WO1997029258A1

WO1997029258A1 - A wall trim member

Info

Publication number: WO1997029258A1
Application number: PCT/EP1997/000563
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johannes Carel Liebenberg
Original assignee: Implico B.V.
Priority date: 1996-02-09
Filing date: 1997-02-07
Publication date: 1997-08-14
Also published as: ZA971037B; AU1767497A

Abstract

A wall trim member blank (10) comprises an elongate unitary component (12) having an elongate base section (14) extending along the length of the component (12) and which, in use, will abut a building wall and/or a floor or ceiling adjacent the wall. A first clip formation (32) protrudes from the base section. An elongate cover portion (40) also extends along the length of the component (12) and is attached to the base section along a primary fold line (36) spaced from the first clip formation (32) so that it can fold along the fold line (36) relative to the base section. The cover portion (40) has a complementary second clip formation (44) adapted to engage the first clip (32) formation of the base section.

Description

A WALL TRIM MEMBER

THIS INVENTION relates to a wall trim member. It relates also to a wall trim member blank, to a method of finishing a building wall, and to a finished building wall.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a wall trim member blank, which comprises an elongate unitary component having an elongate base section extending along the length of the component and which, in use, will abut a building wall and/or a floor or ceiling adjacent the wall, with a first clip formation protruding from the base section; and an elongate cover portion also extending along the length of the component and attached to the base section along a primary fold line spaced from the first clip formation so that it can fold along the fold line relative to the base section, with the cover portion having a complementary second clip formation adapted to engage the first clip formation of the base section.

The base section may comprise a first portion extending along the length of the component and adapted to abut the wall, and a second portion also extending along the length of the component and adapted to abut the floor or the ceiling. The second portion may be attached to the first portion along a secondary fold line which is parallel to the primary fold line.

The first portion of the base section may comprise a plurality of spaced parallel ridges extending the length of the component so that the ridges, in use, abut the wall. The second portion may be arcuate shaped between the primary and secondary fold lines, while the cover portion may also be arcuate shaped between the primary fold line and the second clip formation.

While the component can, at least in principle, be of any suitable material, it preferably is of plastics material, such as rigid polyvinylchloride ('PVC') . In particular, it may be an extrusion of such plastics material.

The first and second clip formations may also extend the full length of the component.

The component may include an arcuate channel portion attached to the first clip formation and adapted, in use, to define a channel adjacent the wall. The channel portion thus has a free edge which, in use, abuts the wall.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of finishing a building wall, which method comprises locating the second portion of a wall trim blank as hereinbefore described, against a floor or a ceiling in proximity to a corner which the floor or ceiling forms with a building wall; folding the first portion thereof relative to the second portion along the secondary fold line so that the ridges of the first portion abut the wall; fastening the first portion to the wall; folding the cover portion relative to the second portion along the primary fold line; and engaging the first and second clip formations.

In other words, the blank according to the first aspect of the invention is, in the method of finishing the building wall, folded into a wall trim member or beading. The wall trim member or beading may thus be in the form of a decorative and functional skirting or cornice, which covers or spans said corner. After installation, the wall trim member requires little or no finishing.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a wall trim member, which comprises an elongate unitary component having an elongate first portion extending along the length of the component and adapted to abut a wall, with a first clip formation protruding from the first portion; an elongate second portion extending along the length of the component and protruding from the first portion, with the second portion being spaced from the first clip formation and being adapted to abut a floor or a ceiling associated with the wall; and an elongate cover portion extending along the length of the component and protruding from the second portion, the cover portion having a second clip formation which is complementary to the first clip formation and being foldable relative to the second portion along a fold line spaced from the first portion so that the cover portion can be folded relative to the first and second portions from an open configuration in which the second clip formation is not engaged with the first clip formation, to a closed configuration in which the first and second clip formations are engaged, with a channel being defined between the first, second and cover portions when the cover portion is in its closed configuration.

