US20220403671A1 - Molding pieces, molding piece removably engaging devices, kits and systems, and methods - Google Patents

Molding pieces, molding piece removably engaging devices, kits and systems, and methods Download PDF

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Publication number
US20220403671A1
US20220403671A1 US17/807,126 US202217807126A US2022403671A1 US 20220403671 A1 US20220403671 A1 US 20220403671A1 US 202217807126 A US202217807126 A US 202217807126A US 2022403671 A1 US2022403671 A1 US 2022403671A1
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Prior art keywords
molding piece
piece structure
groove
molding
magnetic element
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US17/807,126
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Kyle LaTray
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Individual
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F19/00—Other details of constructional parts for finishing work on buildings
    • E04F19/02—Borders; Finishing strips, e.g. beadings; Light coves
    • E04F19/04—Borders; Finishing strips, e.g. beadings; Light coves for use between floor or ceiling and wall, e.g. skirtings
    • E04F19/0481—Skirtings or crown mouldings with a separate cladding strip
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F19/00—Other details of constructional parts for finishing work on buildings
    • E04F19/02—Borders; Finishing strips, e.g. beadings; Light coves
    • E04F19/04—Borders; Finishing strips, e.g. beadings; Light coves for use between floor or ceiling and wall, e.g. skirtings
    • E04F19/0436—Borders; Finishing strips, e.g. beadings; Light coves for use between floor or ceiling and wall, e.g. skirtings between ceiling and wall
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F19/00—Other details of constructional parts for finishing work on buildings
    • E04F19/02—Borders; Finishing strips, e.g. beadings; Light coves
    • E04F19/04—Borders; Finishing strips, e.g. beadings; Light coves for use between floor or ceiling and wall, e.g. skirtings
    • E04F19/0459—Borders; Finishing strips, e.g. beadings; Light coves for use between floor or ceiling and wall, e.g. skirtings characterised by the fixing method
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F19/00—Other details of constructional parts for finishing work on buildings
    • E04F19/02—Borders; Finishing strips, e.g. beadings; Light coves
    • E04F19/04—Borders; Finishing strips, e.g. beadings; Light coves for use between floor or ceiling and wall, e.g. skirtings
    • E04F19/0459—Borders; Finishing strips, e.g. beadings; Light coves for use between floor or ceiling and wall, e.g. skirtings characterised by the fixing method
    • E04F19/0472—Plinths fixed by means of magnets, hook and loop-type or similar fasteners
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F19/00—Other details of constructional parts for finishing work on buildings
    • E04F19/02—Borders; Finishing strips, e.g. beadings; Light coves
    • E04F19/04—Borders; Finishing strips, e.g. beadings; Light coves for use between floor or ceiling and wall, e.g. skirtings
    • E04F19/0486—Corner filling pieces
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F19/00—Other details of constructional parts for finishing work on buildings
    • E04F19/02—Borders; Finishing strips, e.g. beadings; Light coves
    • E04F19/04—Borders; Finishing strips, e.g. beadings; Light coves for use between floor or ceiling and wall, e.g. skirtings
    • E04F2019/0454—Borders; Finishing strips, e.g. beadings; Light coves for use between floor or ceiling and wall, e.g. skirtings with decorative effects

Definitions

  • the present inventive subject matter is directed to components that can be used as molding (e.g., crown molding or chair rails) in homes, offices, hotels, hospitals, etc.
  • the present inventive subject matter is also directed to kits that comprise one or more of such components, systems that comprise one or more of such components, methods of making any of the components, kits and systems, and methods of installing any of the components and systems.
  • molding for use on walls and regions where surfaces meet (e.g., where a wall meets a ceiling or where a wall meets an adjacent wall) have been provided.
  • Such forms of molding can be used on or around any desired portions of structures (e.g., walls and ceilings), e.g., around the perimeter of a ceiling, horizontally along one or more walls, vertically, etc.
  • molding comprises a substantially uniform cross-sectional portion as well as intermittent features (e.g., a feature that is repeated along the length of the molding, such as being spaced a specific length on center).
  • Molding typically has a “length” dimension (in a direction that is perpendicular to the planes in which its cross-section is substantially uniform) that extends much longer than any other dimension of the molding (for example, as a purely representative example, a length of molding might extend 10 feet in a first direction, and its cross-sectional area in each plane perpendicular to the first direction is substantially uniform and is 5 square inches). Molding often comprises a “profile side” (e.g., a side that is visible from within a room after the molding is installed on a wall) and a “back side” (which is often flat or substantially flat, or that includes a region that is) that is (at least in some regions) in contact with the wall.
  • a “profile side” e.g., a side that is visible from within a room after the molding is installed on a wall
  • a “back side” which is often flat or substantially flat, or that includes a region that is) that is (at least in some regions) in contact with the wall.
  • an installer can make cuts in the molding such that the space between each end of the molding and the nearest intermittent feature is substantially the same. Such cutting usually requires two cuts, and leads to waste. In addition, in many such instances, the distance between an end of the molding and the nearest intermittent feature is not close to the distance between each intermittent feature and its nearest adjacent intermittent feature.
  • molding that comprises a substantially uniform cross-sectional portion as well as intermittent features, it is not possible to adjust the number of intermittent features on a stretch (length) of molding.
  • the present invention provides molding pieces and molding piece removably engagable devices that are configured to be used with each other to provide molding that comprises a substantially uniform cross-sectional portion as well as intermittent features, in which any of the intermittent features can easily be moved along a length dimension on the substantially uniform cross-section portion) relative to one another, any of the intermittent features can be easily removed, any intermittent feature can be easily inserted, and/or any intermittent feature can be easily replaced (with a similar intermittent feature or with an intermittent feature that has a different shape and/or size).
  • an element that comprises a substantially uniform cross-sectional portion in the form of a molding piece that comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element, in which:
  • the first groove is in the profile side of the molding piece structure.
  • the profile side is characterized in that a perimeter of an imaginary section of the piece of molding (perpendicular to its axis) comprises a back region and a profile region, the back region is substantially straight, and the profile region has a plurality of bends and/or curves.
  • a number of intermittent features are provided in the form of a number of molding piece removably engaging devices that each comprises a removably engaging device structure and a first element (the first element comprising at least one of a magnetic element and a magnet-adhering element).
  • the molding piece removably engaging devices are held securely to the molding piece, and the molding piece removably engaging devices are oriented precisely relative to the molding piece, while each of the molding piece removably engaging devices can easily be moved to another location where it is oriented precisely relative to the molding piece and held securely to the molding piece.
  • each of the molding piece removably engaging devices is in a particular orientation (e.g., the same radial orientation regardless of where along the length of the molding piece it is secured), and/or that each of a plurality of similar molding piece removably engaging pieces (spaced along the length of the molding piece) is in the same radial orientation (or a similar radial orientation), e.g., not all of the molding piece removably engaging pieces are necessarily similar.
  • a molding piece comprising:
  • a molding piece comprising:
  • a molding piece removably engaging device comprising:
  • a molding piece removably engaging device comprising:
  • a molding piece removably engaging device comprising:
  • a molding piece removably engaging device comprising:
  • molding that comprises a molding piece (e.g., 12 feet long) and a particular number of intermittent features (e.g., 8 intermittent features), in which the intermittent features can be spaced 16 inches on center (with the center of the intermittent feature closest to a first end of the molding piece spaced 16 inches from the first end, and the center of the intermittent feature closest to a second end of the molding piece spaced 16 inches from the second end.
  • a molding piece e.g., 12 feet long
  • intermittent features e.g., 8 intermittent features
  • intermittent features are spaced 12 inches on center
  • three more intermittent features can be provided, and the eleven intermittent features can be repositioned such that they are spaced 12 inches on center (with the center of the intermittent feature closest to a first end of the molding piece spaced 12 inches from the first end, and the center of the intermittent feature closest to a second end of the molding piece spaced 12 inches from the second end.
  • FIG. 1 schematically depicts a cross-section of a first embodiment of a molding piece 10 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 2 schematically depicts a cross-section of a second embodiment of a molding piece 20 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 3 schematically depicts a cross-section of a third embodiment of a molding piece 30 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 4 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fourth embodiment of a molding piece 40 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 5 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fifth embodiment of a molding piece 50 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 6 schematically depicts a cross-section of a sixth embodiment of a molding piece 60 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 7 schematically depicts a cross-section of a seventh embodiment of a molding piece 70 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the molding piece 10 depicted in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 9 schematically depicts a cross-section taken along an imaginary plane of substantial symmetry of a first embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 90 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 10 schematically depicts a cross-section of a second embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 100 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 11 schematically depicts a cross-section of a third embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 110 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 12 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fourth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 120 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 13 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fifth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 130 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 14 schematically depicts a cross-section of a sixth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 140 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 15 schematically depicts a cross-section of a seventh embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 150 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 16 schematically depicts a cross-section of an eighth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 160 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 17 schematically depicts a cross-section of a ninth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 170 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 18 schematically depicts a rear view (i.e., from the right in the orientation depicted in FIG. 12 ) of the molding piece removably engaging device 120 depicted in FIG. 12 .
  • FIG. 19 depicts a rear view of a tenth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 190 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 20 schematically depicts a cross-section of a first embodiment of a system 200 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 21 schematically depicts a cross-section of a second embodiment of a system 210 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 22 schematically depicts a cross-section of a third embodiment of a system 220 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 23 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fourth embodiment of a system 230 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 24 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fifth embodiment of a system 240 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 25 schematically depicts a cross-section of a sixth embodiment of a system 250 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 26 schematically depicts a cross-section of a seventh embodiment of a system 260 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 27 schematically depicts a cross-section of an eighth embodiment of a system 270 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 28 schematically depicts a cross-section of a ninth embodiment of a system 280 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the expression “comprises” or “comprising,” as used herein (e.g., in the expression “A molding piece, comprising: a molding piece structure; and at least a first magnetic element . . . ”), is used in accordance with its well known usage, and means that the item that “comprises” the recited elements (or that is “comprising” the recited elements) includes at least the recited elements, and can optionally include any additional elements.
  • an item that “comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element” includes at least one molding piece structure, and at least one magnetic element, i.e., it can include a single molding piece structure or a plurality of molding piece structures (and likewise can include a single magnetic element or a plurality of magnetic elements), and/or can include any additional element (e.g., not a molding piece structure of a magnetic element).
  • an element When an element is referred to herein as being “on” a surface of another element (e.g., in the expression “the magnetic element is on a surface of the molding piece structure”), it can be in direct contact or indirect contact with the other element (e.g., intervening elements may also be present). In contrast, when an element is referred to herein as being “directly on” a surface of another element, there are no intervening elements present.
  • in contact with means that the first structure that is in contact with a second structure is in direct contact with the second structure or is in indirect contact with the second structure.
  • in indirect contact with means that the first structure is not in direct contact with the second structure, but that there are a plurality of structures (including the first and second structures), and each of the plurality of structures is in direct contact with at least one other of the plurality of structures (e.g., the first and second structures are in a stack and are separated by one or more intervening layers).
  • direct contact means that the first structure that is “in direct contact” with a second structure is touching the second structure and there are no intervening structures between the first and second structures at least at some location.
  • first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements and/or components, these elements and/or components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element or component from another element or component. Thus, a first element or component discussed below could be termed a second element or component without departing from the teachings of the present inventive subject matter. Reference to a first type of component does not imply that there is necessarily a second of that type of component.
  • cross-sections . . . are substantially the same size and shape
  • each cross-section that is “substantially the same size and shape” could be made to be the identical size and shape of a first shape by removing a specific region or regions that in total comprise not more than about 10 percent of the area of the first shape and/or by adding a specific region or regions that in total comprise not more than about 10 percent of the area of the first shape.
  • the expression “in the groove” encompasses any arrangement where at least part of the structure that is “in the groove” is in a space defined by the groove, e.g., the expression “the first magnetic element is in the first groove” encompasses: an arrangement in which an entirety of the first magnetic element is in the groove and completely fills the groove, at least in the depth direction, i.e., in a direction corresponding to a direction in FIG. 2 extending from the front face of the first magnetic element 22 that faces away from the groove 23 to the opposite rear face of the first magnetic element, and not necessarily in a direction perpendicular to the two dimensional section shown in FIG.
  • an arrangement in which an entirety of the first magnetic element partially fills the groove at least in the depth direction (the depth direction being as noted above), i.e., it is within the groove but does not completely fill the groove at least in the depth direction; an arrangement in which an entirety of the first magnetic element partially fills the groove at least in the depth direction, and another element is in the groove (e.g., an element that covers the first magnetic element; an arrangement in which part of the first magnetic element completely fills the groove at least in the depth direction, and part of the first magnetic element extends to outside the groove; and an arrangement in which part of the first magnetic element partially fills the groove at least in the depth direction, and part of the first magnetic element extends to outside the groove.
  • the expression “at least partially in the . . . groove” as used herein encompasses any arrangement where at least part of the structure that is “at least partially in the . . . groove” is in the groove (and the structure optionally further comprises a part that is not in the groove).
  • substantially parallel as used herein in relation to two lines (e.g., in the expression “the first rib imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis”), means that the two lines are parallel (including that they are co-linear, i.e., they are the same), or that they diverge from each other by not more than 5 degrees.
  • substantially perpendicular as used herein in relation to a plane and an axis (e.g., in the expression “imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis”) means that the axis is perpendicular to the plane, or could be made perpendicular to the plane by tilting the axis by not more than 5 degrees.
  • adjacent means that the first and second structures are nearby each other, e.g., the first structure is abutting the second structure (or the first structure is otherwise in contact with the second structure) or that the first structure is spaced slightly from the second structure, or that no other structure is positioned between the first structure and the second structure, or that no other structure that is similar to the first structure or the second structure is positioned between the first structure and the second structure.
  • the expression “the first groove is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure” means that the first groove is near the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure, and/or that the first groove abuts the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure, and/or that the first groove is spaced slightly from the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure, and/or that no other structure is between the first groove and the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure, and/or that no other groove is between the first groove and the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure.
  • the groove is adjacent to the remainder of the first substantially flat surface.
  • substantially flat means that at least 90% of the points in the surface that is characterized as being substantially flat are located on one of or between a pair of planes that are parallel and that are spaced from each other by a distance of not more than 5% of the largest dimension of the surface.
  • substantially convex means that at least 90% of the points on the surface that is characterized as being substantially convex correspond to an imaginary convex surface.
  • substantially concave means that at least 90% of the points on the surface that is characterized as being substantially concave correspond to an imaginary concave surface.
  • imaging axis e.g., in the expression “the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure”
  • imaginary axis is used herein (in each case in relation to a structure, i.e., an imaginary axis of the structure) to refer to any imaginary line (or line segment) that is within the structure from a first end of the structure to a second end of the structure.
  • a structure in each such cross-section between the first end and the second end, the axis is within the structure and is in substantially the same location relative to the structure). Accordingly, a structure can have an “imaginary axis” even if the structure does not have a uniform cross-section, and even if the structure does not have symmetry. Where a structure has two planes of symmetry that are perpendicular to each other (e.g., a square cross-section), the structure has an imaginary axis at the intersection of the two planes of symmetry. Where a structure has an axis of radial symmetry, the axis of radial symmetry is an imaginary axis for the structure.
  • imaging plane of substantial symmetry (e.g., in the expression “the removably engaging device structure has at least a first imaginary plane of substantial symmetry”) is used herein (in each case in relation to a removably engaging device structure) to refer to an imaginary plane oriented such that a first portion of the removably engaging device structure to a first side of the imaginary plane is a mirror image, or could be made to be a mirror image, of a second portion of the removably engaging device structure to a second side of the imaginary plane by removing from the first portion of the removably engaging device structure a specific region or regions that in total comprise not more than about 10 percent of the volume of the first portion of the removably engaging device structure, and/or by adding to the first portion of the removably engaging device structure a specific region or regions that in total comprise not more than about 10 percent of the volume of the first portion of the removably engaging device structure.
  • the expression “spaced from . . . along a . . . line,” as used herein (e.g., in the expression “the first element is spaced from the second element along a first imaginary line that is substantially perpendicular to the first imaginary plane of substantial symmetry”) means that there exists at least one imaginary line [1] that is substantially perpendicular to the first imaginary plane of substantial symmetry, [2] that passes through the first element, and [3] that passes through the second element.
  • the imaginary line [1] passes through a center of gravity of the first element or within a distance from the center of gravity of the first element of not larger than 10% of a largest dimension of the first element, and [2] passes through a center of gravity of the second element or within a distance from the center of gravity of the second element of not larger than 10% of a largest dimension of the second element
  • region of a surface (e.g., in the expression “at least a first region of a surface of the molding piece structure is substantially flat”), as used herein, means that any point on the region can be reached by traveling through only other points on the region, i.e., the region can have any shape, and the region does not include any sub-regions that are isolated from other sub-regions. Accordingly, a region of a surface can surround a groove formed in the surface (and/or a region of a surface can surround a rib that protrudes from the surface), and in such situations, the groove may be adjacent to the region (and/or the rib may be adjacent to the region).
  • rounded refers to a limit on the degree of abruptness of an edge between a first surface and a second surface (e.g., the edge between a first wall and a second wall), i.e., within any span of 0.1 mm in a direction traverse to the edge, the curvature is not more than 0.3 radians (and in some instances, curvature is not more than 1.5 radians within a span of 0.02 mm, 0.04 mm, 0.06 mm, 0.08 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.8 mm, or 1.0 mm).
  • magnet-adhering element encompasses anything that is capable of being magnetically attracted to a magnetic element (i.e., ferromagnetic materials, e.g., iron, nickel, cobalt, or anything that contains iron, nickel and/or cobalt, such as steel).
