US20040020151A1

US20040020151A1 - Snap track decorative moldings

Info

Publication number: US20040020151A1
Application number: US10/628,100
Authority: US
Inventors: William Jamieson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-06-04
Filing date: 2003-07-28
Publication date: 2004-02-05
Also published as: CA2387057A1

Abstract

“In this invention, a grid is marked on the supporting surface with a chalk line. Decorator blocks are fastened to the supporting surface at strategic locations on the grid to act as corners and transition points between sections of the wall or ceiling grid. The largest exposed surface of these decorator blocks has a recess or counterbore in the center that allows fastening to a supporting surface by means of a fastening device. For design purposes, this counterbore can be covered with a decorative medallion. Once mounted into position, these blocks can be adjusted to fit precisely into position at the desired points of intersection on the grid. A main track channel of extended length and flexible sides is anchored to a supporting surface and butting to the decorator blocks. The flexible sides of the channel are tapered at the end. A channel track cover with protruding flanges on its interior and a decorative exterior, fits over the flexible tapered sides of the channel track, such that, when conjoined with the channel track cover, forms a locking step to hold the pieces together. The track channel is also designed to act as a conduit for transporting electrical wires or cable. The result is a decorative grid molding system that can be installed with a minimum of effort and is customized to the individual project.”

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common for ceiling and wall molding systems to be made of plaster, metal, plaster coated polystyrene and wood products. The methods of attaching these moldings are by adhesives, clips, tape, screws, cement-based materials, nails or a combination of these methods. Any holes in the surface are then filled with a compatible material and the surface is then prepared to match the rest of the finished surface. These traditional technologies are expensive, time-consuming and require the use of skilled professionals and a variety of complex and costly tools.

Some systems have clamps, screws, mounting brackets or pressure-fitting sapping devices that allow the moldings to be taken apart for painting purposes. There are systems that have preformed mitered corners and connecting pieces that butt together or overlap (shiplap) to allow for assembly; systems that require the comers to be mitered on site. There are also temporary systems that allow for removal of the entire system in order to reuse it elsewhere. These custom systems are expensive, time-consuming to install and generally require specialty tools and skill level. They are also cumbersome, heavy and in many cases require a skilled individual to install the system in a professional manner. These problems are compounded by materials handling, standardized sizing, installation and required finishing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention consists of three (3) component parts that when assembled, form a complete decorative molded ceiling or wall system. A grid is mapped out on a supporting surface using a chalk line. At strategic points, decorative blocks are fastened to this supporting surface. A channel track is cut to fit between the blocks and is anchored to the supporting surface. The cuts to the track channel are mirrored on the track channel cover. The track channel cover is placed over the track channel and snapped into position. The object of this invention is to alleviate the problems associated with the other materials as well as the methods of installation of a molded grid system.

DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 represents a cross sectional view of track channel. This channel contains a cavity for conducting wire and/or cable and has a series of holes penetrating its surface to allowing fastening to a supporting surface by a fastening device. The sides of said track channel are flexible and have tapered ends that allow them to fit into a locking step. [0004]
FIG. 2 represents an isometric view of an extended length of track channel illustrating the cavity and the first in a series of holes penetrating its surface to allow fastening to supporting a surface by a fastening device. [0005]
FIG. 3 represents a decorator block that is a stop for the track channel and the track channel cover. The blocks are fastened to the supporting surface through a counterbored hole such that a fastening device is attached to said supporting surface. [0006]
FIG. 4 represents a cross section of track channel cover that fits over the track channel. The interior flanges of said cover have protruding sides that form a locking step that allows the tapered flexible sides from the track channel to snap into position. [0007]
FIG. 5 represents an isometric view of an extended length of track channel cover that fits over the track channel. [0008]
FIG. 6 illustrates a cross sectional view of the track channel and the track channel cover as they appear once the track channel has been attached to the supporting surface by a fastening device and the track channel cover has been snapped into position and held by a locking step. [0009]
FIG. 7 illustrates a cross sectional view of both the track channel and the track channel cover butting up to a decorator block as they may appear once the decorator block has been anchored to a supporting surface and the track channel has been attached to the same supporting surface by a fastening device and the track channel cover has been snapped into position and held by a locking step. [0010]
FIG. 8 represents a view of a partially completed grid illustrating decorator blocks, track channel with holes penetrating its surface and track channel cover mirroring the track channel. [0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The disadvantages and difficulties of a traditional grid system can be eradicated by making the base of the component parts from plastic. This product provides the necessary flexibility to facilitate manufacturing and variety in design. The component parts have a flexible locking step that continues for the full length of the track channel and track channel cover. There is also a counterbore in the exposed surface of he decorator blocks that facilitates the attachment to a supporting surface. The locking step allows the moldings to be securely fastened for the full length of the unit rather than at predetermined points along the surface of said component part. Once a portion of the component track cover or moldings parts is squeezed together and snapped into the appropriate receiver, the rest of the track cover or molding snap into position using the pressure that has already been created with the initial fitting. [0012]
A number of finishes from plaster, stucco, wood veneer and paint can be bonded to the exterior surface at the production level. This technology is already in place for other base materials. These exterior finishes create several different textured looks that simulate authentic product finishes. This system can be easily installed by using a few fasteners for the track channel and a cutting tool for cutting the plastic to length. [0013]
The basic system consists of lengths of track channel, lengths of channel track cover and decorator blocks. Higher ceilings require deeper channel cover to give definition to the finished grid. Once the grid has been established by using a measuring tape and chalk line, the required component parts can be installed. [0014]
A decorator block is used wherever there is an outside corner of the grid or wherever a block is desired on the perimeter or interior of the grid. Generally, these points will occur at right angles or perpendicular points within the grid designed system. If different geometric designs are being used, the blocks are installed at strategic locations and both the track channel and track channel cover will be mitered accordingly. [0015]
By attaching a channel track with tapered flexible sides and a locking step to a supporting surface, the length of the channel can be extended to form the desired grid. By using a tapered flexible side shaped like a right-angled triangle and a channel with a short protruding flange to receive same, component parts snap together by means of a locking step. This locking step design is used to fasten the track channel cover to the track channel. [0016]
The flexible tapered sides of the channel track allow a channel track cover molding to snap into position over the channel track by means of a locking step. The channel track cover can be cut to the required length such that it butts up to the decorative blocks as dictated by the pattern of the grid. [0017]
Any touch-ups with a compatible material can be easily completed. If there gaps between the molding and the supporting surface due to uneven surfaces, appropriate caulking and other filler materials can be applied to close any gaps. Thus, a complete system of wall or ceiling moldings can be easily installed to a desired grid size with materials that are lightweight, consumer friendly and cost effective relative to other materials on the market. [0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS

