall. A coving is typically defined by its projection, its drop or height and its length. Traditionally a coving is a curved or shaped strip of wood, but a coving may be made of a variety of materials (e.g., plaster, thermoplastic, etc.).

Advantageously, a coving helps to weather seal joints in a building structure and/or serve as decoration. However, fitting of a coving can be difficult. For example, a typical coving must be fitted in a particular orientation. Resultingly, the coving must be manoeuvred to have the correct orientation, which may be difficult in a small room and/or if the coving is long. For the same reasons, a long coving may be difficult for a single person to fit. Further, it may be necessary to account for fixtures when fitting a coving. For example, when refurbishing a room it may be necessary to wait until fixtures, such as piping and wiring, have been installed prior to fitting a coving, because coving is typically used to cover such fixtures.

Hence, there is a need for a coving that can be fitted without needing to be manoeuvred into a strict orientation. Similarly, there is a need for a coving that can be easily fitted by a single person. There is also a need for a coving that enables fixtures to be installed after the coving has been fitted. Overall, there is a desire to provide a coving that is easily fitted by a single person and irrespective of whether fixtures have already been installed

Summary of the Invention

It is one aim of the present invention, amongst others, to provide a coving assembly which at least partially obviates or mitigates at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art, whether identified herein or elsewhere, or to provide an alternative approach. For instance, it is an aim of embodiments of the invention to provide a coving assembly that enables fixtures to be installed retrospectively. For instance, it is an aim of embodiments of the invention to provide a coving assembly that can be easily fitted by a single person.

According to the present invention there is provided a coving assembly and a method of fitting a coving assembly, as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description that follows.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a coving assembly configured to be fitted to a wall or ceiling, the coving assembly comprising a coving member having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The coving assembly also comprises a bracket configured to be mounted to the wall or the ceiling and fixable to the coving member at a fixing point. The coving assembly also comprises a hinge mechanism, formed in use by engagement of the coving member with the bracket, configured to allow rotation of the coving member to expose the interior surface.

The hinge mechanism may comprise one of: a protrusion of the coving member and a socket of the bracket; and a protrusion of the bracket and a socket of the coving member.

The hinge mechanism may be configured to allow the coving member to be rotated relative to the wall or the ceiling.

The hinge mechanism may be integral with the fixing point.

The coving assembly may further comprise a plurality of the protrusions and sockets.

The coving member may be symmetrical along its length.

The coving assembly may further comprise an attachment site at an end of the coving member for hanging the coving member by a connector.

The bracket may be configured to be mounted to the wall and the ceiling.

The bracket may comprise a thermoplastic.

The coving member may comprise a thermally conductive material.

The coving member and/or bracket may comprise a holder configured to hold a fixture According to a second aspect, there is provided a coving system comprising a plurality of the coving assemblies of the first aspect.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of fitting a coving assembly. The method comprises mounting a bracket to a wall or a ceiling; engaging a coving member with the bracket to form a hinge mechanism; and fixing the bracket to the coving member.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a coving member for use in a coving assembly, the coving member having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and being fixable to a bracket of the coving assembly at a fixing point. The coving member comprises a part of a hinge mechanism configured to engage with the bracket, that is configured to be mounted to a wall or a ceiling, to together form the hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism is configured to allow rotation of the coving member to expose the interior surface.

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a bracket for use in a coving assembly, the bracket configured to be mounted to a wall or a ceiling and fixable to a coving member at a fixing point. The bracket comprises a part of a hinge mechanism configured to engage with the coving member to together form the hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism is configured to allow rotation of the coving member to expose an interior surface of the coving member.

Brief Description of the Drawinqs

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how exemplary embodiments of the same may be brought into effect, reference will be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying diagrammatic Figures, in which: Figure 1A schematically depicts a side view of a coving assembly comprising a coving member and a bracket according to an exemplary embodiment; Figure 1B schematically depicts a front view of a coving assembly comprising a coving member and a bracket according to an exemplary embodiment; Figure 2A schematically depicts a side view of the coving member of Figures 1A and 1B according to an exemplary embodiment; Figure 2B schematically depicts a front view of the coving member of Figures 1A and 1B according to an exemplary embodiment; Figure 3A schematically depicts a side view of an arm of the bracket of Figures 1A and 1B according to an exemplary embodiment, Figure 3B schematically depicts a front view of an arm of the bracket of Figures 1A and 1B according to an exemplary embodiment; and Figure 4 schematically depicts a method of fitting a coving assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed Description

Figures 1A and 1B respectively schematically depict side and front views of a coving assembly according to an exemplary embodiment. The coving assembly is configured to be fitted to a wall or ceiling of a room. The coving assembly comprises a coving member 100 and a bracket 200.

The coving member 100 has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The exterior surface is the face of the coving member 100 that faces outwards, visible to people in the room in which the coving assembly is filled. The interior surface is opposite the interior surface and is the face of the coving member 100 that is not visible when the coving assembly is filled.