  • ferromagnetic materials e.g., iron, nickel, cobalt, or anything that contains iron, nickel and/or cobalt, such as steel.
  • magnetic element encompasses anything that creates a magnetic field, e.g., a permanent magnet, that attracts magnetically-attractable elements.
  • magnetically adhered means that a magnet-adhering element that is “magnetically adhered” to a magnetic element is held in place relative to the magnetic element at least in part by the magnetic field of the magnetic element.
  • magnetic tape refers to material that is in the shape of tape (i.e., a very thin strand of material that is of substantially uniform width) and that creates a magnetic field.
  • protruding ribs and “grooves,” as well as instances where a protruding rib is positioned within a groove, and instances where a protruding rib is configured to be positioned within a groove.
  • Any reference to a rib can comprise a single continuous protruding structure (e.g., a structure that is substantially straight and that has a substantially uniform cross-section) or a discontinuous structure, e.g., plurality of protruding structures (e.g., a series of bumps that are within a space that would be defined by a single continuous protruding structure).
  • any reference to a groove can comprise a single continuous recessed structure (e.g., a structure that is substantially straight and that has a substantially uniform cross-section) or a discontinuous structure, e.g., plurality of recesses (e.g., a series of recesses that are within a space that would be defined by a single continuous recess).
  • a single continuous recessed structure e.g., a structure that is substantially straight and that has a substantially uniform cross-section
  • a discontinuous structure e.g., plurality of recesses (e.g., a series of recesses that are within a space that would be defined by a single continuous recess).
  • a protruding rib is positioned within a recess (or is configured to be positioned within a recess)
  • the protruding rib and the recess are complementary (e.g., a single continuous rib fits within a single continuous groove, a series of bumps fits within a series of recesses, etc.).
  • “Grooves” and “ribs” as described herein, are distinguished from mere surface anomalies or gradual contours. Depth of a groove, width of a groove, height of a rib and/or width of a rib can be described herein in each instance in relation to an imaginary plane (a “tangential plane”) that is tangential to a surface in which the groove is formed or from which a rib protrudes, and in relation to an imaginary line that is perpendicular to the tangential plane. Depth, width, and height in such descriptions are relative, and the direction in which they extend depends upon the orientation of the structure of which they are a part.
  • a width of a groove is defined herein as a distance from a point (on a surface of a structure in which the groove is formed) on an edge of a groove to the nearest point (on the same surface or on another surface of the structure) on an opposite edge of the groove.
  • a width of a rib is defined herein as a distance from a point (on a surface of a structure in which the groove is formed) adjacent to the rib to the nearest point (on the same surface or on another surface of the structure) on an opposite side of the rib.
  • a depth of a groove is defined herein as a distance, along an imaginary axis perpendicular to the tangential plane of the surface in which the groove is formed, from [1] a point along an imaginary line segment extending from a point on one edge of the groove to a point on the opposite edge of the groove, to [2] a point on a surface of the groove that is farthest from the tangential plane.
  • a height of a rib is defined herein as a distance, along an imaginary axis perpendicular to the tangential plane of the surface from which the rib protrudes, from [1] a point along an imaginary line segment extending from a point (on the surface) adjacent to one side of the rib to a point (on the surface) adjacent to an opposite side of the rib, to [2] a point on a surface of the rib that is farthest from the tangential plane.
  • the width of the groove is at least 1 mm
  • the depth of the groove is at least 10 percent of the width of the groove (and in some embodiments, at least 20 percent, in some embodiments, at least 30 percent, in some embodiments, at least 40 percent, in some embodiments, at least 50 percent, in some embodiments, at least 60 percent, in some embodiments, at least 70 percent, in some embodiments, at least 80 percent, in some embodiments, at least 90 percent, in some embodiments, at least 100 percent).
  • the width of the rib is at least 1 mm
  • the height of the rib is at least 10 percent of the width of the rib (and in some embodiments, at least 20 percent, in some embodiments, at least 30 percent, in some embodiments, at least 40 percent, in some embodiments, at least 50 percent, in some embodiments, at least 60 percent, in some embodiments, at least 70 percent, in some embodiments, at least 80 percent, in some embodiments, at least 90 percent, in some embodiments, at least 100 percent).
  • the rib fits snugly or tightly within the groove, whereby the component that comprises the rib cannot be rotated (while at least part of the rib remains within the groove) relative to an imaginary line perpendicular to an imaginary tangential plane (i.e., a plane that is tangential to a surface in which the groove is formed or from which the rib protrudes) by more than 10 degrees, and in some embodiments, by more than 9 degrees, by more than 8 degrees, by more than 7 degrees, by more than 6 degrees, by more than 5 degrees, by more than 4 degrees, by more than 3 degrees, by more than 2 degrees, by more than 1 degree.
  • an imaginary tangential plane i.e., a plane that is tangential to a surface in which the groove is formed or from which the rib protrudes
  • the fit is sufficiently snug or tight that the molding piece removably engaging device cannot be rotated (while at least part of the first magnetic element or the first element remains within the groove) relative to an imaginary line perpendicular to an imaginary tangential plane (i.e., a plane that is tangential to a surface in which the groove is formed or from which the first magnetic element or the first element protrudes) by more than 10 degrees, and in some embodiments, by more than 9 degrees, by more than 8 degrees, by more than 7 degrees, by more than 6 degrees, by more than 5 degrees, by more than 4 degrees, by more than 3 degrees,
  • the rib(s) and/or the groove(s) can be of any desired cross-section.
  • complementary ribs and grooves are tapered (e.g., V-shaped) to assist in bringing components into proper alignment.
  • a molding piece comprising:
  • the molding piece structure imaginary axis is in the same relative location in each of said cross-sections.
  • cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape, and in some of such embodiments:
  • a first point on the first magnetic element is spaced from a second point on the first magnetic element by a distance that is at least 80 percent of the distance along the molding piece structure imaginary axis from the first end of the molding piece structure to the second end of the molding piece structure.
  • the molding piece structure comprises wood and/or composite.
  • the molding piece structure further comprises a second groove.
  • a molding piece comprising:
  • the molding piece structure imaginary axis is in the same relative location in each of said cross-sections.
  • a first point on the first magnetic element is spaced from a second point on the first magnetic element by a distance that is at least 80 percent of the distance along the molding piece structure imaginary axis from the first end of the molding piece structure to the second end of the molding piece structure.
  • the molding piece structure comprises at least one material selected from among wood materials and composite materials.
  • the first magnetic element is on a surface of the molding piece structure.
  • the first magnetic element comprises magnetic tape.
  • the molding piece structure further comprises at least a first groove.
  • a molding piece comprising:
  • the molding piece structure imaginary axis is in the same relative location in each of said cross-sections.
  • cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape for a distance that is at least 80 percent of the distance along the molding piece structure imaginary axis from the first end of the molding piece structure to the second end of the molding piece structure.
  • a first point on the first magnetic element is spaced from a second point on the first magnetic element by a distance that is at least 80 percent of the distance from the first end of the molding piece structure to the second end of the molding piece structure.
  • the molding piece structure comprises wood and/or composite.
  • the first magnetic element comprises magnetic tape.
  • a molding piece removably engaging device comprising:
  • the first element comprises magnetic tape.
  • At least a first region of a surface of the removably engaging device structure is substantially flat, and the first element is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure, and in some of such embodiments, a surface area of the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure is at least 10 percent of a surface area of an entirety of the removably engaging device structure.
  • At least a first region of a surface of the removably engaging device structure is substantially concave, and the first element is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure, and in some of such embodiments, a surface area of the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure is at least 10 percent of a surface area of an entirety of the removably engaging device structure.
  • At least a first region of a surface of the removably engaging device structure is substantially convex, and the first element is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure, and in some of such embodiments, a surface area of the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure is at least 10 percent of a surface area of an entirety of the removably engaging device structure.
  • the first element comprises first, second and third walls
  • the second wall is substantially perpendicular to the first wall
  • the third wall is substantially perpendicular to the second wall, and in some of such embodiments, an edge between the first wall and the second wall is rounded, and an edge between the second wall and the third wall is rounded.
  • the first element is on a first surface of the removably engaging device structure, and the first element protrudes from the first surface of the removably engaging device structure.
  • the removably engaging device structure comprises wood and/or composite.
  • the removably engaging device structure has at least a first imaginary plane of substantial symmetry, and the first element imaginary axis is substantially perpendicular to the first imaginary plane of substantial symmetry,
  • a molding piece removably engaging device comprising:
  • the removably engaging device further comprises at least a first rib, the first rib has a first rib imaginary axis, and the first rib imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis, and in some of such embodiments:
  • the removably engaging device further comprises at least a first groove, the first groove has a first groove imaginary axis, and the first groove imaginary axis is substantially parallel to an imaginary axis of the first element, and in some of such embodiments:
  • the removably engaging device structure comprises wood and/or composite.
  • a molding piece removably engaging device comprising:
  • the first element comprises magnetic tape.
  • the first rib comprises first, second and third walls, the second wall is substantially perpendicular to the first wall, and the third wall is substantially perpendicular to the second wall, and in some of such embodiments, an edge between the first wall and the second wall is rounded, and an edge between the second wall and the third wall is rounded.
  • a molding piece removably engaging device comprising:
  • the first element comprises magnetic tape.
  • the removably engaging device further comprises a second groove, and the first element is at least partially in the second groove.
  • the first groove is defined by first, second and third walls, the second wall is substantially perpendicular to the first wall, and the third wall is substantially perpendicular to the second wall, and in some of such embodiments, an edge between the first wall and the second wall is rounded, and an edge between the second wall and the third wall is rounded.
  • a ninth aspect of the present inventive subject matter there is provided a system comprising:
  • a system comprising:
  • kits comprising:
  • kit comprising:
  • kit comprising:
  • kit comprising:
  • kit comprising:
  • kit comprising:
  • kit comprising:
  • kit comprising:
  • kit comprising:
  • kit comprising:
  • kit comprising:
  • kit comprising:
  • kit comprising:
  • kits that comprise any of the kits described herein, together with any suitable packaging (any such kit can comprise packaging with one or more (or all) of the components of the kit inside and/or attached to the packaging.
  • any suitable or desired packaging can be provided.
  • packaging can cover any portion or portions of the components, e.g., packaging can comprise a strap or a loop (e.g., of plastic, twine, cardboard, etc.,) that wraps around components; or packaging can cover four orthogonal sides of a plurality of components (i.e., two or more components); or packaging can cover four orthogonal sides of the components plus portions (e.g., perimeters) of the two other orthogonal sides of the components; or packaging can be a band engaged with or attached to the components (e.g., a substantially flat band that engages or is attached to respective single sides of the components, e.g., with adhesive, screws, staples, etc.), or such a band that is curled up after being attached to the components or as it is being attached to the components; or packaging can completely surround or substantially completely surround the components (e.g., plastic, cardboard, etc.).
  • a strap or a loop e.g., of plastic, twine, cardboard, etc.
  • a method of making a molding piece comprising removing material from a starting structure, and/or molding material, to render the molding piece.
  • a method of making a molding piece removably engaging device comprising removing material from a starting structure, and/or molding material, to render the molding piece removably engaging device.
  • the molding piece structure in any embodiment in accordance with the present inventive subject matter can be made of any suitable material or materials, for example, representative materials that can be used include wood (e.g., pine, cedar, oak, cherry, ash, poplar, etc.), composite (e.g., composite wood, reinforced plastics, such as fiberglass, ceramic matrix composites, metal matrix composites), plastic, metal, etc.
  • the molding piece(s) is/are substantially stiff, but in some cases, the molding piece(s) can be flexible.
  • the molding piece structure can be of generally any desired size.
  • the molding piece structure can have any desired shape.
  • a molding piece structure has a substantially uniform cross-section, i.e., the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through a first end of the molding piece structure and a second end of the molding piece structure, and cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape.
  • such cross-sections of the molding piece structure can be of any desired shape.
  • crown molding piece structures comprise [1] a first substantially flat surface (to be positioned against a ceiling), [2] a second substantially flat surface (to be positioned against a wall) and [3] a surface that [a] extends generally diagonally from the edge of the first substantially flat surface that is farthest from the second substantially flat surface to the edge of the second substantially flat surface that is farthest from the first substantially flat surface, and that [b] comprises one or more contoured regions (e.g., gently curving along the imaginary planes described above), and/or one or more laterally aligned edges, grooves and/or protrusions.
  • contoured regions e.g., gently curving along the imaginary planes described above
  • chair rail molding piece structures comprise [1] a first substantially flat surface (to be positioned against a wall), and [2] a surface that [a] extends generally in a “D-shape” from a first lateral edge of the first substantially flat surface to a second lateral edge of the first substantially flat surface, and that [b] comprises one or more contoured regions (e.g., gently curving along the imaginary planes described above), and/or one or more laterally aligned edges, grooves and/or protrusions.
  • contoured regions e.g., gently curving along the imaginary planes described above
  • Molding piece removably engaging devices in accordance with the present inventive subject matter can be of any suitable desired size and shape.
  • removably engaging devices have a plane of substantial symmetry, and the removably engaging devices are arranged such that their planes of substantial symmetry are oriented vertically and substantially at right angles to the molding piece structure imaginary axis.
  • the removably engaging device has first and second major dimensions and a much smaller third dimension, and the removably engaging device is configured such that when its first element is magnetically adhered to the magnetic element of the molding piece, the third dimension is in an imaginary plane that is substantially perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis.
  • molding pieces in devices in accordance with the present inventive subject matter each comprise at least a first magnetic element.
  • the first element (and the second element, in embodiments that have a second element) of a molding piece removably engaging device in accordance with the present inventive subject matter can be a magnetic element and/or a magnet-adhering element.
  • magnetic element encompasses anything that creates a magnetic field, e.g., a permanent magnet.
  • a magnetic element (for use in any of the aspects described herein) can consist essentially of (or consist of) a single magnetic material, can consist essentially of (or consist of) two or more magnetic materials, can comprise one or more magnetic materials, can consist essentially of (or consist of) one or more magnetic materials and one or more non-magnetic materials, can comprise one or more magnetic materials and one or more non-magnetic materials, etc.
  • a variety of magnetic materials are well known, including permanent magnets (e.g., made of naturally magnetic forms of iron or alloys), such as neodymium iron boron (also known as “neodymium magnets”), samarium cobalt, alnico, ceramic and ferrite magnets (strontium-iron), electromagnets and temporary magnets.
  • permanent magnets e.g., made of naturally magnetic forms of iron or alloys
  • neodymium iron boron also known as “neodymium magnets”
  • samarium cobalt alnico
  • ceramic and ferrite magnets ferrite magnets
  • electromagnets electromagnets
  • temporary magnets e.g., electromagnets and temporary magnets.
  • Many magnetic elements that comprise iron are coated (e.g., with nickel, or plated with a layer of nickel, a layer of copper and a second layer of nickel, and/or with a rubber material) to protect iron in the magnetic material from
  • two or more magnetic elements can be used in place of any individual magnetic element described herein.
  • Magnetic elements can be obtained in a variety of shapes. Any suitable shape can be employed, and where two or more magnetic elements are employed, the magnetic elements can be of the same general shape or of differing shapes (or some can be of the same general shape).
  • Magnetic elements can be selected based (at least in part) on their rated magnetic strengths.
  • the magnetic element (or, where more than one magnetic element is included, each magnetic element) should be chosen so as to have magnetic strength that is sufficient to hold the structure or structures sought to be held in place.
  • Magnetic strength is reduced if a component is between a magnetic element and a magnet-adhering element.
  • magnetic strength is affected by the number of magnetic elements and (where two or more magnetic elements are used) the positional arrangement and orientation of the magnetic elements relative to each other.
  • one or more flexible magnetic elements is/are used as a magnetic element.
  • the flexible magnetic element (or elements) comprises magnetic powder (e.g., powdered ferrite) and a plastic or rubber bonding agent.
  • magnetic powder e.g., powdered ferrite
  • plastic or rubber bonding agent e.g., polymethyl methacrylate
  • Such magnets can be made in any suitable way, e.g., by mixing and heating magnetic powder and bonding agent, and extruding the mixture or pouring the mixture into a mold. In the case of molding, in some instances, the heated mixture is exposed to a strong magnetic field (thereby providing alternating north and south poles), and then the bonding agent is cooled.
  • the magnetic element(s) is/are readily cuttable.
  • a contractor or other person installing molding
  • magnet-adhering element encompasses anything that is attracted by a magnetic element, e.g., a metal plate.
  • a magnet-adhering element for use in any of the aspects described herein can consist essentially of (or consist of) a single magnet-adhering material, can consist essentially of (or consist of) two or more magnet-adhering materials, can comprise one or more magnet-adhering materials, can consist essentially of (or consist of) one or more magnet-adhering materials and one or more non-magnet-adhering materials, can comprise one or more magnet-adhering materials and one or more non-magnet-adhering materials, etc.
  • Magnet-adhering elements can be in any of a variety of shapes. Any suitable shape can be employed.
  • magnet-adhering elements have at least one substantially flat surface, e.g., a suitable magnet-adhering element can be a substantially flat rectangular shape (for example, a representative magnet-adhering element is of a six-sided orthorhombic shape, comprising four long, flat rectangular surfaces (top, bottom, front and rear), approximately of identical size and shape, and two (side) surfaces (each having small dimensions extending between the flat rectangular surfaces).
  • a magnet-adhering element can be selected to have sufficient mass that (based on the arrangement of elements and the characteristics of the magnetic element(s) employed) it magnetically adheres to the magnetic element(s) with sufficient force to hold the device in place to a desired degree.
  • the magnetic element(s) are readily paintable.
  • FIG. 1 schematically depicts a cross-section of a first embodiment of a molding piece 10 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the molding piece 10 comprises a molding piece structure 11 and a first magnetic element 12 .