The elongate unitary component may be of plastics material, while the attachment of the second portion to the first portion being along a secondary fold line extending parallel to the other or primary fold line, as hereinbefore described.

The first, second and cover portions of the wall trim member may be as hereinbefore described. Likewise, the first and second clip formations may be as hereinbefore described.

The wall trim member may include an elongate arcuate channel portion attached to the first clip formation, the channel portion also extending the length of the component so that a channel is defined between the first clip formation and the channel portion, with a free edge of the channel portion abutting the wall, in use. Cables, such as telephone or electric cables, can thus be located in the channel in use, and are hidden from view by the channel portion. The free edge of the channel portion may protrude beyond the plane in which apices or crests of the ridges lie. The channel portion is thus sufficiently deformable or flexible, due to its shape and the nature of the plastics material, so that it has inherent resilience which causes the free edge to accommodate irregularities and undulations in the wall surface and thus lie flush against the wall surface. In other words, the arcuate shape of the channel portion biasses or urges the free edge into firm contact with the wall.

A part of the second portion in proximity to the primary fold line, may protrude beyond a second plane extending orthogonally to the first plane, with the secondary fold line located in the second plane, when the clip formations are engaged. This permits the second portion to lie flush against the floor or ceiling, even if the floor or ceiling has irregularities or undulations, due to the shape of the second portion and the cover portion, and the nature of the plastics material. In other words, when the second clip formation of the cover portion engages the first clip formation, the cover portion biasses or urges said part of the second portion to protrude beyond the second plane.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a wall trim member which comprises an elongate unitary component having an elongate first portion extending along the length of the component and adapted to abut a wall, with a first clip formation protruding from the first portion; an elongate second portion extending along the length of the component and protruding from the first portion, with the second portion being spaced from the first clip formation and being adapted to abut a floor or a ceiling associated with the wall; and an elongate cover portion extending along the length of the component and protruding from the second portion, the cover portion having a second clip formation which is complementary to the first clip formation and being foldable relative to the second portion along a fold line spaced from the first portion so that the cover portion can be folded relative to the first and second portions from an open configuration in which the second clip formation is not engaged with the first clip formation, to a closed configuration in which the first and second clip formations are engaged, with the first and second clip formations also extending along the length of the component; and an elongate arcuate channel portion attached to the first clip formation, the channel portion also extending the length of the component so that a channel is defined between the first clip formation and the channel portion, with a free edge of the channel portion abutting the wall, in use.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a finished building wall, comprising a building wall located between a floor and a ceiling, and a wall trim member as hereinbefore described, extending along a corner of the wall with the floor or the ceiling, the first portion of the wall trim member being fastened to the wall by means of fasteners extending through the first portion, with the fasteners hidden from view by the cover portion in its closed configuration, and the second portion of the wall trim member abutting the floor or the ceiling.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, FIGURE 1 shows a three-dimensional view of part of a wall trim member blank according to the first aspect of the invention;

FIGURE 2 shows an end view of the blank of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 shows an end view of a package of the blanks of Figure 1;

FIGURE 4 shows a three-dimensional view of part of a wall trim member according to the third and fourth aspects of the invention;

FIGURE 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the wall trim member according to Figure 4;

FIGURE 6 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a finished building wall, incorporating the wall trim member of Figure 4;

FIGURE 7 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a finished wall according to the invention, incorporating a different wall trim member; and

FIGURE 8 shows a cross-sectional view, similar to Figure 6, of another embodiment of a finished building wall, incorporating another wall trim member.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a wall trim member blank, according to the first aspect of the invention.

The blank 10 comprises an elongate unitary component, generally indicated by reference numeral 12. The unitary component 12 is of plastics material, such as rigid polyvinyl chloride ('PVC'). Thus, the unitary component 12 can be extruded from PVC of a desired colour so that subsequent painting or other surface treatment or finishing thereof after installation is not required. The plastics material can be selected to provide desired properties, eg the plastics material can be selected to have flame retardant properties. The component 12 has a first portion, generally indicated by reference numeral 14, extending the full length of the component 12. The portion 14 comprises three parallel ridges or ribs 16, 18 and 20 having apices 22, 24 and 26 respectively. A valley 28 is this provided between the ridges 16, 18, while a valley 30 is provided between the ridges 18 and 20.