Preferably, the coving member 100 comprises a thermally conductive material (e.g., a metal, such as aluminium), because such a material enables heat to be conducted efficiently from any fixtures (see below) to the room via the coving member 100.

The bracket 200 is configured to be mounted to the wall or the ceiling or both the wall and ceiling. Typically, the bracket is mounted by a securement 7 (e.g., as screw). The bracket 200 is fixable to the coving member 100 at a fixing point 3. The coving assembly shown in Figures 1A and 1B is shown as comprising two fixing points 3, but the coving assembly may comprise a single fixing point 3 or more than two fixing points 3. Typically, a bracket mounted on only one of the wall and the ceiling comprises a single fixing point 3, as discussed below in relation to Figures 3A and 3B.

By fixing the bracket 200 to the coving member 100 at one or both of the fixing points 3, movement of the coving member 100 away from the bracket 200 is inhibited. The fixing points 3 in Figures 1A and 1B comprise interlocking projections, though the form of the fixing points 3 is not limited thereto, and any means that are configured to inhibit movement of the coving member 100 away from the bracket 200 may be used.

Preferably, the bracket 200 comprises thermoplastic, because thermoplastic is advantageously light and strong.

The geometry of the bracket 200 advantageously means that the bracket can be pushed up to the ceiling/wall juncture.

The coving assembly also comprises a hinge mechanism 4. The hinge mechanism 4 is formed in use by engagement of the coving member 100 with the bracket 200. In other words, the coving member 100 and the bracket 200 each define part of the hinge mechanism 4, whereby together they form the hinge mechanism 4. For instance, the hinge mechanism may comprise one of either a protrusion of the coving member 100 and a socket of the bracket 200 or, as shown in Figures 1A and 1B, a protrusion of the bracket 200 and a socket of the coving member 100. The hinge mechanism 4 is configured to allow rotation of the caving member 100 to expose the interior surface. In one example, the hinge mechanism 4 is configured to allow the coving member 100 to be rotated relative to the wall or the ceiling. In the arrangement shown in Figures 1A and 1B, it may be necessary to decouple the components forming one of the hinge mechanisms 4 and/or the attachment sites in order to allow rotation about the other hinge mechanism 4. The hinge mechanism 4 may be integral with the fixing point 3, which may advantageously mean that the coving assembly is less susceptible to breaking during storage and transport due to having fewer protruding parts. Advantageously, the hinge mechanism 4 enables access to behind the coving member 100 for installation and/or maintenance of fixtures.

As the coving member 100 rotates about the hinge mechanism to expose the interior surface of the coving member 100, interaction between the coving member 100 and the wall/ceiling causes a force to be exerted onto the socket of the coving member 100 forming the hinge mechanism 4, thereby causing the socket to grip the protrusion more tightly as the coving member 100 is rotated. This feature advantageously reduces the likelihood of the coving member 100 becoming detached from the bracket 200 at the hinge mechanism 4 when rotated about the hinge mechanism 4 to expose the interior surface of the coving member 100.

Figures 1A and 1B show the coving member 100 and the bracket 200 comprising holders 5.

The holders are configured to hold fixtures (i.e., piping, wires, cables and alike). Therefore, the holders are typically substantially U-shaped, as shown in Figures 1A and 1B. In one example, only one of the coving member 100 and the bracket 200 comprise holders 5. The holders may comprise the same or different material as the covering member 100 and the bracket 200, respectively. The diameter of the holders 5 may be adjustable. The holders advantageously reduce likelihood of, for example, wires, can be used to separate different fixtures within the coving assembly.

The coving assembly may comprise an attachment site 6 at an end of the coving member 100 for hanging the coving member 100 by a connector. In the example shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the coving member 100 has an attachment site 6 at each end of the coving member 100 for hanging the coving member 100 by a connector. For instance, the coving member 100 may be hung from a bracket 200 by a connector (e.g., cable, braided wire, cord, strut or rod) attached at an attachment site 3. In this way, the coving assembly may be easily fitted by a single person, because one end of the coving member 100 is safely held in place by the connector while the other end of the coving member 100 is attached to the bracket 200.

Preferably, the coving member 100 is symmetrical about an axis running along its length (i.e., its longitudinal axis). In other words, the arrangement of holders 5 and attachment sites 3 is preferably symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the coving member 100. By having identical features either side of this centre line, the coving assembly can be fitted irrespective of its orientation about its longitudinal axis.

Alternatively or additionally, this feature may be defined or described as functionally symmetrical. Being functionally symmetric means that, more generally, the coving assembly can be fitted and used irrespective of its orientation about its longitudinal axis. For example, whilst not necessarily exactly dimensionally symmetric, the arrangement of features either side of the centre line (e.g., holders 5, attachment sites 6, etc.) means that, the coving assembly can be fitted and used irrespective of its orientation about its longitudinal axis.

Similarly, the bracket may be spatially/dimensionally, and/or functionally symmetric.