  • the first magnetic element 12 is positioned within a groove 13 in the molding piece structure 11 .
  • an entirety of the first magnetic element 12 partially fills the groove 13 , i.e., the first magnetic element 12 is within the groove 13 but does not completely fill the groove 13 , at least in the depth direction.
  • the molding piece structure 11 has a molding piece structure imaginary axis 14 that extends perpendicularly to the plane of FIG. 1 (i.e., the molding piece structure imaginary axis 14 extends perpendicularly into and out of the page). Cross-sections of the molding piece structure 11 along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis 14 are substantially the same size and shape.
  • the length of the molding piece structure 11 i.e., its dimension along the molding piece structure imaginary axis 14
  • the length of the first magnetic element 12 i.e., its dimension along the molding piece structure imaginary axis 14
  • the length of the first magnetic element is less than the length of the molding piece structure, e.g., at each end of the molding piece structure, the end of the magnetic element does not extend to the end of the molding piece structure, e.g., there is a short distance (such as 2 to 4 inches) from each end of the molding piece structure where there is no magnetic element.
  • the molding piece structure 11 is in the form of crown molding and has a cross-sectional shape as depicted in FIG. 1 .
  • other embodiments of molding pieces in accordance with the present inventive subject matter have molding piece structures that have cross-sections that differ from the cross-section depicted in FIGS. 1 - 7 , i.e., molding piece structures in accordance with the present inventive subject matter can have any desired cross-section.
  • the groove 13 is defined by a first wall 17 , a second wall 18 and a third wall 19 .
  • the second wall 18 is substantially perpendicular to the first wall 17
  • the third wall 19 is substantially perpendicular to the second wall 18 .
  • FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the molding piece 10 depicted in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 8 shows the first end 15 of the molding piece structure 11 and the second end 16 of the molding piece structure 11 .
  • FIG. 2 schematically depicts a cross-section of a second embodiment of a molding piece 20 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the molding piece 20 comprises a molding piece structure 21 and a first magnetic element 22 .
  • the first magnetic element 22 is positioned within a groove 23 in the molding piece structure 21 .
  • an entirety of the first magnetic element 22 is in the groove and completely fills the groove 23 , at least in the depth direction.
  • the molding piece structure 21 has a molding piece structure imaginary axis 24 that extends perpendicularly to the plane of FIG. 2 .
  • Cross-sections of the molding piece structure 21 along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis 24 are substantially the same size and shape.
  • the length of the molding piece structure 21 can be any desired length.
  • the length of the first magnetic element 22 is likewise any desired length.
  • FIG. 3 schematically depicts a cross-section of a third embodiment of a molding piece 30 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the molding piece 30 comprises a molding piece structure 31 and a first magnetic element 32 .
  • the first magnetic element 32 is positioned within a groove 33 in the molding piece structure 31 .
  • part of the first magnetic element 32 completely fills the groove 33 at least in the depth direction, and part of the first magnetic element 32 extends to outside the groove 33 .
  • the molding piece structure 31 has a molding piece structure imaginary axis 34 that extends perpendicularly to the plane of FIG. 3 .
  • Cross-sections of the molding piece structure 31 along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis 34 are substantially the same size and shape.
  • the length of the molding piece structure 31 can be any desired length, and the length of the first magnetic element 32 is likewise any desired length.
  • FIG. 4 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fourth embodiment of a molding piece 40 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the molding piece 40 comprises a molding piece structure 41 and a first magnetic element 42 .
  • the first magnetic element 42 is positioned within a groove 43 in the molding piece structure 41 .
  • part of the first magnetic element 42 partially fills the groove 43 , at least in the depth direction (i.e., a part 45 of the groove 43 is empty) and part of the first magnetic element 42 extends to outside the groove 43 .
  • the molding piece structure 41 has a molding piece structure imaginary axis 44 that extends perpendicularly to the plane of FIG. 4 .
  • Cross-sections of the molding piece structure 41 along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis 44 are substantially the same size and shape.
  • the length of the molding piece structure 41 can be any desired length, and the length of the first magnetic element 42 is likewise any desired length.
  • FIG. 5 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fifth embodiment of a molding piece 50 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the molding piece 50 comprises a molding piece structure 51 and a first magnetic element 52 .
  • the first magnetic element 52 is on a surface 55 of the molding piece structure 51 .
  • the molding piece structure 51 has a molding piece structure imaginary axis 54 that extends perpendicularly to the plane of FIG. 5 .
  • Cross-sections of the molding piece structure 51 along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis 54 are substantially the same size and shape.
  • the length of the molding piece structure 51 can be any desired length, and the length of the first magnetic element 52 is likewise any desired length.
  • FIG. 6 schematically depicts a cross-section of a sixth embodiment of a molding piece 60 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the molding piece 60 comprises a molding piece structure 61 , a first magnetic element 62 and a protruding rib 65 .
  • the first magnetic element 62 is in the form of magnetic tape.
  • the molding piece structure 61 has a molding piece structure imaginary axis 64 that extends perpendicularly to the plane of FIG. 6 .
  • Cross-sections of the molding piece structure 61 along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis 64 are substantially the same size and shape.
  • the length of the molding piece structure 61 can be any desired length, and the length of the first magnetic element 62 is likewise any desired length.
  • the protruding rib 65 comprises a first wall 67 , a second wall 68 and a third wall 69 .
  • the second wall 68 is substantially perpendicular to the first wall 67
  • the third wall 69 is substantially perpendicular to the second wall 68 .
  • FIG. 7 schematically depicts a cross-section of a seventh embodiment of a molding piece 70 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the molding piece 70 comprises a molding piece structure 71 , a first magnetic element 72 and a groove 75 .
  • the first magnetic element 72 is in the form of magnetic tape.
  • the molding piece structure 71 has a molding piece structure imaginary axis 74 that extends perpendicularly to the plane of FIG. 7 .
  • Cross-sections of the molding piece structure 71 along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape.
  • the length of the molding piece structure 71 can be any desired length, and the length of the first magnetic element 72 is likewise any desired length.
  • the groove 75 is defined by a first wall 77 , a second wall 78 and a third wall 79 .
  • the second wall 78 is substantially perpendicular to the first wall 77
  • the third wall 79 is substantially perpendicular to the second wall 78 .
  • FIG. 9 schematically depicts a cross-section taken along an imaginary plane of substantial symmetry of a first embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 90 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 90 comprises a removably engaging device structure 91 and a first element 92 .
  • the first element 92 is positioned within a groove 93 in the removably engaging device structure 91 .
  • an entirety of the first element 92 is in the groove 93 and completely fills the groove 93 , at least in the depth direction.
  • the first element 92 has a first element imaginary axis 94 .
  • removably engaging device structures in accordance with the present inventive subject matter have removably engaging device structures that have cross-sections that differ from the cross-section depicted in FIGS. 9 - 17 , i.e., removably engaging device structures in accordance with the present inventive subject matter can have any desired cross-section.
  • Removably engaging device structures in accordance with the present inventive subject matter can have any desired overall shape and size.
  • FIG. 10 schematically depicts a cross-section of a second embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 100 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 100 comprises a removably engaging device structure 101 and a first element 102 .
  • the first element 102 is positioned within a groove 103 in the removably engaging device structure 101 .
  • an entirety of the first element 102 is in the groove 103 and partially fills the groove 103 , at least in the depth direction.
  • the first element 102 has a first element imaginary axis 104 .
  • FIG. 11 schematically depicts a cross-section of a third embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 110 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 110 comprises a removably engaging device structure 111 and a first element 112 .
  • the first element 112 is positioned within a groove 113 in the removably engaging device structure 111 .
  • part of the first element 112 completely fills the groove 113 , at least in the depth direction, and part of the first element 112 extends to outside the groove 113 .
  • the first element 112 has a first element imaginary axis 114 .
  • FIG. 12 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fourth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 120 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 120 comprises a removably engaging device structure 121 and a first element 122 .
  • the first element 122 is on a surface of the removably engaging device structure 121 .
  • the first element 122 has a first element imaginary axis 124 .
  • FIG. 18 schematically depicts a rear view (i.e., from the right in the orientation depicted in FIG. 12 ) of the molding piece removably engaging device 120 depicted in FIG. 12 .
  • FIG. 13 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fifth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 130 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 130 comprises a removably engaging device structure 131 and a first element 132 .
  • the first element 132 is in the form of magnetic tape (or a thin strip of metal).
  • FIG. 14 schematically depicts a cross-section of a sixth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 140 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 140 comprises a removably engaging device structure 141 and a first element 142 .
  • the first element 142 is positioned within a groove 143 in the removably engaging device structure 141 .
  • an entirety of the first element 142 is in the groove 143 and completely fills the groove 143 , at least in the depth direction.
  • the first element 142 has a first element imaginary axis 144 .
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 140 also comprises a protruding rib 145 which has a rib imaginary axis 146 which is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis 144 .
  • the protruding rib 145 comprises a first wall 147 , a second wall 148 and a third wall 149 .
  • the second wall 148 is substantially perpendicular to the first wall 147
  • the third wall 149 is substantially perpendicular to the second wall 148 .
  • FIG. 15 schematically depicts a cross-section of a seventh embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 150 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 150 comprises a removably engaging device structure 151 and a first element 152 .
  • the first element 152 is in the form of magnetic tape (or a thin strip of metal).
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 150 also comprises a protruding rib 155 which has a rib imaginary axis 156 .
  • the protruding rib 155 comprises a first wall 157 , a second wall 158 and a third wall 159 .
  • the second wall 158 is substantially perpendicular to the first wall 157
  • the third wall 159 is substantially perpendicular to the second wall 158 .
  • FIG. 16 schematically depicts a cross-section of an eighth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 160 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 160 comprises a removably engaging device structure 161 and a first element 162 .
  • the first element 162 is positioned within a first groove 163 in the removably engaging device structure 161 .
  • an entirety of the first element 162 is in the first groove 163 and completely fills the first groove 163 , at least in the depth direction.
  • the first element 162 has a first element imaginary axis 164 .
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 160 also comprises a second groove 165 which has a second groove imaginary axis 166 that is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis 164 .
  • the groove 165 is defined by a first wall 167 , a second wall 168 and a third wall 169 .
  • the second wall 168 is substantially perpendicular to the first wall 167
  • the third wall 169 is substantially perpendicular to the second wall 168 .
  • FIG. 17 schematically depicts a cross-section of a ninth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 170 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 170 comprises a removably engaging device structure 171 and a first element 172 .
  • the first element 172 is in the form of magnetic tape (or a thin strip of metal).
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 170 also comprises a groove 175 .
  • FIG. 19 depicts a rear view of a tenth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 190 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 190 comprises a removably engaging device structure 191 , a first element 192 and a second element 196 .
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 190 also comprises a protruding rib 195 (or a recessed groove).
  • Each of the first element 192 and the second element 196 comprises at least one of a magnetic element and a magnet-adhering element.
  • the protruding rib 195 has a first rib imaginary axis 197 .
  • the removably engaging device structure 190 has at least a first imaginary plane of substantial symmetry 198 , and the first element 192 is spaced from the second element 196 along a first imaginary line 199 that is substantially perpendicular to the first imaginary plane of substantial symmetry 198 .
  • the first imaginary line 199 is substantially parallel to the first rib imaginary axis 197 .
  • each of the first through ninth embodiments of molding piece removably engaging devices discussed above can be any view consistent with their cross-sectional views.
  • the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of molding piece removably engaging devices can be configured such that their rear views are as shown in FIG. 18 ;
  • the fifth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device can be configured such that its rear view is as shown in FIG. 18 , or as shown in FIG.
  • the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth embodiments of molding piece removably engaging devices can be configured such that their rear views are as shown in FIG. 18 , except that there is an additional elongated rectangular region (corresponding to the rib of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 or the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 , or the second groove of the embodiment shown in FIG. 16 , or the groove of the embodiment shown in FIG. 17 ) that has a horizontal axis that is substantially parallel to the horizontal axis of the region 122 shown in FIG. 18 .
  • any first element in the embodiments of molding piece removably engaging devices can be replaced by two or more first elements, e.g., an elongated rectangular first element having a horizontal axis can be replaced by a pair of elongated rectangular first elements arranged end-to-end, with each elongated rectangular first element having a horizontal axis along the same line, or an elongated rectangular first element can be replaced by two or more elements of any shape, in which a horizontal line extends through a portion of each of the elements (such as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 19 , where two circular elements are arranged such that the imaginary line 199 extends through both of the circular elements.
  • Systems in accordance with the present inventive subject matter can comprise any combination of molding pieces as disclosed herein and molding piece removably engaging devices as disclosed herein. In some embodiments, there is both magnetic adherence and physical engagement between the molding piece and the molding piece removably engaging devices.
  • there is at least one structure on the molding piece that is magnetically adhered to at least one structure on the molding piece removably engaging device i.e., a magnet/magnet-adhering element adherence or a magnet/magnet adherence
  • at least one structure on the molding piece differct from the structure that is magnetically adhered
  • physically engages with at least one structure on the molding piece also distinct from the structure that is magnetically adhered
  • a groove and a rib or a series of bumps and/or recesses on one and a complementary series of bumps and/or recesses on the other.
  • FIG. 20 schematically depicts a cross-section of a first embodiment of a system 200 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the system 200 comprises a molding piece 201 and a molding piece removably engaging device 202 .
  • the molding piece 201 comprises a molding piece structure 203 and a first magnetic element 204 in a groove 205 in the molding piece structure 203 .
  • An entirety of the first magnetic element 204 partially fills the groove 205 , at least in the depth direction, i.e., the first magnetic element 204 is within the groove 205 but does not completely fill the groove 205 .
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 202 comprises a removably engaging device structure 206 and a first element 207 .
  • the first element 207 is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element 204 .
  • FIG. 21 schematically depicts a cross-section of a second embodiment of a system 210 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the system 210 comprises a molding piece 211 and a molding piece removably engaging device 212 .
  • the molding piece 211 comprises a molding piece structure 213 and a first magnetic element 214 in a groove 215 in the molding piece structure 213 .
  • An entirety of the first magnetic element 214 partially fills the groove 215 at least in the depth direction, i.e., the first magnetic element 214 is within the groove 215 but does not completely fill the groove 215 , at least in the depth direction.
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 212 comprises a removably engaging device structure 216 and a first element 217 .
  • the first element 217 is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element 214 .
  • FIG. 22 schematically depicts a cross-section of a third embodiment of a system 220 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the system 220 comprises a molding piece 221 and a molding piece removably engaging device 222 .
  • the molding piece 221 comprises a molding piece structure 223 and a first magnetic element 224 in a groove 225 in the molding piece structure 223 .
  • Part of the first magnetic element 224 completely fills the groove 225 , at least in the depth direction, and part of the first magnetic element 224 extends to outside the groove 225 .
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 222 comprises a removably engaging device structure 226 and a first element 227 .
  • the first element 227 is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element 224 .
  • FIG. 23 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fourth embodiment of a system 230 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the system 230 comprises a molding piece 231 and a molding piece removably engaging device 232 .
  • the molding piece 231 comprises a molding piece structure 233 and a first magnetic element 234 in a groove 235 in the molding piece structure 233 .
  • Part of the first magnetic element 234 partially fills the groove 235 , at least in the depth direction, and part of the first magnetic element 234 extends to outside the groove 235 .
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 232 comprises a removably engaging device structure 236 and a first element 237 .
  • the first element 237 is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element 234 .
  • FIG. 24 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fifth embodiment of a system 240 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the system 240 comprises a molding piece 241 and a molding piece removably engaging device 242 .
  • the molding piece 241 comprises a molding piece structure 243 and a first magnetic element 244 on a surface of the molding piece structure 243 .
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 242 comprises a removably engaging device structure 246 and a first element 247 .
  • the first element 247 is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element 244 .
  • FIG. 25 schematically depicts a cross-section of a sixth embodiment of a system 250 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the system 250 comprises a molding piece 251 and a molding piece removably engaging device 252 .
  • the molding piece 251 comprises a molding piece structure 253 , a first magnetic element 254 on a surface of the molding piece structure 253 , and a groove 258 .
  • the first magnetic element 254 is in the form of magnetic tape.
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 252 comprises a removably engaging device structure 256 , a first element 257 , and a protruding rib 259 .
  • the first element 257 is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element 254 , and the protruding rib 259 is positioned within the groove 258 .
  • FIG. 26 schematically depicts a cross-section of a seventh embodiment of a system 260 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the system 260 comprises a molding piece 261 and a molding piece removably engaging device 262 .
  • the molding piece 261 comprises a molding piece structure 263 , a first magnetic element 264 on a surface of the molding piece structure 263 , and a groove 268 .
  • the first magnetic element 264 is in the form of magnetic tape.
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 262 comprises a removably engaging device structure 266 , a first element 267 , and a protruding rib 269 .
  • the first element 267 is in the form of magnetic tape.
  • the first element 267 is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element 264 , and the protruding rib 269 is positioned within the groove 268 .
  • FIG. 27 schematically depicts a cross-section of an eighth embodiment of a system 270 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the system 270 comprises a molding piece 271 and a molding piece removably engaging device 272 .
  • the molding piece 271 comprises a molding piece structure 273 , a first magnetic element 274 on a surface of the molding piece structure 273 , and a protruding rib 278 .
  • the first magnetic element 274 is in the form of magnetic tape.
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 272 comprises a removably engaging device structure 276 , a first element 277 , and a groove 279 .
  • the first element 277 is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element 274 , and the protruding rib 278 is positioned within the groove 279 .
  • FIG. 28 schematically depicts a cross-section of a ninth embodiment of a system 280 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • the system 280 comprises a molding piece 281 and a molding piece removably engaging device 282 .