FIG. 1 refers to a track channel of extended length ([0019] 1) having flexible tapered sides (2) whereby the track channel is attached to a supporting surface through a series of countersunk holes (3) that penetrate the surface of the track channel. The track channel cavity forms a conduit (4) for transporting wire and/or cable.
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an extended length of track channel ([0020] 1) with flexible sides (2) that is capable of transporting wire and/or cable and thereby acting as a conduit (4). It has a series of countersunk holes (3) for fastening said channel to a supporting surface.
FIG. 3 is a decorator block ([0021] 5) that has a counterbore (6) in the center of its exposed surface to allow fastening to a supporting surface.
FIG. 4 represents an cross section of an extended length of channel track cover ([0022] 7) that has a protrusion on opposite sides of its interior (8) such that the flexible sides of the track channel (1) forming a locking step (2) will snap or lock into position when the channel track cover is placed over the track channel (1) and the flexible sides (2) of said channel track are squeezed together thus allowing the snapping into position by means of a locking step.
FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an extended length of track channel cover ([0023] 7) illustrating the interior flanges (8) that act as a locking step.
FIG. 6 illustrates an extended length of track channel ([0024] 1) being anchored to a supporting surface by a fastener through a countersunk hole in its surface (3) and covered by a similar extended length of track channel cover (7) that has a protrusion on opposite sides of its interior (8) that allows the flexible sides of the track channel (1) to lock into position when the sides of the track channel (2) are compressed and the track channel cover (7) is placed over top and secured in position thus forming a locking step.
FIG. 7 is a cross-section of a completed portion of a grid. Decorator Block ([0025] 5) anchored to a supporting surface with a fastening device through a counterbore (6) at a predetermined point on a grid. An extended length of track channel (1) is attached to a supporting surface by using a fastening device through the countersunk holes (3) that penetrate the surface of said channel track. The area inside the tapered flexible sides (2) is designed to act as a conduit (4) for transporting wire and/or cable. The extended length of channel track cover (7) is cut to the exact size and snapped over the tapered flexible sides (2) of track channel (1) when these sides are compressed. The interior of the track channel cover has protruding flanges on opposite sides (8) that receive the flexible tapered sides (2) of the track channel to form a locking step. As a variant, a shallower version of said channel track cover (7) is used on walls as opposed to ceilings. The ceilings, being higher, use a version that is deeper to add definition to the grid system.
FIG. 8 is a front view of a partially completed grid system utilizing the component parts in a manner that illustrates how a finished grid would appear. A larger grid would be necessary to show multiples of said component parts. This figure illustrates the decorator blocks ([0026] 5), track channel (1), holes penetrating the surface of the track channel (3) and track channel cover (7).

LEGEND FOR FIGURES TO ASSIST IN DESCRIPTION

[0027] 1. Track Channel
[0028] 2. Flexible Tapered Sides of Track Channel
[0029] 3. Countersunk Holes in Track Channel
[0030] 4. Conduit Cavity
[0031] 5. Decorator Block
[0032] 6. Counterbore in Decorator block
[0033] 7. Track Channel Cover
[0034] 8. Interior Of Track Channel Cover With Protruding Flanges To Receive flexible Tapered Sides and Form a Locking Step

Claims

1. “What I claim as my invention is a locking step that allows decorative and wall moldings to fit together to form a grid system.”