Figures 2A and 2B respectively schematically depict side and frontal views of the coving member 100 of Figures 1A and 1B. Figures 2A and 2B include the same features as shown in Figures 1A and 1B Figures 3A and 3B respectively schematically depict side and frontal views of one arm of the bracket 200 of Figures 1A and 1B in which the bracket 200 is shown as comprising two arms. As mentioned above, the coving assembly may be fitted to the wall or ceiling, in which case a bracket 200 comprising one arm can be used. If the coving assembly is to be fitted to the wall and the ceiling, a bracket 200 comprising two arms is used. Fitting to the wall and ceiling may advantageously be more secure than fitting to one of the wall and ceiling. Figures 3A and 3B include the same features as shown in Figures 1A and 1B.

Figure 4 schematically depicts a method of fitting a coving assembly according to an exemplary embodiment. The method shown in Figure 4 comprises mounting S1 a bracket 200, such as that shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 3A or 3B to a wall or a ceiling. As mentioned in relation to Figures 3A and 3B, the bracket 200 may be mounted on the wall and the ceiling. The method also comprises engaging S2 a coving member 100, such as that shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 2A or 2C, with the bracket 200 to form a hinge mechanism 4. The method further comprises fixing S3 the bracket 200 to the coving member 100. For example, fixing S3 the bracket 200 to the coving member 100 may comprise rotating the coving member 100 about the hinge mechanism 4, whereby the bracket 200 can be fixed to the coving member 100 at a fixing point 3.

Prior to engaging S2 the coving member 100 with the bracket 200, the connector described above may be connected to one or more attachment sites 6.

Prior to fixing S3 the bracket 200 to the coving member, fixtures may be inserted into the holders 5 described above. In this way, existing fixtures can be accommodated by the coving assembly, and the hinge mechanism 4 enables these fixtures to be accessed for maintenance and repair.

If fixtures have not been installed when the coving assembly is fitted, fixtures may be subsequently inserted into the holders 5 by rotating the coving member 100 about the hinge mechanism 4, thereby exposing the holders 5. Advantageously, in this way, a coving assembly can be fitted before fixtures are installed, which avoids the need of lifting and manoeuvring potentially heavy fixtures when fitting the coving assembly.

In summary, the invention provides a coving assembly that is easily fitted by a single person and can accommodate fixtures subsequent to fitting, also allowing access to fixtures for maintenance and repair.

The optional features set out herein may be used either individually or in combination with each other where appropriate and particularly in the combinations as set out in the accompanying claims. The optional features for each aspect or exemplary embodiment of the invention, as set out herein are also applicable to all other aspects or exemplary embodiments of the invention, where appropriate. In other words, the skilled person reading this specification should consider the optional features for each aspect or exemplary embodiment of the invention as interchangeable and combinable between different aspects and exemplary embodiments.

Although a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims and as described above.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at most some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A coving assembly configured to be fitted to a wall or ceiling, the coving assembly comprising: a coving member having an interior surface and an exterior surface; and a bracket configured to be mounted to the wall or the ceiling and fixable to the coving member at a fixing point, wherein the coving assembly comprises a hinge mechanism, formed in use by engagement of the coving member with the bracket, configured to allow rotation of the coving member to expose the interior surface.
2. The coving assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the hinge mechanism comprises one of: a protrusion of the coving member and a socket of the bracket; and a protrusion of the bracket and a socket of the coving member.
3. The coving assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the hinge mechanism is configured to allow the coving member to be rotated relative to the wall or the ceiling.
4. The coving assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the hinge mechanism is integral with the fixing point.
5. The coving assembly of any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a plurality of the protrusions and sockets.
6. The coving assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the coving member is symmetrical along its length.
7. The coving assembly of any preceding claim, further comprising an attachment site at an end of the coving member for hanging the coving member by a connector.
8. The coving assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the bracket is configured to be mounted to the wall and the ceiling.
9. The coving assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the bracket comprises a thermoplastic.
10. The coving assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the coving member comprises a thermally conductive material.
11. The coving assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the coving member and/or bracket comprises a holder configured to hold a fixture
12. A coving system comprising a plurality of the coving assemblies of any preceding claim.
13. A method of fitting a coving assembly, the method comprising: mounting a bracket to a wall or a ceiling; engaging a coving member with the bracket to form a hinge mechanism; and fixing the bracket to the coving member.
14. A coving member for use in a coving assembly, the coving member having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and being fixable to a bracket of the coving assembly at a fixing point, the coving member comprising: a part of a hinge mechanism configured to engage with the bracket, that is configured to be mounted to a wall or a ceiling, to together form the hinge mechanism, wherein the hinge mechanism is configured to allow rotation of the coving member to expose the interior surface.
15. A bracket for use in a coving assembly, the bracket configured to be mounted to a wall or a ceiling and fixable to a coving member at a fixing point, the bracket comprising: a part of a hinge mechanism configured to engage with the coving member to together form the hinge mechanism, wherein the hinge mechanism is configured to allow rotation of the coving member to expose an interior surface of the coving member.