  • the molding piece 281 comprises a molding piece structure 283 , a first magnetic element 284 on a surface of the molding piece structure 283 , and a protruding rib 288 .
  • the first magnetic element 284 is in the form of magnetic tape.
  • the molding piece removably engaging device 282 comprises a removably engaging device structure 286 , a first element 287 , and a groove 289 .
  • the first element 287 is in the form of magnetic tape.
  • the first element 287 is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element 284 , and the protruding rib 288 is positioned within the groove 289 .
  • a protruding rib is positioned within a groove (or is configured to be positioned within a groove) provide the advantage that the protruding rib and the groove in which it fits do not have to fit tightly to hold a molding piece removably engaging device in place relative to a molding piece due to the magnetic adherence of the first element to the first magnetic element, thereby avoiding damage to either or both of the groove and the rib.
  • Some embodiments in accordance with the present inventive subject matter provide the advantage that if the molding piece is painted, portions of the magnetic element(s) in the molding piece that are viewable because they are not covered by any molding piece removably engaging device have the appearance of molding, because edges of the magnetic element(s) (as well as edges of the molding piece that are adjacent to grooves within which the magnetic element(s) are positioned) are substantially parallel to other edges of the molding piece, such that such edges of the magnetic element(s) appear to be other uniform edges of the contour of the molding piece.

Abstract

A molding piece, comprising a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element, wherein cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape. In some embodiments, the first magnetic element is in a first groove in the molding piece structure, cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape, and/or the molding piece structure further comprises a protruding rib. Also, a removably engaging device, comprising a removably engaging device structure and a first element, wherein the first element comprises a magnetic element and/or a magnet-adhering element. In some embodiments, a removably engaging device structure comprises a rib and/or a groove. Also, kits and systems comprising molding pieces and removably engaging devices, and methods.

Description

    CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
  • This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119 section (e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/211,643, filed Jun. 17, 2021, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
    • FIELD OF THE INVENTIVE SUBJECT MATTER
  • The present inventive subject matter is directed to components that can be used as molding (e.g., crown molding or chair rails) in homes, offices, hotels, hospitals, etc. The present inventive subject matter is also directed to kits that comprise one or more of such components, systems that comprise one or more of such components, methods of making any of the components, kits and systems, and methods of installing any of the components and systems.
    • BACKGROUND
  • Various forms of molding for use on walls and regions where surfaces meet (e.g., where a wall meets a ceiling or where a wall meets an adjacent wall) have been provided. Such forms of molding can be used on or around any desired portions of structures (e.g., walls and ceilings), e.g., around the perimeter of a ceiling, horizontally along one or more walls, vertically, etc. In some instances, molding comprises a substantially uniform cross-sectional portion as well as intermittent features (e.g., a feature that is repeated along the length of the molding, such as being spaced a specific length on center). Molding typically has a “length” dimension (in a direction that is perpendicular to the planes in which its cross-section is substantially uniform) that extends much longer than any other dimension of the molding (for example, as a purely representative example, a length of molding might extend 10 feet in a first direction, and its cross-sectional area in each plane perpendicular to the first direction is substantially uniform and is 5 square inches). Molding often comprises a “profile side” (e.g., a side that is visible from within a room after the molding is installed on a wall) and a “back side” (which is often flat or substantially flat, or that includes a region that is) that is (at least in some regions) in contact with the wall.
    • BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIVE SUBJECT MATTER
  • When installing molding that comprises a substantially uniform cross-sectional portion as well as intermittent features, an installer can make cuts in the molding such that the space between each end of the molding and the nearest intermittent feature is substantially the same. Such cutting usually requires two cuts, and leads to waste. In addition, in many such instances, the distance between an end of the molding and the nearest intermittent feature is not close to the distance between each intermittent feature and its nearest adjacent intermittent feature.
  • In addition, with molding that comprises a substantially uniform cross-sectional portion as well as intermittent features, it is not possible to adjust the locations of the intermittent features (e.g., so that [1] the spacing between a first intermittent feature and an intermittent feature that is adjacent to the first intermittent features differs from [2] the spacing between a second intermittent feature and an intermittent feature that is adjacent to the second intermittent features).
  • In addition, with molding that comprises a substantially uniform cross-sectional portion as well as intermittent features, it is not possible to adjust the number of intermittent features on a stretch (length) of molding.
  • The present invention provides molding pieces and molding piece removably engagable devices that are configured to be used with each other to provide molding that comprises a substantially uniform cross-sectional portion as well as intermittent features, in which any of the intermittent features can easily be moved along a length dimension on the substantially uniform cross-section portion) relative to one another, any of the intermittent features can be easily removed, any intermittent feature can be easily inserted, and/or any intermittent feature can be easily replaced (with a similar intermittent feature or with an intermittent feature that has a different shape and/or size).
  • In accordance with a first aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided an element that comprises a substantially uniform cross-sectional portion, in the form of a molding piece that comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element, in which:
      • the molding piece structure has a first groove,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape, and
      • the first magnetic element is in the first groove.
  • In some of such embodiments, the first groove is in the profile side of the molding piece structure. In some of these embodiments, the profile side is characterized in that a perimeter of an imaginary section of the piece of molding (perpendicular to its axis) comprises a back region and a profile region, the back region is substantially straight, and the profile region has a plurality of bends and/or curves.
  • In accordance with another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, along with a molding piece in accordance with the first aspect of the present inventive subject matter, a number of intermittent features are provided in the form of a number of molding piece removably engaging devices that each comprises a removably engaging device structure and a first element (the first element comprising at least one of a magnetic element and a magnet-adhering element). By virtue of magnetic attraction between the at least a first magnetic element (of the molding piece) and the first element (of each molding piece removably engaging device), and optionally other features as described herein, the molding piece removably engaging devices are held securely to the molding piece, and the molding piece removably engaging devices are oriented precisely relative to the molding piece, while each of the molding piece removably engaging devices can easily be moved to another location where it is oriented precisely relative to the molding piece and held securely to the molding piece. By the expression “oriented precisely” is meant that each of the molding piece removably engaging devices is in a particular orientation (e.g., the same radial orientation regardless of where along the length of the molding piece it is secured), and/or that each of a plurality of similar molding piece removably engaging pieces (spaced along the length of the molding piece) is in the same radial orientation (or a similar radial orientation), e.g., not all of the molding piece removably engaging pieces are necessarily similar.
  • In accordance with a second aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a molding piece, comprising:
      • a molding piece structure; and
      • at least a first magnetic element,
  • wherein:
      • the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape, and
      • cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape.
  • In accordance with a third aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a molding piece, comprising:
      • a molding piece structure; and
      • at least a first magnetic element,
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the molding piece structure further comprises a protruding rib, and
      • the first magnetic element is on a surface of the molding piece structure.
  • In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a molding piece removably engaging device, comprising:
      • a removably engaging device structure; and
      • a first element,
  • wherein:
      • the first element is in contact with the removably engaging device structure,
      • the first element has a first element imaginary axis, and
      • the first element comprises at least one of a magnetic element and a magnet-adhering element.
  • In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a molding piece removably engaging device, there is provided a molding piece removably engaging device, comprising:
      • a removably engaging device structure; and
      • at least first and second elements,
  • wherein:
      • the first element is in contact with the removably engaging device structure,
      • the second element is in contact with the removably engaging device structure, and
      • each of the first element and the second element comprises at least one of a magnetic element and a magnet-adhering element.
  • In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a molding piece removably engaging device, comprising:
      • a removably engaging device structure; and
      • a first element,
  • wherein:
      • the first element comprises at least one of a magnetic element and a magnet-adhering element,
      • the first element is in contact with the removably engaging device structure,
      • the removably engaging device structure comprises at least a first rib,
      • the first rib has a first rib imaginary axis,
      • the first element has a first element imaginary axis,
      • the first rib imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis.
  • In accordance with a seventh aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a molding piece removably engaging device, comprising:
      • a removably engaging device structure; and
      • a first element,
  • wherein:
      • the first element comprises at least one of a magnetic element and a magnet-adhering element,
      • the first element is in contact with the removably engaging device structure,
      • the first element has a first element imaginary axis,
      • the removably engaging device comprises at least a first groove,
      • the first groove has a first groove imaginary axis,
      • the first groove imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis, and
      • the first element is spaced from the first groove.
  • In accordance with an eighth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a system comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (each corresponding to any of the molding piece removably engaging devices as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove, and
      • the first molding piece removably engaging device is in contact with the molding piece.
  • In accordance with a ninth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a system comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (each corresponding to any of the molding piece removably engaging devices as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape, and
      • the first molding piece removably engaging device is in contact with the molding piece.
  • In accordance with a tenth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a system comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (each corresponding to any of the molding piece removably engaging devices as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the molding piece structure further comprises a protruding rib,
      • the first magnetic element is on a surface of the molding piece structure, and
      • the first molding piece removably engaging device is in contact with the molding piece.
  • Additional aspects of the present inventive subject matter (including other molding pieces, other molding piece removably engagable devices, other systems, as well as kits and methods) are discussed below.
  • For example, in a representative embodiment, there can be provided molding that comprises a molding piece (e.g., 12 feet long) and a particular number of intermittent features (e.g., 8 intermittent features), in which the intermittent features can be spaced 16 inches on center (with the center of the intermittent feature closest to a first end of the molding piece spaced 16 inches from the first end, and the center of the intermittent feature closest to a second end of the molding piece spaced 16 inches from the second end. If there is a desire to modify the molding such that intermittent features are spaced 12 inches on center, three more intermittent features can be provided, and the eleven intermittent features can be repositioned such that they are spaced 12 inches on center (with the center of the intermittent feature closest to a first end of the molding piece spaced 12 inches from the first end, and the center of the intermittent feature closest to a second end of the molding piece spaced 12 inches from the second end.
  • The inventive subject matter may be more fully understood with reference to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the inventive subject matter.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
  • FIG. 1 schematically depicts a cross-section of a first embodiment of a molding piece 10 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 2 schematically depicts a cross-section of a second embodiment of a molding piece 20 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 3 schematically depicts a cross-section of a third embodiment of a molding piece 30 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 4 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fourth embodiment of a molding piece 40 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 5 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fifth embodiment of a molding piece 50 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 6 schematically depicts a cross-section of a sixth embodiment of a molding piece 60 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 7 schematically depicts a cross-section of a seventh embodiment of a molding piece 70 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the molding piece 10 depicted in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 9 schematically depicts a cross-section taken along an imaginary plane of substantial symmetry of a first embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 90 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 10 schematically depicts a cross-section of a second embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 100 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 11 schematically depicts a cross-section of a third embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 110 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 12 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fourth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 120 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 13 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fifth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 130 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 14 schematically depicts a cross-section of a sixth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 140 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 15 schematically depicts a cross-section of a seventh embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 150 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 16 schematically depicts a cross-section of an eighth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 160 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 17 schematically depicts a cross-section of a ninth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 170 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 18 schematically depicts a rear view (i.e., from the right in the orientation depicted in FIG. 12 ) of the molding piece removably engaging device 120 depicted in FIG. 12 .
  • FIG. 19 depicts a rear view of a tenth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 190 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 20 schematically depicts a cross-section of a first embodiment of a system 200 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 21 schematically depicts a cross-section of a second embodiment of a system 210 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 22 schematically depicts a cross-section of a third embodiment of a system 220 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 23 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fourth embodiment of a system 230 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 24 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fifth embodiment of a system 240 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 25 schematically depicts a cross-section of a sixth embodiment of a system 250 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 26 schematically depicts a cross-section of a seventh embodiment of a system 260 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 27 schematically depicts a cross-section of an eighth embodiment of a system 270 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
  • FIG. 28 schematically depicts a cross-section of a ninth embodiment of a system 280 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
    •  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIVE SUBJECT MATTER
  • The expression “comprises” or “comprising,” as used herein (e.g., in the expression “A molding piece, comprising: a molding piece structure; and at least a first magnetic element . . . ”), is used in accordance with its well known usage, and means that the item that “comprises” the recited elements (or that is “comprising” the recited elements) includes at least the recited elements, and can optionally include any additional elements. For example, an item that “comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element” includes at least one molding piece structure, and at least one magnetic element, i.e., it can include a single molding piece structure or a plurality of molding piece structures (and likewise can include a single magnetic element or a plurality of magnetic elements), and/or can include any additional element (e.g., not a molding piece structure of a magnetic element).
  • Where an expression is defined herein in terms of the meaning of the expression in the singular, the definition applies also to the plural (and vice-versa, i.e., for an expression defined herein in the plural, the definition applies also to the singular). Definitions of one form of an expression apply to the same expression in a different form of the word or words.
  • As used herein the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
  • When an element is referred to herein as being “on” a surface of another element (e.g., in the expression “the magnetic element is on a surface of the molding piece structure”), it can be in direct contact or indirect contact with the other element (e.g., intervening elements may also be present). In contrast, when an element is referred to herein as being “directly on” a surface of another element, there are no intervening elements present.
  • The expression “in contact with”, as used herein, means that the first structure that is in contact with a second structure is in direct contact with the second structure or is in indirect contact with the second structure. The expression “in indirect contact with” means that the first structure is not in direct contact with the second structure, but that there are a plurality of structures (including the first and second structures), and each of the plurality of structures is in direct contact with at least one other of the plurality of structures (e.g., the first and second structures are in a stack and are separated by one or more intervening layers). The expression “direct contact”, as used in the present specification, means that the first structure that is “in direct contact” with a second structure is touching the second structure and there are no intervening structures between the first and second structures at least at some location.
  • Although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements and/or components, these elements and/or components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element or component from another element or component. Thus, a first element or component discussed below could be termed a second element or component without departing from the teachings of the present inventive subject matter. Reference to a first type of component does not imply that there is necessarily a second of that type of component.
  • The expression “cross-sections . . . are substantially the same size and shape” (e.g., in the expression “cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to a first imaginary line segment that extends from the first end of the molding piece structure to the second end of the molding piece structure are substantially the same size and shape”), as used herein, means that each cross-section that is “substantially the same size and shape,” could be made to be the identical size and shape of a first shape by removing a specific region or regions that in total comprise not more than about 10 percent of the area of the first shape and/or by adding a specific region or regions that in total comprise not more than about 10 percent of the area of the first shape.
  • The expression “in the groove” (e.g., in the expression “the first magnetic element is in the first groove”), as used herein, encompasses any arrangement where at least part of the structure that is “in the groove” is in a space defined by the groove, e.g., the expression “the first magnetic element is in the first groove” encompasses: an arrangement in which an entirety of the first magnetic element is in the groove and completely fills the groove, at least in the depth direction, i.e., in a direction corresponding to a direction in FIG. 2 extending from the front face of the first magnetic element 22 that faces away from the groove 23 to the opposite rear face of the first magnetic element, and not necessarily in a direction perpendicular to the two dimensional section shown in FIG. 2 ; an arrangement in which an entirety of the first magnetic element partially fills the groove at least in the depth direction (the depth direction being as noted above), i.e., it is within the groove but does not completely fill the groove at least in the depth direction; an arrangement in which an entirety of the first magnetic element partially fills the groove at least in the depth direction, and another element is in the groove (e.g., an element that covers the first magnetic element; an arrangement in which part of the first magnetic element completely fills the groove at least in the depth direction, and part of the first magnetic element extends to outside the groove; and an arrangement in which part of the first magnetic element partially fills the groove at least in the depth direction, and part of the first magnetic element extends to outside the groove.
  • The expression “at least partially in the . . . groove” as used herein (e.g., in the expression “the first element is at least partially in the first groove”), encompasses any arrangement where at least part of the structure that is “at least partially in the . . . groove” is in the groove (and the structure optionally further comprises a part that is not in the groove).
  • The expression “substantially parallel,” as used herein in relation to two lines (e.g., in the expression “the first rib imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis”), means that the two lines are parallel (including that they are co-linear, i.e., they are the same), or that they diverge from each other by not more than 5 degrees.
  • The expression “substantially perpendicular,” as used herein in relation to a plane and an axis (e.g., in the expression “imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis”) means that the axis is perpendicular to the plane, or could be made perpendicular to the plane by tilting the axis by not more than 5 degrees.
  • The expression “adjacent”, as used herein to refer to a spatial relationship between a first structure and a second structure, means that the first and second structures are nearby each other, e.g., the first structure is abutting the second structure (or the first structure is otherwise in contact with the second structure) or that the first structure is spaced slightly from the second structure, or that no other structure is positioned between the first structure and the second structure, or that no other structure that is similar to the first structure or the second structure is positioned between the first structure and the second structure. For example, the expression “the first groove is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure” means that the first groove is near the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure, and/or that the first groove abuts the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure, and/or that the first groove is spaced slightly from the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure, and/or that no other structure is between the first groove and the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure, and/or that no other groove is between the first groove and the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure. For example, where there is provided a structure that has a first substantially flat surface and then a groove is formed in the first substantially flat surface (such that the portion of the first substantially flat surface where the groove was not formed is the “remainder of the first substantially flat surface,” whereby the remainder of the first substantially flat surface extends on opposite sides of the groove or all around the groove), the groove is adjacent to the remainder of the first substantially flat surface.
  • The expression “substantially flat,” as used herein (e.g., in the expression “at least a first region of a surface of the molding piece structure is substantially flat”), means that at least 90% of the points in the surface that is characterized as being substantially flat are located on one of or between a pair of planes that are parallel and that are spaced from each other by a distance of not more than 5% of the largest dimension of the surface.
  • The expression “substantially convex,” as used herein (e.g., in the expression “at least a first region of a surface of the molding piece structure is substantially convex”) means that at least 90% of the points on the surface that is characterized as being substantially convex correspond to an imaginary convex surface.
  • The expression “substantially concave,” as used herein (e.g., in the expression “at least a first region of a surface of the molding piece structure is substantially concave”) means that at least 90% of the points on the surface that is characterized as being substantially concave correspond to an imaginary concave surface.
  • The expression “imaginary axis” (e.g., in the expression “the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure”) is used herein (in each case in relation to a structure, i.e., an imaginary axis of the structure) to refer to any imaginary line (or line segment) that is within the structure from a first end of the structure to a second end of the structure. For example, in a long piece of molding that has cross-sections (in respective planes perpendicular to the axis) that are of substantially uniform size and shape, in each such cross-section between the first end and the second end, the axis is within the structure and is in substantially the same location relative to the structure). Accordingly, a structure can have an “imaginary axis” even if the structure does not have a uniform cross-section, and even if the structure does not have symmetry. Where a structure has two planes of symmetry that are perpendicular to each other (e.g., a square cross-section), the structure has an imaginary axis at the intersection of the two planes of symmetry. Where a structure has an axis of radial symmetry, the axis of radial symmetry is an imaginary axis for the structure.
  • The expression “imaginary plane of substantial symmetry” (e.g., in the expression “the removably engaging device structure has at least a first imaginary plane of substantial symmetry”) is used herein (in each case in relation to a removably engaging device structure) to refer to an imaginary plane oriented such that a first portion of the removably engaging device structure to a first side of the imaginary plane is a mirror image, or could be made to be a mirror image, of a second portion of the removably engaging device structure to a second side of the imaginary plane by removing from the first portion of the removably engaging device structure a specific region or regions that in total comprise not more than about 10 percent of the volume of the first portion of the removably engaging device structure, and/or by adding to the first portion of the removably engaging device structure a specific region or regions that in total comprise not more than about 10 percent of the volume of the first portion of the removably engaging device structure.
  • The expression “spaced from . . . along a . . . line,” as used herein (e.g., in the expression “the first element is spaced from the second element along a first imaginary line that is substantially perpendicular to the first imaginary plane of substantial symmetry”) means that there exists at least one imaginary line [1] that is substantially perpendicular to the first imaginary plane of substantial symmetry, [2] that passes through the first element, and [3] that passes through the second element. In some of such situations, the imaginary line [1] passes through a center of gravity of the first element or within a distance from the center of gravity of the first element of not larger than 10% of a largest dimension of the first element, and [2] passes through a center of gravity of the second element or within a distance from the center of gravity of the second element of not larger than 10% of a largest dimension of the second element
  • The expression “region of a surface” (e.g., in the expression “at least a first region of a surface of the molding piece structure is substantially flat”), as used herein, means that any point on the region can be reached by traveling through only other points on the region, i.e., the region can have any shape, and the region does not include any sub-regions that are isolated from other sub-regions. Accordingly, a region of a surface can surround a groove formed in the surface (and/or a region of a surface can surround a rib that protrudes from the surface), and in such situations, the groove may be adjacent to the region (and/or the rib may be adjacent to the region).
  • The expression “rounded” (e.g., in the expression “rounded edge”), as used herein, refers to a limit on the degree of abruptness of an edge between a first surface and a second surface (e.g., the edge between a first wall and a second wall), i.e., within any span of 0.1 mm in a direction traverse to the edge, the curvature is not more than 0.3 radians (and in some instances, curvature is not more than 1.5 radians within a span of 0.02 mm, 0.04 mm, 0.06 mm, 0.08 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.8 mm, or 1.0 mm).
  • The expression “engagedly positioned within,” as used herein, means:
      • that the spatial relationship between a first structure and a second structure, a portion of the second structure being in a groove in the first structure, contributes to some degree in inhibiting the first structure and the second structure from moving relative to one another in such a way that the portion of the second structure would no longer be in the groove in the first structure, and/or
      • that the volume of the portion of a first structure that is in a groove in a second structure is at least 50% of the volume of the groove in the second structure.
  • The expression “magnet-adhering element,” as used herein (e.g., in the expression “the first element comprises at least one of a magnetic element and a magnet-adhering element”), encompasses anything that is capable of being magnetically attracted to a magnetic element (i.e., ferromagnetic materials, e.g., iron, nickel, cobalt, or anything that contains iron, nickel and/or cobalt, such as steel).
  • The expression “magnetic element,” as used herein, encompasses anything that creates a magnetic field, e.g., a permanent magnet, that attracts magnetically-attractable elements.
  • The expression “magnetically adhered,” as used herein, means that a magnet-adhering element that is “magnetically adhered” to a magnetic element is held in place relative to the magnetic element at least in part by the magnetic field of the magnetic element.
  • The expression “magnetic tape,” as used herein, refers to material that is in the shape of tape (i.e., a very thin strand of material that is of substantially uniform width) and that creates a magnetic field.
  • The present disclosure describes many instances of “protruding ribs” and “grooves,” as well as instances where a protruding rib is positioned within a groove, and instances where a protruding rib is configured to be positioned within a groove. Any reference to a rib can comprise a single continuous protruding structure (e.g., a structure that is substantially straight and that has a substantially uniform cross-section) or a discontinuous structure, e.g., plurality of protruding structures (e.g., a series of bumps that are within a space that would be defined by a single continuous protruding structure). Similarly, any reference to a groove can comprise a single continuous recessed structure (e.g., a structure that is substantially straight and that has a substantially uniform cross-section) or a discontinuous structure, e.g., plurality of recesses (e.g., a series of recesses that are within a space that would be defined by a single continuous recess). In some embodiments in accordance with the present inventive subject matter, where a protruding rib is positioned within a recess (or is configured to be positioned within a recess), the protruding rib and the recess are complementary (e.g., a single continuous rib fits within a single continuous groove, a series of bumps fits within a series of recesses, etc.).
  • “Grooves” and “ribs” as described herein, are distinguished from mere surface anomalies or gradual contours. Depth of a groove, width of a groove, height of a rib and/or width of a rib can be described herein in each instance in relation to an imaginary plane (a “tangential plane”) that is tangential to a surface in which the groove is formed or from which a rib protrudes, and in relation to an imaginary line that is perpendicular to the tangential plane. Depth, width, and height in such descriptions are relative, and the direction in which they extend depends upon the orientation of the structure of which they are a part. A width of a groove is defined herein as a distance from a point (on a surface of a structure in which the groove is formed) on an edge of a groove to the nearest point (on the same surface or on another surface of the structure) on an opposite edge of the groove. A width of a rib is defined herein as a distance from a point (on a surface of a structure in which the groove is formed) adjacent to the rib to the nearest point (on the same surface or on another surface of the structure) on an opposite side of the rib. A depth of a groove is defined herein as a distance, along an imaginary axis perpendicular to the tangential plane of the surface in which the groove is formed, from [1] a point along an imaginary line segment extending from a point on one edge of the groove to a point on the opposite edge of the groove, to [2] a point on a surface of the groove that is farthest from the tangential plane. A height of a rib is defined herein as a distance, along an imaginary axis perpendicular to the tangential plane of the surface from which the rib protrudes, from [1] a point along an imaginary line segment extending from a point (on the surface) adjacent to one side of the rib to a point (on the surface) adjacent to an opposite side of the rib, to [2] a point on a surface of the rib that is farthest from the tangential plane. In some embodiments in accordance with the present inventive subject matter, for at least about 80 percent of a length of a groove, the width of the groove is at least 1 mm, and the depth of the groove is at least 10 percent of the width of the groove (and in some embodiments, at least 20 percent, in some embodiments, at least 30 percent, in some embodiments, at least 40 percent, in some embodiments, at least 50 percent, in some embodiments, at least 60 percent, in some embodiments, at least 70 percent, in some embodiments, at least 80 percent, in some embodiments, at least 90 percent, in some embodiments, at least 100 percent). In some embodiments in accordance with the present inventive subject matter, for at least about 80 percent of a length of a rib, the width of the rib is at least 1 mm, and the height of the rib is at least 10 percent of the width of the rib (and in some embodiments, at least 20 percent, in some embodiments, at least 30 percent, in some embodiments, at least 40 percent, in some embodiments, at least 50 percent, in some embodiments, at least 60 percent, in some embodiments, at least 70 percent, in some embodiments, at least 80 percent, in some embodiments, at least 90 percent, in some embodiments, at least 100 percent).
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the present inventive subject matter that comprise a rib that is positioned within a groove (and/or that is configured to be positioned within a groove), the rib fits snugly or tightly within the groove, whereby the component that comprises the rib cannot be rotated (while at least part of the rib remains within the groove) relative to an imaginary line perpendicular to an imaginary tangential plane (i.e., a plane that is tangential to a surface in which the groove is formed or from which the rib protrudes) by more than 10 degrees, and in some embodiments, by more than 9 degrees, by more than 8 degrees, by more than 7 degrees, by more than 6 degrees, by more than 5 degrees, by more than 4 degrees, by more than 3 degrees, by more than 2 degrees, by more than 1 degree. Similarly, in some embodiments in accordance with the present inventive subject matter, where part of a first magnetic element of a molding piece is positioned in (and/or configured to be positioned in) a groove in a molding piece removably engaging device, and/or where part of a first element of a molding piece removably engaging device is positioned in (and/or configured to be positioned in) a groove in a molding piece, the fit is sufficiently snug or tight that the molding piece removably engaging device cannot be rotated (while at least part of the first magnetic element or the first element remains within the groove) relative to an imaginary line perpendicular to an imaginary tangential plane (i.e., a plane that is tangential to a surface in which the groove is formed or from which the first magnetic element or the first element protrudes) by more than 10 degrees, and in some embodiments, by more than 9 degrees, by more than 8 degrees, by more than 7 degrees, by more than 6 degrees, by more than 5 degrees, by more than 4 degrees, by more than 3 degrees, by more than 2 degrees, by more than 1 degree.
  • In any embodiments of molding pieces, molding piece removably engaging devices, systems, kits, or methods that comprise one or more grooves and/or one or more ribs, the rib(s) and/or the groove(s) can be of any desired cross-section. In some of such embodiments, complementary ribs and grooves are tapered (e.g., V-shaped) to assist in bringing components into proper alignment.
  • Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this inventive subject matter belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
  • As noted above, in a first aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a molding piece, comprising:
      • a molding piece structure; and
      • at least a first magnetic element,
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece structure has a first groove,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape, and
      • the first magnetic element is in the first groove.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the first aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, the molding piece structure imaginary axis is in the same relative location in each of said cross-sections.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the first aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape, and in some of such embodiments:
      • a first point on the first magnetic element is spaced from a second point on the first magnetic element by a distance that is at least 80 percent of the distance along the molding piece structure imaginary axis from the first end of the molding piece structure to the second end of the molding piece structure, and/or
      • the at least a first magnetic element comprises the first magnetic element and a second magnetic element, and a first point on the first magnetic element is spaced from a first point on the second magnetic element by a distance that is at least 80 percent of the distance along the molding piece structure imaginary axis from the first end of the molding piece structure to the second end of the molding piece structure.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the first aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, a first point on the first magnetic element is spaced from a second point on the first magnetic element by a distance that is at least 80 percent of the distance along the molding piece structure imaginary axis from the first end of the molding piece structure to the second end of the molding piece structure.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the first aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein:
      • the at least a first magnetic element comprises the first magnetic element and a second magnetic element, and
      • a first point on the first magnetic element is spaced from a first point on the second magnetic element by a distance that is at least 80 percent of the distance along the molding piece structure imaginary axis from the first end of the molding piece structure to the second end of the molding piece structure.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the first aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein:
      • at least a first region of a surface of the molding piece structure is substantially flat, and
      • the first groove is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure,
        and in some of such embodiments, a surface area of the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure is at least 3 percent of a surface area of an entirety of the molding piece structure.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the first aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein:
      • at least a first region of a surface of the molding piece structure is substantially convex, and
      • the first groove is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure,
        and in some of such embodiments, a surface area of the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure is at least 3 percent of a surface area of an entirety of the molding piece structure.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the first aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein:
      • at least a first region of a surface of the molding piece structure is substantially concave, and
      • the first groove is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure,
        and in some of such embodiments, a surface area of the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure is at least 3 percent of a surface area of an entirety of the molding piece structure.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the first aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein:
      • the first groove is defined by first, second and third walls,
      • the second wall is substantially perpendicular to the first wall, and
      • the third wall is substantially perpendicular to the second wall,
        and in some of such embodiments, an edge between the first wall and the second wall is rounded, and an edge between the second wall and the third wall is rounded.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the first aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein:
      • the molding piece structure further comprises at least a first protruding rib, and
      • cross-sections of the first protruding rib along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape for a distance that is at least 80 percent of a length along the molding piece structure imaginary axis from the first end of the molding piece structure to the second end of the molding piece structure,
        and in some of such embodiments:
      • the first protruding rib comprises first, second and third walls,
      • the second wall is substantially perpendicular to the first wall, and
      • the third wall is substantially perpendicular to the second wall.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the first aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, the molding piece structure comprises wood and/or composite.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the first aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, the molding piece structure further comprises a second groove.
  • As noted above, in a second aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a molding piece, comprising:
      • a molding piece structure; and
      • at least a first magnetic element,
  • wherein:
      • the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape, and
      • cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the second aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, the molding piece structure imaginary axis is in the same relative location in each of said cross-sections.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the second aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, a first point on the first magnetic element is spaced from a second point on the first magnetic element by a distance that is at least 80 percent of the distance along the molding piece structure imaginary axis from the first end of the molding piece structure to the second end of the molding piece structure.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the second aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein:
      • the at least a first magnetic element comprises the first magnetic element and a second magnetic element, and
      • a first point on the first magnetic element is spaced from a first point on the second magnetic element by a distance that is at least 80 percent of the distance along the molding piece structure imaginary axis from the first end of the molding piece structure to the second end of the molding piece structure.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the second aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein:
      • the molding piece structure further comprises at least a first protruding rib, and
      • cross-sections of the first protruding rib along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape for a distance that is at least 80 percent of a length along the molding piece structure imaginary axis from the first end of the molding piece structure to the second end of the molding piece structure,
        and in some of such embodiments:
      • at least a first region of a surface of the molding piece structure is substantially flat, and the first protruding rib is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure (in some of such cases, a surface area of the first region of the molding piece structure is at least 3 percent of a surface area of an entirety of the molding piece structure);
      • at least a first region of a surface of the molding piece structure is substantially convex, and the first protruding rib is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure (in some of such cases, a surface area of the first region of the molding piece structure is at least 3 percent of a surface area of an entirety of the molding piece structure);
      • at least a first region of a surface of the molding piece structure is substantially concave, and the first protruding rib is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure (in some of such cases, a surface area of the first region of the molding piece structure is at least 3 percent of a surface area of an entirety of the molding piece structure); and/or
      • the first protruding rib comprises first, second and third walls, the second wall is substantially perpendicular to the first wall, and the third wall is substantially perpendicular to the second wall.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the second aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, the molding piece structure comprises at least one material selected from among wood materials and composite materials.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the second aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, the first magnetic element is on a surface of the molding piece structure.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the second aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, the first magnetic element comprises magnetic tape.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the second aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, the molding piece structure further comprises at least a first groove.
  • As noted above, in a third aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a molding piece, comprising:
      • a molding piece structure; and
      • at least a first magnetic element,
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the molding piece structure further comprises at least a first protruding rib, and
      • the first magnetic element is on a surface of the molding piece structure.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the third aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, the molding piece structure imaginary axis is in the same relative location in each of said cross-sections.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the third aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape for a distance that is at least 80 percent of the distance along the molding piece structure imaginary axis from the first end of the molding piece structure to the second end of the molding piece structure.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the third aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, a first point on the first magnetic element is spaced from a second point on the first magnetic element by a distance that is at least 80 percent of the distance from the first end of the molding piece structure to the second end of the molding piece structure.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the third aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein:
      • the at least a first magnetic element comprises the first magnetic element and a second magnetic element, and
      • a first point on the first magnetic element is spaced from a first point on the second magnetic element by a distance that is at least 80 percent of the distance from the first end of the molding piece structure to the second end of the molding piece structure.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the third aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein:
      • at least a first region of a surface of the molding piece structure is substantially flat, and
      • the first protruding rib is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure,
        and in some of such embodiments, a surface area of the first region of the molding piece structure is at least 3 percent of a surface area of an entirety of the molding piece structure.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the third aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein:
      • at least a first region of a surface of the molding piece structure is substantially convex, and
      • the first protruding rib is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure,
        and in some of such embodiments, a surface area of the first region of the molding piece structure is at least 3 percent of a surface area of an entirety of the molding piece structure.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the third aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein:
      • at least a first region of a surface of the molding piece structure is substantially concave, and
      • the first protruding rib is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure,
        and in some of such embodiments, a surface area of the first region of the molding piece structure is at least 3 percent of a surface area of an entirety of the molding piece structure.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the third aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein:
      • the first protruding rib comprises first, second and third walls,
      • the second wall is substantially perpendicular to the first wall, and
      • the third wall is substantially perpendicular to the second wall.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the third aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, the molding piece structure comprises wood and/or composite.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the third aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, the first magnetic element comprises magnetic tape.
  • As noted above, in a fourth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a molding piece removably engaging device, comprising:
      • a removably engaging device structure; and
      • a first element,
  • wherein:
      • the first element is in contact with the removably engaging device structure,
      • the first element has a first element imaginary axis, and
      • the first element comprises at least one of a magnetic element and a magnet-adhering element.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the fourth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein:
      • the removably engaging device further comprises at least a first rib,
      • the first rib has a first rib imaginary axis, and
      • the first rib imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis, and in some of such embodiments:
        • the first element comprises magnetic tape, and/or
        • the removably engaging device further comprises at least a first groove, the first groove has a first groove imaginary axis, the first groove imaginary axis is parallel to the first element imaginary axis, and the first element is at least partially in the first groove.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the fourth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein:
      • the removably engaging device further comprises at least a first groove,
      • the first groove has a first groove imaginary axis, and
      • the first groove imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis,
        and in some of such embodiments:
      • at least part of the first element is in the first groove; and/or
      • the first element comprises magnetic tape; and/or
      • the removably engaging device further comprises at least a second groove, the second groove has a second groove imaginary axis, the second groove imaginary axis is parallel to the first element imaginary axis, and the first element is in the second groove.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the fourth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, the first element comprises magnetic tape.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the fourth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein:
      • the removably engaging device further comprises at least a first groove,
      • the first groove has a first groove imaginary axis,
      • the first groove imaginary axis is parallel to the first element imaginary axis, and
      • the first element is in the first groove.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the fourth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, at least a first region of a surface of the removably engaging device structure is substantially flat, and the first element is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure, and in some of such embodiments, a surface area of the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure is at least 10 percent of a surface area of an entirety of the removably engaging device structure.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the fourth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein at least a first region of a surface of the removably engaging device structure is substantially concave, and the first element is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure, and in some of such embodiments, a surface area of the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure is at least 10 percent of a surface area of an entirety of the removably engaging device structure.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the fourth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, at least a first region of a surface of the removably engaging device structure is substantially convex, and the first element is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure, and in some of such embodiments, a surface area of the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure is at least 10 percent of a surface area of an entirety of the removably engaging device structure.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the fourth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, the first element comprises first, second and third walls, the second wall is substantially perpendicular to the first wall, and the third wall is substantially perpendicular to the second wall, and in some of such embodiments, an edge between the first wall and the second wall is rounded, and an edge between the second wall and the third wall is rounded.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the fourth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, the first element is on a first surface of the removably engaging device structure, and the first element protrudes from the first surface of the removably engaging device structure.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the fourth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, the removably engaging device structure comprises wood and/or composite.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the fourth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein the removably engaging device structure has at least a first imaginary plane of substantial symmetry, and the first element imaginary axis is substantially perpendicular to the first imaginary plane of substantial symmetry,
  • As noted above, in a fifth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a molding piece removably engaging device, comprising:
      • a removably engaging device structure; and
      • at least first and second elements,
  • wherein:
      • the first element is in contact with the removably engaging device structure,
      • the second element is in contact with the removably engaging device structure, and
      • each of the first element and the second element comprises at least one of a magnetic element and a magnet-adhering element.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the fifth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, the removably engaging device further comprises at least a first rib, the first rib has a first rib imaginary axis, and the first rib imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis, and in some of such embodiments:
      • at least a first region of a surface of the removably engaging device structure is substantially flat, and the first rib is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure (in some instances, a surface area of the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure is at least 10 percent of a surface area of an entirety of the removably engaging device structure);
      • at least a first region of a surface of the removably engaging device structure is substantially concave, and the first rib is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure (in some instances, a surface area of the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure is at least 10 percent of a surface area of an entirety of the removably engaging device structure); and/or
      • at least a first region of a surface of the removably engaging device structure is substantially convex, and the first rib is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure (in some instances, a surface area of the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure is at least 10 percent of a surface area of an entirety of the removably engaging device structure).
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the fifth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, the removably engaging device further comprises at least a first groove, the first groove has a first groove imaginary axis, and the first groove imaginary axis is substantially parallel to an imaginary axis of the first element, and in some of such embodiments:
      • at least a first region of a surface of the removably engaging device structure is substantially flat, and the first groove is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure (in some instances, a surface area of the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure is at least 10 percent of a surface area of an entirety of the removably engaging device structure);
      • at least a first region of a surface of the removably engaging device structure is substantially concave, and the first groove is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure (in some instances, a surface area of the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure is at least 10 percent of a surface area of an entirety of the removably engaging device structure); and/or
      • at least a first region of a surface of the removably engaging device structure is substantially convex, and the first groove is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure (in some instances, a surface area of the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure is at least 10 percent of a surface area of an entirety of the removably engaging device structure).
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the fifth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, the removably engaging device structure comprises wood and/or composite.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the fifth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein:
      • the removably engaging device structure has at least a first imaginary plane of substantial symmetry, and
      • the first element is spaced from the second element along a first imaginary line that is substantially perpendicular to the first imaginary plane of substantial symmetry.
  • As noted above, in a sixth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a molding piece removably engaging device, comprising:
      • a removably engaging device structure; and
      • a first element,
  • wherein:
      • the first element comprises at least one of a magnetic element and a magnet-adhering element,
      • the first element is in contact with the removably engaging device structure,
      • the removably engaging device structure comprises at least a first rib,
      • the first rib has a first rib imaginary axis,
      • the first element has a first element imaginary axis,
      • the first rib imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the sixth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, the first element comprises magnetic tape.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the sixth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein:
      • the removably engaging device further comprises at least a first groove,
      • the first groove has a first groove imaginary axis,
      • the first groove imaginary axis is parallel to the first element imaginary axis, and
      • the first element is at least partially in the first groove.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the sixth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein the first rib comprises first, second and third walls, the second wall is substantially perpendicular to the first wall, and the third wall is substantially perpendicular to the second wall, and in some of such embodiments, an edge between the first wall and the second wall is rounded, and an edge between the second wall and the third wall is rounded.
  • As noted above, in a seventh aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a molding piece removably engaging device, comprising:
      • a removably engaging device structure; and
      • a first element.
  • wherein:
      • the first element comprises at least one of a magnetic element and a magnet-adhering element,
      • the first element is in contact with the removably engaging device structure,
      • the first element has a first element imaginary axis,
      • the removably engaging device comprises at least a first groove,
      • the first groove has a first groove imaginary axis,
      • the first groove imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis, and
      • the first element is spaced from the first groove.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the seventh aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, the first element comprises magnetic tape.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the seventh aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, the removably engaging device further comprises a second groove, and the first element is at least partially in the second groove.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the seventh aspect of the present inventive subject matter, including some embodiments that include or do not include any of the features described herein, the first groove is defined by first, second and third walls, the second wall is substantially perpendicular to the first wall, and the third wall is substantially perpendicular to the second wall, and in some of such embodiments, an edge between the first wall and the second wall is rounded, and an edge between the second wall and the third wall is rounded.
  • As noted above, in an eighth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a system comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove, and
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a system comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that
      • extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove,
      • at least a portion of the first element is positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the molding piece first groove, and
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a system comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove,
      • at least a portion of the first magnetic element is positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the first groove of the removably engaging device, and
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a system comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove and a second groove,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove,
      • at least a portion of the first rib of the removably engaging device is positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the molding piece second groove, and
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a system comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove,
      • the molding piece structure further comprises a molding piece first rib,
      • at least a portion of the molding piece first rib of the molding piece structure is positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the first groove of the removably engaging device, and
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • As noted above, in a ninth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a system comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape, and
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a system comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape,
      • at least a portion of the first element is positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the molding piece first groove, and
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a system comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape,
      • at least a portion of the first magnetic element is positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the first groove of the removably engaging device, and
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a system comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the molding piece structure further comprises a molding piece first groove,
      • at least a portion of the first rib of the removably engaging device is positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the molding piece first groove, and
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a system comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the molding piece structure further comprises at least a first protruding rib,
      • cross-sections of the first protruding rib along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape for a distance that is at least 80 percent of a length along the molding piece structure imaginary axis from the first end of the molding piece structure to the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • at least a portion of the first protruding rib of the molding piece structure is positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the first groove of the removably engaging device, and
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • As noted above, in a tenth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a system comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the molding piece structure further comprises at least a first protruding rib,
      • the first magnetic element is on a surface of the molding piece structure, and
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a system comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the molding piece structure further comprises at least a first protruding rib,
      • the first magnetic element is on a surface of the molding piece structure,
      • at least a portion of the protruding rib of the molding piece structure is positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the first groove of the removably engaging device, and
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • In an eleventh aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a kit comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape, and
      • the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a kit comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove, and
      • the molding piece and the first molding piece removably engaging device are configured such that at least a portion of the first element is capable of being positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the molding piece first groove.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a kit comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove, and
      • the molding piece and the first molding piece removably engaging device are configured such that at least a portion of the first magnetic element is capable of being positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the first groove of the removably engaging device.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a kit comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove and a second groove,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove,
        and
      • the molding piece and the first molding piece removably engaging device are configured such that at least a portion of the first rib of the removably engaging device is capable of being positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the molding piece second groove.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a kit comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove,
      • the molding piece structure further comprises a molding piece first rib, and
      • the molding piece and the first molding piece removably engaging device are configured such that at least a portion of the molding piece first rib of the molding piece structure is capable of being positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the first groove of the removably engaging device.
  • In a twelfth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a kit comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape, and
      • cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a kit comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape, and
      • the molding piece and the first molding piece removably engaging device are configured such that at least a portion of the first element is capable of being positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the molding piece first groove.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a kit comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape, and
      • the molding piece and the first molding piece removably engaging device are configured such that at least a portion of the first magnetic element is capable of being positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the first groove of the removably engaging device.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a kit comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the molding piece structure further comprises a molding piece first groove,
      • the molding piece and the first molding piece removably engaging device are configured such that at least a portion of the first rib of the removably engaging device is capable of being positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the molding piece first groove.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a kit comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the molding piece structure further comprises at least a first protruding rib, and
      • cross-sections of the first protruding rib along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape for a distance that is at least 80 percent of a length along the molding piece structure imaginary axis from the first end of the molding piece structure to the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • the molding piece and the first molding piece removably engaging device are configured such that at least a portion of the first protruding rib of the molding piece structure is capable of being positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the first groove of the removably engaging device.
  • In a thirteenth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a kit comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the molding piece structure further comprises at least a first protruding rib, and
      • the first magnetic element is on a surface of the molding piece structure.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a kit comprising:
      • a molding piece, and
      • at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the molding piece structure further comprises at least a first protruding rib,
      • the first magnetic element is on a surface of the molding piece structure, and
      • the molding piece and the first molding piece removably engaging device are configured such that at least a portion of the protruding rib of the molding piece structure is capable of being positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the first groove of the removably engaging device.
  • In a fourteenth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a kit comprising:
      • at least first and second molding piece removably engaging devices,
      • each of the first and second molding piece removably engaging devices comprising a molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein).
  • The present inventive subject matter also provides kits that comprise any of the kits described herein, together with any suitable packaging (any such kit can comprise packaging with one or more (or all) of the components of the kit inside and/or attached to the packaging. When included, any suitable or desired packaging can be provided. For example, packaging can cover any portion or portions of the components, e.g., packaging can comprise a strap or a loop (e.g., of plastic, twine, cardboard, etc.,) that wraps around components; or packaging can cover four orthogonal sides of a plurality of components (i.e., two or more components); or packaging can cover four orthogonal sides of the components plus portions (e.g., perimeters) of the two other orthogonal sides of the components; or packaging can be a band engaged with or attached to the components (e.g., a substantially flat band that engages or is attached to respective single sides of the components, e.g., with adhesive, screws, staples, etc.), or such a band that is curled up after being attached to the components or as it is being attached to the components; or packaging can completely surround or substantially completely surround the components (e.g., plastic, cardboard, etc.).
  • In a fifteenth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a method of making a molding piece (as described herein), comprising removing material from a starting structure, and/or molding material, to render the molding piece.
  • In a sixteenth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a method of making a molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein), comprising removing material from a starting structure, and/or molding material, to render the molding piece removably engaging device.
  • In a seventeenth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a method comprising:
      • positioning a molding piece relative to at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape, and
      • the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove,
  • such that:
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a method comprising:
      • positioning a molding piece relative to at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape, and
      • the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove,
  • such that:
      • at least a portion of the first element is positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the molding piece first groove, and
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a method comprising:
      • positioning a molding piece relative to at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape, and
      • the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove,
  • such that:
      • at least a portion of the first magnetic element is positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the first groove of the removably engaging device, and
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a method comprising:
      • positioning a molding piece relative to at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove and a second groove,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape, and
      • the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove,
  • such that:
      • at least a portion of the first rib of the removably engaging device is positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the molding piece second groove, and
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a method comprising:
      • positioning a molding piece relative to at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove, and
      • the molding piece structure further comprises a molding piece first rib,
  • such that:
      • at least a portion of the molding piece first rib of the molding piece structure is positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the first groove of the removably engaging device, and
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • In an eighteenth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a method comprising:
      • positioning a molding piece relative to at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape, and
      • cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape,
  • such that:
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a method comprising:
      • positioning a molding piece relative to at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape, and
      • cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape,
  • such that:
      • at least a portion of the first element is positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the molding piece first groove, and
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a method comprising:
      • positioning a molding piece relative to at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape, and
      • cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape,
  • such that:
      • at least a portion of the first magnetic element is positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the first groove of the removably engaging device, and
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a method comprising:
      • positioning a molding piece relative to at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape, and
      • the molding piece structure further comprises a molding piece first groove,
  • such that:
      • at least a portion of the first rib of the removably engaging device is positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the molding piece first groove, and
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a method comprising:
      • positioning a molding piece relative to at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the molding piece structure further comprises at least a first protruding rib, and
      • cross-sections of the first protruding rib along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape for a distance that is at least 80 percent of a length along the molding piece structure imaginary axis from the first end of the molding piece structure to the second end of the molding piece structure,
  • such that:
      • at least a portion of the first protruding rib of the molding piece structure is positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the first groove of the removably engaging device, and
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • In a nineteenth aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a method comprising:
      • positioning a molding piece relative to at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the molding piece structure further comprises at least a first protruding rib, and
      • the first magnetic element is on a surface of the molding piece structure,
  • such that:
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • In another aspect of the present inventive subject matter, there is provided a method comprising:
      • positioning a molding piece relative to at least a first molding piece removably engaging device (as described herein),
  • wherein:
      • the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
      • the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
      • the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
      • cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
      • the molding piece structure further comprises at least a first protruding rib, and
      • the first magnetic element is on a surface of the molding piece structure,
  • such that:
      • at least a portion of the protruding rib of the molding piece structure is positioned within, and in some cases engagedly positioned in, the first groove of the removably engaging device, and
      • the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
  • The molding piece structure (or molding piece structures) in any embodiment in accordance with the present inventive subject matter can be made of any suitable material or materials, for example, representative materials that can be used include wood (e.g., pine, cedar, oak, cherry, ash, poplar, etc.), composite (e.g., composite wood, reinforced plastics, such as fiberglass, ceramic matrix composites, metal matrix composites), plastic, metal, etc. In some embodiments, the molding piece(s) is/are substantially stiff, but in some cases, the molding piece(s) can be flexible.
  • The molding piece structure can be of generally any desired size.
  • The molding piece structure can have any desired shape. As noted above, in some embodiments, a molding piece structure has a substantially uniform cross-section, i.e., the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through a first end of the molding piece structure and a second end of the molding piece structure, and cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape. In such embodiments, such cross-sections of the molding piece structure can be of any desired shape. For example, representative examples of crown molding piece structures comprise [1] a first substantially flat surface (to be positioned against a ceiling), [2] a second substantially flat surface (to be positioned against a wall) and [3] a surface that [a] extends generally diagonally from the edge of the first substantially flat surface that is farthest from the second substantially flat surface to the edge of the second substantially flat surface that is farthest from the first substantially flat surface, and that [b] comprises one or more contoured regions (e.g., gently curving along the imaginary planes described above), and/or one or more laterally aligned edges, grooves and/or protrusions. Representative examples of chair rail molding piece structures comprise [1] a first substantially flat surface (to be positioned against a wall), and [2] a surface that [a] extends generally in a “D-shape” from a first lateral edge of the first substantially flat surface to a second lateral edge of the first substantially flat surface, and that [b] comprises one or more contoured regions (e.g., gently curving along the imaginary planes described above), and/or one or more laterally aligned edges, grooves and/or protrusions.
  • Molding piece removably engaging devices in accordance with the present inventive subject matter can be of any suitable desired size and shape. In some embodiments in accordance with the present inventive subject matter, removably engaging devices have a plane of substantial symmetry, and the removably engaging devices are arranged such that their planes of substantial symmetry are oriented vertically and substantially at right angles to the molding piece structure imaginary axis. For some embodiments in accordance with the present inventive subject matter, the removably engaging device has first and second major dimensions and a much smaller third dimension, and the removably engaging device is configured such that when its first element is magnetically adhered to the magnetic element of the molding piece, the third dimension is in an imaginary plane that is substantially perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis.
  • As described herein, molding pieces in devices in accordance with the present inventive subject matter each comprise at least a first magnetic element.
  • As noted above, the first element (and the second element, in embodiments that have a second element) of a molding piece removably engaging device in accordance with the present inventive subject matter can be a magnetic element and/or a magnet-adhering element.
  • As noted above, the expression “magnetic element” encompasses anything that creates a magnetic field, e.g., a permanent magnet. A magnetic element (for use in any of the aspects described herein) can consist essentially of (or consist of) a single magnetic material, can consist essentially of (or consist of) two or more magnetic materials, can comprise one or more magnetic materials, can consist essentially of (or consist of) one or more magnetic materials and one or more non-magnetic materials, can comprise one or more magnetic materials and one or more non-magnetic materials, etc.
  • A variety of magnetic materials are well known, including permanent magnets (e.g., made of naturally magnetic forms of iron or alloys), such as neodymium iron boron (also known as “neodymium magnets”), samarium cobalt, alnico, ceramic and ferrite magnets (strontium-iron), electromagnets and temporary magnets. Many magnetic elements that comprise iron are coated (e.g., with nickel, or plated with a layer of nickel, a layer of copper and a second layer of nickel, and/or with a rubber material) to protect iron in the magnetic material from corrosion, and/or to enhance the frictional coefficient of the surface or surfaces of the magnetic element.
  • In any method or device in which one or more magnetic element is described herein, two or more magnetic elements can be used in place of any individual magnetic element described herein.
  • Magnetic elements can be obtained in a variety of shapes. Any suitable shape can be employed, and where two or more magnetic elements are employed, the magnetic elements can be of the same general shape or of differing shapes (or some can be of the same general shape).
  • Magnetic elements can be selected based (at least in part) on their rated magnetic strengths. The magnetic element (or, where more than one magnetic element is included, each magnetic element) should be chosen so as to have magnetic strength that is sufficient to hold the structure or structures sought to be held in place.
  • Magnetic strength is reduced if a component is between a magnetic element and a magnet-adhering element. In addition, magnetic strength is affected by the number of magnetic elements and (where two or more magnetic elements are used) the positional arrangement and orientation of the magnetic elements relative to each other.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the present inventive subject matter, one or more flexible magnetic elements is/are used as a magnetic element. In some of such embodiments, the flexible magnetic element (or elements) comprises magnetic powder (e.g., powdered ferrite) and a plastic or rubber bonding agent. Such magnets can be made in any suitable way, e.g., by mixing and heating magnetic powder and bonding agent, and extruding the mixture or pouring the mixture into a mold. In the case of molding, in some instances, the heated mixture is exposed to a strong magnetic field (thereby providing alternating north and south poles), and then the bonding agent is cooled.
  • In some embodiments in accordance with the present inventive subject matter, the magnetic element(s) is/are readily cuttable. In such embodiments, a contractor (or other person installing molding) can cut the molding pieces without using any special tools, and without using any special technique, i.e., the molding pieces can be cut just like wood or composite material encountered with conventional molding.
  • As noted above, the expression “magnet-adhering element” encompasses anything that is attracted by a magnetic element, e.g., a metal plate.
  • Materials that are attracted by magnetic elements include materials that comprise iron, nickel and/or cobalt. Accordingly, a magnet-adhering element (for use in any of the aspects described herein) can consist essentially of (or consist of) a single magnet-adhering material, can consist essentially of (or consist of) two or more magnet-adhering materials, can comprise one or more magnet-adhering materials, can consist essentially of (or consist of) one or more magnet-adhering materials and one or more non-magnet-adhering materials, can comprise one or more magnet-adhering materials and one or more non-magnet-adhering materials, etc.
  • Magnet-adhering elements can be in any of a variety of shapes. Any suitable shape can be employed. In some embodiments, magnet-adhering elements have at least one substantially flat surface, e.g., a suitable magnet-adhering element can be a substantially flat rectangular shape (for example, a representative magnet-adhering element is of a six-sided orthorhombic shape, comprising four long, flat rectangular surfaces (top, bottom, front and rear), approximately of identical size and shape, and two (side) surfaces (each having small dimensions extending between the flat rectangular surfaces). A magnet-adhering element can be selected to have sufficient mass that (based on the arrangement of elements and the characteristics of the magnetic element(s) employed) it magnetically adheres to the magnetic element(s) with sufficient force to hold the device in place to a desired degree.
  • In some instances (particularly with regard to the magnetic element or elements in a molding piece), there might be a desire to paint over the molding piece structure and the magnetic element(s). Accordingly, in some embodiments, the magnetic element(s) are readily paintable.
  • Embodiments in accordance with the present inventive subject matter are described herein in detail in order to provide exact features of representative embodiments that are within the overall scope of the present inventive subject matter. The present inventive subject matter is not limited to such detail.
  • FIG. 1 schematically depicts a cross-section of a first embodiment of a molding piece 10 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. Referring to FIG. 1 , the molding piece 10 comprises a molding piece structure 11 and a first magnetic element 12. The first magnetic element 12 is positioned within a groove 13 in the molding piece structure 11. As shown by FIG. 1 , an entirety of the first magnetic element 12 partially fills the groove 13, i.e., the first magnetic element 12 is within the groove 13 but does not completely fill the groove 13, at least in the depth direction.
  • The molding piece structure 11 has a molding piece structure imaginary axis 14 that extends perpendicularly to the plane of FIG. 1 (i.e., the molding piece structure imaginary axis 14 extends perpendicularly into and out of the page). Cross-sections of the molding piece structure 11 along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis 14 are substantially the same size and shape. The length of the molding piece structure 11 (i.e., its dimension along the molding piece structure imaginary axis 14) can be any desired length, e.g., 8 feet. The length of the first magnetic element 12 (i.e., its dimension along the molding piece structure imaginary axis 14) is likewise any desired length. In some embodiments of molding pieces in accordance with the present inventive subject matter (and/or embodiments that comprise a molding piece), the length of the first magnetic element (or the combined length of a plurality of magnetic elements) is less than the length of the molding piece structure, e.g., at each end of the molding piece structure, the end of the magnetic element does not extend to the end of the molding piece structure, e.g., there is a short distance (such as 2 to 4 inches) from each end of the molding piece structure where there is no magnetic element.
  • The molding piece structure 11 is in the form of crown molding and has a cross-sectional shape as depicted in FIG. 1 . As noted herein, other embodiments of molding pieces in accordance with the present inventive subject matter have molding piece structures that have cross-sections that differ from the cross-section depicted in FIGS. 1-7 , i.e., molding piece structures in accordance with the present inventive subject matter can have any desired cross-section.
  • The groove 13 is defined by a first wall 17, a second wall 18 and a third wall 19. The second wall 18 is substantially perpendicular to the first wall 17, and the third wall 19 is substantially perpendicular to the second wall 18.
  • FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the molding piece 10 depicted in FIG. 1 . FIG. 8 shows the first end 15 of the molding piece structure 11 and the second end 16 of the molding piece structure 11.
  • FIG. 2 schematically depicts a cross-section of a second embodiment of a molding piece 20 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. Referring to FIG. 2 , the molding piece 20 comprises a molding piece structure 21 and a first magnetic element 22. The first magnetic element 22 is positioned within a groove 23 in the molding piece structure 21. As shown by FIG. 2 , an entirety of the first magnetic element 22 is in the groove and completely fills the groove 23, at least in the depth direction.
  • The molding piece structure 21 has a molding piece structure imaginary axis 24 that extends perpendicularly to the plane of FIG. 2 . Cross-sections of the molding piece structure 21 along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis 24 are substantially the same size and shape. The length of the molding piece structure 21 can be any desired length. The length of the first magnetic element 22 is likewise any desired length.
  • FIG. 3 schematically depicts a cross-section of a third embodiment of a molding piece 30 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. Referring to FIG. 3 , the molding piece 30 comprises a molding piece structure 31 and a first magnetic element 32. The first magnetic element 32 is positioned within a groove 33 in the molding piece structure 31. As shown by FIG. 3 , part of the first magnetic element 32 completely fills the groove 33 at least in the depth direction, and part of the first magnetic element 32 extends to outside the groove 33.
  • The molding piece structure 31 has a molding piece structure imaginary axis 34 that extends perpendicularly to the plane of FIG. 3 . Cross-sections of the molding piece structure 31 along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis 34 are substantially the same size and shape. The length of the molding piece structure 31 can be any desired length, and the length of the first magnetic element 32 is likewise any desired length.
  • FIG. 4 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fourth embodiment of a molding piece 40 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. Referring to FIG. 4 , the molding piece 40 comprises a molding piece structure 41 and a first magnetic element 42. The first magnetic element 42 is positioned within a groove 43 in the molding piece structure 41. As shown by FIG. 4 , part of the first magnetic element 42 partially fills the groove 43, at least in the depth direction (i.e., a part 45 of the groove 43 is empty) and part of the first magnetic element 42 extends to outside the groove 43.
  • The molding piece structure 41 has a molding piece structure imaginary axis 44 that extends perpendicularly to the plane of FIG. 4 . Cross-sections of the molding piece structure 41 along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis 44 are substantially the same size and shape. The length of the molding piece structure 41 can be any desired length, and the length of the first magnetic element 42 is likewise any desired length.
  • FIG. 5 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fifth embodiment of a molding piece 50 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. Referring to FIG. 5 , the molding piece 50 comprises a molding piece structure 51 and a first magnetic element 52. The first magnetic element 52 is on a surface 55 of the molding piece structure 51.
  • The molding piece structure 51 has a molding piece structure imaginary axis 54 that extends perpendicularly to the plane of FIG. 5 . Cross-sections of the molding piece structure 51 along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis 54 are substantially the same size and shape. The length of the molding piece structure 51 can be any desired length, and the length of the first magnetic element 52 is likewise any desired length.
  • FIG. 6 schematically depicts a cross-section of a sixth embodiment of a molding piece 60 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. Referring to FIG. 6 , the molding piece 60 comprises a molding piece structure 61, a first magnetic element 62 and a protruding rib 65. The first magnetic element 62 is in the form of magnetic tape.
  • The molding piece structure 61 has a molding piece structure imaginary axis 64 that extends perpendicularly to the plane of FIG. 6 . Cross-sections of the molding piece structure 61 along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis 64 are substantially the same size and shape. The length of the molding piece structure 61 can be any desired length, and the length of the first magnetic element 62 is likewise any desired length.
  • The protruding rib 65 comprises a first wall 67, a second wall 68 and a third wall 69. The second wall 68 is substantially perpendicular to the first wall 67, and the third wall 69 is substantially perpendicular to the second wall 68.
  • FIG. 7 schematically depicts a cross-section of a seventh embodiment of a molding piece 70 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. Referring to FIG. 7 , the molding piece 70 comprises a molding piece structure 71, a first magnetic element 72 and a groove 75. The first magnetic element 72 is in the form of magnetic tape.
  • The molding piece structure 71 has a molding piece structure imaginary axis 74 that extends perpendicularly to the plane of FIG. 7 . Cross-sections of the molding piece structure 71 along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape. The length of the molding piece structure 71 can be any desired length, and the length of the first magnetic element 72 is likewise any desired length.
  • The groove 75 is defined by a first wall 77, a second wall 78 and a third wall 79. The second wall 78 is substantially perpendicular to the first wall 77, and the third wall 79 is substantially perpendicular to the second wall 78.
  • FIG. 9 schematically depicts a cross-section taken along an imaginary plane of substantial symmetry of a first embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 90 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. Referring to FIG. 9 , the molding piece removably engaging device 90 comprises a removably engaging device structure 91 and a first element 92. The first element 92 is positioned within a groove 93 in the removably engaging device structure 91. As shown by FIG. 9 , an entirety of the first element 92 is in the groove 93 and completely fills the groove 93, at least in the depth direction. The first element 92 has a first element imaginary axis 94.
  • As noted herein, other embodiments of molding piece removably engaging devices in accordance with the present inventive subject matter have removably engaging device structures that have cross-sections that differ from the cross-section depicted in FIGS. 9-17 , i.e., removably engaging device structures in accordance with the present inventive subject matter can have any desired cross-section. Removably engaging device structures in accordance with the present inventive subject matter can have any desired overall shape and size.
  • FIG. 10 schematically depicts a cross-section of a second embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 100 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. Referring to FIG. 10 , the molding piece removably engaging device 100 comprises a removably engaging device structure 101 and a first element 102. The first element 102 is positioned within a groove 103 in the removably engaging device structure 101. As shown by FIG. 10 , an entirety of the first element 102 is in the groove 103 and partially fills the groove 103, at least in the depth direction. The first element 102 has a first element imaginary axis 104.
  • FIG. 11 schematically depicts a cross-section of a third embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 110 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. Referring to FIG. 11 , the molding piece removably engaging device 110 comprises a removably engaging device structure 111 and a first element 112. The first element 112 is positioned within a groove 113 in the removably engaging device structure 111. As shown by FIG. 11 , part of the first element 112 completely fills the groove 113, at least in the depth direction, and part of the first element 112 extends to outside the groove 113. The first element 112 has a first element imaginary axis 114.
  • FIG. 12 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fourth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 120 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. Referring to FIG. 12 , the molding piece removably engaging device 120 comprises a removably engaging device structure 121 and a first element 122. The first element 122 is on a surface of the removably engaging device structure 121. The first element 122 has a first element imaginary axis 124.
  • FIG. 18 schematically depicts a rear view (i.e., from the right in the orientation depicted in FIG. 12 ) of the molding piece removably engaging device 120 depicted in FIG. 12 .
  • FIG. 13 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fifth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 130 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. Referring to FIG. 13 , the molding piece removably engaging device 130 comprises a removably engaging device structure 131 and a first element 132. The first element 132 is in the form of magnetic tape (or a thin strip of metal).
  • FIG. 14 schematically depicts a cross-section of a sixth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 140 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. Referring to FIG. 14 , the molding piece removably engaging device 140 comprises a removably engaging device structure 141 and a first element 142. The first element 142 is positioned within a groove 143 in the removably engaging device structure 141. As shown by FIG. 14 , an entirety of the first element 142 is in the groove 143 and completely fills the groove 143, at least in the depth direction. The first element 142 has a first element imaginary axis 144. The molding piece removably engaging device 140 also comprises a protruding rib 145 which has a rib imaginary axis 146 which is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis 144.
  • The protruding rib 145 comprises a first wall 147, a second wall 148 and a third wall 149. The second wall 148 is substantially perpendicular to the first wall 147, and the third wall 149 is substantially perpendicular to the second wall 148.
  • FIG. 15 schematically depicts a cross-section of a seventh embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 150 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. Referring to FIG. 15 , the molding piece removably engaging device 150 comprises a removably engaging device structure 151 and a first element 152. The first element 152 is in the form of magnetic tape (or a thin strip of metal). The molding piece removably engaging device 150 also comprises a protruding rib 155 which has a rib imaginary axis 156.
  • The protruding rib 155 comprises a first wall 157, a second wall 158 and a third wall 159. The second wall 158 is substantially perpendicular to the first wall 157, and the third wall 159 is substantially perpendicular to the second wall 158.
  • FIG. 16 schematically depicts a cross-section of an eighth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 160 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. Referring to FIG. 16 , the molding piece removably engaging device 160 comprises a removably engaging device structure 161 and a first element 162. The first element 162 is positioned within a first groove 163 in the removably engaging device structure 161. As shown by FIG. 16 , an entirety of the first element 162 is in the first groove 163 and completely fills the first groove 163, at least in the depth direction. The first element 162 has a first element imaginary axis 164. The molding piece removably engaging device 160 also comprises a second groove 165 which has a second groove imaginary axis 166 that is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis 164.
  • The groove 165 is defined by a first wall 167, a second wall 168 and a third wall 169. The second wall 168 is substantially perpendicular to the first wall 167, and the third wall 169 is substantially perpendicular to the second wall 168.
  • FIG. 17 schematically depicts a cross-section of a ninth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 170 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. Referring to FIG. 17 , the molding piece removably engaging device 170 comprises a removably engaging device structure 171 and a first element 172. The first element 172 is in the form of magnetic tape (or a thin strip of metal). The molding piece removably engaging device 170 also comprises a groove 175.
  • FIG. 19 depicts a rear view of a tenth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device 190 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. Referring to FIG. 19 , the molding piece removably engaging device 190 comprises a removably engaging device structure 191, a first element 192 and a second element 196. The molding piece removably engaging device 190 also comprises a protruding rib 195 (or a recessed groove). Each of the first element 192 and the second element 196 comprises at least one of a magnetic element and a magnet-adhering element. The protruding rib 195 has a first rib imaginary axis 197. The removably engaging device structure 190 has at least a first imaginary plane of substantial symmetry 198, and the first element 192 is spaced from the second element 196 along a first imaginary line 199 that is substantially perpendicular to the first imaginary plane of substantial symmetry 198. The first imaginary line 199 is substantially parallel to the first rib imaginary axis 197.
  • The rear view of each of the first through ninth embodiments of molding piece removably engaging devices discussed above (i.e., whose cross-sectional views are shown in FIGS. 9-17 , respectively) can be any view consistent with their cross-sectional views. For example, the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of molding piece removably engaging devices can be configured such that their rear views are as shown in FIG. 18 ; the fifth embodiment of a molding piece removably engaging device can be configured such that its rear view is as shown in FIG. 18 , or as shown in FIG. 18 but modified in that the magnetic tape or the thin strip of metal is wider than the element 122; the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth embodiments of molding piece removably engaging devices can be configured such that their rear views are as shown in FIG. 18 , except that there is an additional elongated rectangular region (corresponding to the rib of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 or the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 , or the second groove of the embodiment shown in FIG. 16 , or the groove of the embodiment shown in FIG. 17 ) that has a horizontal axis that is substantially parallel to the horizontal axis of the region 122 shown in FIG. 18 . Alternatively, any first element in the embodiments of molding piece removably engaging devices can be replaced by two or more first elements, e.g., an elongated rectangular first element having a horizontal axis can be replaced by a pair of elongated rectangular first elements arranged end-to-end, with each elongated rectangular first element having a horizontal axis along the same line, or an elongated rectangular first element can be replaced by two or more elements of any shape, in which a horizontal line extends through a portion of each of the elements (such as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 19 , where two circular elements are arranged such that the imaginary line 199 extends through both of the circular elements.
  • Systems in accordance with the present inventive subject matter can comprise any combination of molding pieces as disclosed herein and molding piece removably engaging devices as disclosed herein. In some embodiments, there is both magnetic adherence and physical engagement between the molding piece and the molding piece removably engaging devices. In some embodiments, there is at least one structure on the molding piece that is magnetically adhered to at least one structure on the molding piece removably engaging device (i.e., a magnet/magnet-adhering element adherence or a magnet/magnet adherence), and at least one structure on the molding piece (distinct from the structure that is magnetically adhered) that physically engages with at least one structure on the molding piece (also distinct from the structure that is magnetically adhered), e.g., a groove and a rib (or a series of bumps and/or recesses on one and a complementary series of bumps and/or recesses on the other). In some embodiments, there is at least one structure on the molding piece that [1] is magnetically adhered to at least one structure on the molding piece removably engaging device and [2] that physically engages with at least one structure on the molding piece removably engaging device. In some embodiments, there is at least one structure on the molding piece removably engaging device that [1] is magnetically adhered to at least one structure on the molding piece and [2] that physically engages with at least one structure on the molding piece.
  • FIG. 20 schematically depicts a cross-section of a first embodiment of a system 200 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. The system 200 comprises a molding piece 201 and a molding piece removably engaging device 202.
  • The molding piece 201 comprises a molding piece structure 203 and a first magnetic element 204 in a groove 205 in the molding piece structure 203. An entirety of the first magnetic element 204 partially fills the groove 205, at least in the depth direction, i.e., the first magnetic element 204 is within the groove 205 but does not completely fill the groove 205.
  • The molding piece removably engaging device 202 comprises a removably engaging device structure 206 and a first element 207.
  • The first element 207 is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element 204.
  • FIG. 21 schematically depicts a cross-section of a second embodiment of a system 210 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. The system 210 comprises a molding piece 211 and a molding piece removably engaging device 212.
  • The molding piece 211 comprises a molding piece structure 213 and a first magnetic element 214 in a groove 215 in the molding piece structure 213. An entirety of the first magnetic element 214 partially fills the groove 215 at least in the depth direction, i.e., the first magnetic element 214 is within the groove 215 but does not completely fill the groove 215, at least in the depth direction.
  • The molding piece removably engaging device 212 comprises a removably engaging device structure 216 and a first element 217.
  • The first element 217 is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element 214.
  • FIG. 22 schematically depicts a cross-section of a third embodiment of a system 220 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. The system 220 comprises a molding piece 221 and a molding piece removably engaging device 222.
  • The molding piece 221 comprises a molding piece structure 223 and a first magnetic element 224 in a groove 225 in the molding piece structure 223. Part of the first magnetic element 224 completely fills the groove 225, at least in the depth direction, and part of the first magnetic element 224 extends to outside the groove 225.
  • The molding piece removably engaging device 222 comprises a removably engaging device structure 226 and a first element 227.
  • The first element 227 is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element 224.
  • FIG. 23 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fourth embodiment of a system 230 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. The system 230 comprises a molding piece 231 and a molding piece removably engaging device 232.
  • The molding piece 231 comprises a molding piece structure 233 and a first magnetic element 234 in a groove 235 in the molding piece structure 233. Part of the first magnetic element 234 partially fills the groove 235, at least in the depth direction, and part of the first magnetic element 234 extends to outside the groove 235.
  • The molding piece removably engaging device 232 comprises a removably engaging device structure 236 and a first element 237.
  • The first element 237 is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element 234.
  • FIG. 24 schematically depicts a cross-section of a fifth embodiment of a system 240 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. The system 240 comprises a molding piece 241 and a molding piece removably engaging device 242.
  • The molding piece 241 comprises a molding piece structure 243 and a first magnetic element 244 on a surface of the molding piece structure 243.
  • The molding piece removably engaging device 242 comprises a removably engaging device structure 246 and a first element 247.
  • The first element 247 is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element 244.
  • FIG. 25 schematically depicts a cross-section of a sixth embodiment of a system 250 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. The system 250 comprises a molding piece 251 and a molding piece removably engaging device 252.
  • The molding piece 251 comprises a molding piece structure 253, a first magnetic element 254 on a surface of the molding piece structure 253, and a groove 258. The first magnetic element 254 is in the form of magnetic tape.
  • The molding piece removably engaging device 252 comprises a removably engaging device structure 256, a first element 257, and a protruding rib 259.
  • The first element 257 is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element 254, and the protruding rib 259 is positioned within the groove 258.
  • FIG. 26 schematically depicts a cross-section of a seventh embodiment of a system 260 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. The system 260 comprises a molding piece 261 and a molding piece removably engaging device 262.
  • The molding piece 261 comprises a molding piece structure 263, a first magnetic element 264 on a surface of the molding piece structure 263, and a groove 268. The first magnetic element 264 is in the form of magnetic tape.
  • The molding piece removably engaging device 262 comprises a removably engaging device structure 266, a first element 267, and a protruding rib 269. The first element 267 is in the form of magnetic tape.
  • The first element 267 is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element 264, and the protruding rib 269 is positioned within the groove 268.
  • FIG. 27 schematically depicts a cross-section of an eighth embodiment of a system 270 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. The system 270 comprises a molding piece 271 and a molding piece removably engaging device 272.
  • The molding piece 271 comprises a molding piece structure 273, a first magnetic element 274 on a surface of the molding piece structure 273, and a protruding rib 278. The first magnetic element 274 is in the form of magnetic tape.
  • The molding piece removably engaging device 272 comprises a removably engaging device structure 276, a first element 277, and a groove 279.
  • The first element 277 is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element 274, and the protruding rib 278 is positioned within the groove 279.
  • FIG. 28 schematically depicts a cross-section of a ninth embodiment of a system 280 in accordance with the present inventive subject matter. The system 280 comprises a molding piece 281 and a molding piece removably engaging device 282.
  • The molding piece 281 comprises a molding piece structure 283, a first magnetic element 284 on a surface of the molding piece structure 283, and a protruding rib 288. The first magnetic element 284 is in the form of magnetic tape.
  • The molding piece removably engaging device 282 comprises a removably engaging device structure 286, a first element 287, and a groove 289. The first element 287 is in the form of magnetic tape.
  • The first element 287 is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element 284, and the protruding rib 288 is positioned within the groove 289.
  • Some embodiments in accordance with the present inventive subject matter in which a protruding rib is positioned within a groove (or is configured to be positioned within a groove) provide the advantage that the protruding rib and the groove in which it fits do not have to fit tightly to hold a molding piece removably engaging device in place relative to a molding piece due to the magnetic adherence of the first element to the first magnetic element, thereby avoiding damage to either or both of the groove and the rib.
  • Some embodiments in accordance with the present inventive subject matter provide the advantage that if the molding piece is painted, portions of the magnetic element(s) in the molding piece that are viewable because they are not covered by any molding piece removably engaging device have the appearance of molding, because edges of the magnetic element(s) (as well as edges of the molding piece that are adjacent to grooves within which the magnetic element(s) are positioned) are substantially parallel to other edges of the molding piece, such that such edges of the magnetic element(s) appear to be other uniform edges of the contour of the molding piece.
  • Furthermore, while certain embodiments of the present inventive subject matter have been illustrated with reference to specific combinations of elements, various other combinations may also be provided without departing from the teachings of the present inventive subject matter. Thus, the present inventive subject matter should not be construed as being limited to the particular exemplary embodiments described herein and illustrated in the Figures, but may also encompass combinations of elements of the various illustrated embodiments.
  • Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of the present disclosure, without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive subject matter.

Claims (58)

1. A molding piece, comprising:
a molding piece structure; and
at least a first magnetic element,
wherein:
the molding piece structure has a first groove,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape, and
the first magnetic element is in the first groove.
2. A molding piece as recited in claim 1, wherein the molding piece structure imaginary axis is in the same relative location in each of said cross-sections.
3. A molding piece as recited in claim 1, wherein cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape.
4-7. (canceled)
8. A molding piece as recited in claim 1, wherein:
at least a first region of a surface of the molding piece structure is substantially flat, and
the first groove is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the molding piece structure.
9-20. (canceled)
21. A molding piece as recited in claim 1, wherein:
a perimeter of an imaginary section of the molding piece, the imaginary section being perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis, comprises a back region and a profile region, the back region is substantially straight, and the profile region has a plurality of bends and/or curves, and
the first groove is in the profile region.
22. A molding piece, comprising:
a molding piece structure; and
at least a first magnetic element,
wherein:
the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape, and
cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape.
23-37. (canceled)
38. A molding piece, comprising:
a molding piece structure; and
at least a first magnetic element,
wherein:
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
the molding piece structure further comprises at least a first a protruding rib, and
the first magnetic element is on a surface of the molding piece structure.
39-53. (canceled)
54. A molding piece removably engaging device, comprising:
a removably engaging device structure; and
a first element,
wherein:
the first element is in contact with the removably engaging device structure,
the first element has a first element imaginary axis, and
the first element comprises at least one of a magnetic element and a magnet-adhering element.
55. A molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54 wherein:
the removably engaging device structure further comprises at least a first rib,
the first rib has a first rib imaginary axis, and
the first rib imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis.
56. (canceled)
57. A molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 55 wherein:
the molding piece removably engaging device further comprises at least a first groove,
the first groove has a first groove imaginary axis,
the first groove imaginary axis is parallel to the first element imaginary axis, and
the first element is at least partially in the first groove.
58-60. (canceled)
61. A molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54, wherein:
the removably engaging device further comprises at least a first groove,
the first groove has a first groove imaginary axis, and
the first groove imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis,
the removably engaging device structure further comprises at least a second groove,
the second groove has a second groove imaginary axis,
the second groove imaginary axis is parallel to the first element imaginary axis, and
the first element is in the second groove.
62. A molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54 wherein the first element comprises magnetic tape.
63. (canceled)
64. A molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54 wherein:
at least a first region of a surface of the removably engaging device structure is substantially flat, and
the first element is adjacent to the first region of the surface of the removably engaging device structure.
65-75. (canceled)
76. A molding piece removably engaging device, comprising:
a removably engaging device structure; and
at least first and second elements,
wherein:
the first element is in contact with the removably engaging device structure,
the second element is in contact with the removably engaging device structure, and
each of the first element and the second element comprises at least one of a magnetic element and a magnet-adhering element.
77-93. (canceled)
94. A molding piece removably engaging device, comprising:
a removably engaging device structure; and
a first element,
wherein:
the first element comprises at least one of a magnetic element and a magnet-adhering element,
the first element is in contact with the removably engaging device structure,
the removably engaging device structure comprises at least a first rib,
the first rib has a first rib imaginary axis,
the first element has a first element imaginary axis,
the first rib imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis.
95-98. (canceled)
99. A molding piece removably engaging device, comprising:
a removably engaging device structure; and
a first element,
wherein:
the first element comprises at least one of a magnetic element and a magnet-adhering element,
the first element is in contact with the removably engaging device structure,
the first element has a first element imaginary axis,
the removably engaging device comprises at least a first groove,
the first groove has a first groove imaginary axis,
the first groove imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis, and
the first element is spaced from the first groove.
100-103. (canceled)
104. A kit comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54,
wherein:
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape, and
the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove.
105. A kit comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54,
wherein:
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove, and
the molding piece and the first molding piece removably engaging device are configured such that at least a portion of the first element is capable of being positioned within the molding piece first groove.
106. A kit comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54,
wherein:
the removably engaging device further comprises at least a first groove,
the first groove has a first groove imaginary axis,
the first groove imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis,
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove, and
the molding piece and the first molding piece removably engaging device are configured such that at least a portion of the first magnetic element is capable of being positioned within the first groove of the removably engaging device.
107. A kit comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 55,
wherein:
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove and a second groove,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove, and
the molding piece and the first molding piece removably engaging device are configured such that at least a portion of the first rib of the removably engaging device is capable of being positioned within the molding piece second groove.
108. A kit comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54,
wherein:
the removably engaging device further comprises at least a first groove,
the first groove has a first groove imaginary axis,
the first groove imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis,
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove,
the molding piece structure further comprises a molding piece first rib, and
the molding piece and the first molding piece removably engaging device are configured such that at least a portion of the molding piece first rib of the molding piece structure is capable of being positioned within the first groove of the removably engaging device.
109. A kit comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54,
wherein:
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape, and
cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape.
110. A kit comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54,
wherein:
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape, and
the molding piece and the first molding piece removably engaging device are configured such that at least a portion of the first element is capable of being positioned within the molding piece first groove.
111. A kit comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54,
wherein:
the removably engaging device further comprises at least a first groove,
the first groove has a first groove imaginary axis,
the first groove imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis,
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape, and
the molding piece and the first molding piece removably engaging device are configured such that at least a portion of the first magnetic element is capable of being positioned within the first groove of the removably engaging device.
112. A kit comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 55,
wherein:
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape,
the molding piece structure further comprises a molding piece first groove,
the molding piece and the first molding piece removably engaging device are configured such that at least a portion of the first rib of the removably engaging device is capable of being positioned within the molding piece first groove.
113. A kit comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54,
wherein:
the removably engaging device further comprises at least a first groove,
the first groove has a first groove imaginary axis,
the first groove imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis,
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape,
the molding piece structure further comprises at least a first protruding rib, and
cross-sections of the first protruding rib along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape for a distance that is at least 80 percent of a length along the molding piece structure imaginary axis from the first end of the molding piece structure to the second end of the molding piece structure,
the molding piece and the first molding piece removably engaging device are configured such that at least a portion of the first protruding rib of the molding piece structure is capable of being positioned within the first groove of the removably engaging device.
114. A kit comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54,
wherein:
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
the molding piece structure further comprises at least a first protruding rib, and
the first magnetic element is on a surface of the molding piece structure.
115. A kit comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54,
wherein:
the removably engaging device further comprises at least a first groove,
the first groove has a first groove imaginary axis,
the first groove imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis,
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
the molding piece structure further comprises at least a first protruding rib,
the first magnetic element is on a surface of the molding piece structure, and
the molding piece and the first molding piece removably engaging device are configured such that at least a portion of the protruding rib of the molding piece structure is capable of being positioned within the first groove of the removably engaging device.
116. A kit comprising:
at least first and second molding piece removably engaging devices,
each of the first and second molding piece removably engaging devices comprising a molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54.
117. A system comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54,
wherein:
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove, and
the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
118. A system comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54,
wherein:
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove,
at least a portion of the first element is positioned within the molding piece first groove, and
the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
119. A system comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54,
wherein:
the removably engaging device further comprises at least a first groove,
the first groove has a first groove imaginary axis,
the first groove imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis,
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove,
at least a portion of the first magnetic element is positioned within the first groove of the removably engaging device, and
the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
120. A system comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 55,
wherein:
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove and a second groove,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove,
at least a portion of the first rib of the removably engaging device is positioned within the molding piece second groove, and
the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
121. A system comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54,
wherein:
the removably engaging device further comprises at least a first groove,
the first groove has a first groove imaginary axis,
the first groove imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis,
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove,
the molding piece structure further comprises a molding piece first rib,
at least a portion of the molding piece first rib of the molding piece structure is positioned within the first groove of the removably engaging device, and
the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
122. A system comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54,
wherein:
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape, and
the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
123. A system comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54,
wherein:
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape,
at least a portion of the first element is positioned within the molding piece first groove, and
the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
124. A system comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54,
wherein:
the removably engaging device further comprises at least a first groove,
the first groove has a first groove imaginary axis,
the first groove imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis,
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape,
at least a portion of the first magnetic element is positioned within the first groove of the removably engaging device, and
the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
125. A system comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 55,
wherein:
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape,
the molding piece structure further comprises a molding piece first groove,
at least a portion of the first rib of the removably engaging device is positioned within the molding piece first groove, and
the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
126. A system comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54,
wherein:
the removably engaging device further comprises at least a first groove,
the first groove has a first groove imaginary axis,
the first groove imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis,
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the first magnetic element is in contact with the molding piece structure,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
cross-sections of the first magnetic element along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape,
the molding piece structure further comprises at least a first protruding rib,
cross-sections of the first protruding rib along said imaginary planes are substantially the same size and shape for a distance that is at least 80 percent of a length along the molding piece structure imaginary axis from the first end of the molding piece structure to the second end of the molding piece structure,
at least a portion of the first protruding rib of the molding piece structure is positioned within the first groove of the removably engaging device, and
the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
127. A system comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54,
wherein:
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
the molding piece structure further comprises at least a first protruding rib,
the first magnetic element is on a surface of the molding piece structure, and
the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
128. A system comprising:
a molding piece, and
at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54,
wherein:
the removably engaging device further comprises at least a first groove,
the first groove has a first groove imaginary axis,
the first groove imaginary axis is substantially parallel to the first element imaginary axis
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape,
the molding piece structure further comprises at least a first protruding rib,
the first magnetic element is on a surface of the molding piece structure,
at least a portion of the protruding rib of the molding piece structure is positioned within the first groove of the removably engaging device, and
the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
129-130. (canceled)
131. A method comprising:
positioning a molding piece relative to at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 54,
wherein:
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape, and
the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove,
such that:
the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
132-142. (canceled)
143. A method comprising:
positioning a molding piece relative to at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 76,
wherein:
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape, and
the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove,
such that:
the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
144. A method comprising:
positioning a molding piece relative to at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 94,
wherein:
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape, and
the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove,
such that:
the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
145. A method comprising:
positioning a molding piece relative to at least a first molding piece removably engaging device as recited in claim 99,
wherein:
the molding piece comprises a molding piece structure and at least a first magnetic element,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece first groove,
the molding piece structure has a first end and a second end,
the molding piece structure has a molding piece structure imaginary axis that extends through the first end of the molding piece structure and the second end of the molding piece structure,
cross-sections of the molding piece structure along imaginary planes perpendicular to the molding piece structure imaginary axis are substantially the same size and shape, and
the first magnetic element is in the molding piece first groove,
such that:
the first element is magnetically adhered to the first magnetic element.
US17/807,126 2021-06-17 2022-06-15 Molding pieces, molding piece removably engaging devices, kits and systems, and methods Pending US20220403671A1 (en)

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