A first clip formation 32 protrudes from the first portion 14, and also extends the full length of the component 12.

The component 12 also has a second portion 34 extending the full length of the component 12. The second portion 34 is attached to the first portion 14 along a fold line 36. The fold line 36 typically is in the form of a line of weakening in the component 12. The component 34 is arcuate shaped when seen in cross-section, ie between the fold line 36 and another fold line 38 along which the second portion 34 is attached to a cover portion, generally indicated by reference numeral 40.

The cover portion 40 is also generally arcuate shaped in cross-section, and comprises a ridge 42. The cover portion 40, and hence the ridge 42, also extends the full length of the component 12.

The cover portion 40 includes a clip formation 44 which is complementary to the clip formation 32. The clip formation 44 also extends the full length of the component 12, and is arcuate shaped in cross-section. Finally, the component 12 includes an arcuate channel portion 46 attached to the clip formation 32. The channel portion 46 also extends the full length of the component 12, and has a free edge 48 remote from the clip formation 32.

As indicated in Figure 3, a plurality of the blanks 10 can be formed into a compact package 50, by nestling the blanks one within the other, and securing them together by means of straps 52.

The packages 50 are thus compact, and occupy a relatively small volume. The compact packages also permit easy handling and transport of the blanks 10.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, reference numeral 100 generally indicates a wall trim member according to the third and fourth aspects of the invention.

Parts of the wall trim member 100 which are the same or similar to those of the blank 10 hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, are indicated with the same reference numerals.

The wall trim member 100 is thus formed from the blank 10, by folding the second portion 34 relative to the first portion 14, along the fold line 36. Similarly, the cover portion 40 is folded relative to the second portion 34 along the fold line 38, and the clip formation 44 engaged with the clip formation 32. The cover portion 40 can thus be moved relative to the second portion 34 from an open configuration as indicated in broken line in Figure 5, in which the clip formation 44 is not engaged with the clip formation 32, to a closed configuration, as indicated in solid line in Figure 5, in which the clip formations 32, 44 engage.

The ridge apices 22, 24, 26 lie in a plane 102. The free edge 48 of the channel portion 46 protrudes beyond this plane, as indicated in Figure 5.

The fold line 36 lies in a second plane 104 extending orthogonally to the plane 102. The fold line 38, and a part of the second portion 34 immediately adjacent the fold line 38, then protrude beyond this plane 104, as also shown in Figure 5.

Referring to Figure 6, reference numeral 150 generally indicates a finished building wall, according to one embodiment of the fifth aspect of the invention, and incorporating the wall trim member 100 of Figures 4 and 5.

The finished building wall 150 includes a vertical building wall 152, and a floor 154, with a corner 156 being defined where the wall 152 joins the floor 154. To install the wall trim member 100, the apices 22, 24 and 26 of the ridges 16, 18 and 20 respectively are located against the wall 152 in proximity to the corner 156, so that the second portion 34 is adjacent the floor 154, with the fold lines 36, 38 abutting the floor. The first portion 14 is then secured to the wall 152 by means of nails 158 or other suitable fasteners such as screws or the like. Such fastening is effected through the opening provided by the cover member 40 when it is in its open position as indicated in broken line in Figure 5. After the nails or other fasteners have been located in position, the cover portion 40 is then folded to its closed position in which the clip formation 44 engages the clip formation 32. In this fashion, the heads 160 of the fasteners are hidden from view, providing a neat finish. The wall trim member 100 thus also hides the often unsightly corner 156 from view.

The channel portion 46 defines a channel 162 adjacent the wall 152. Electrical wiring etc can be located in this channel and is thus hidden from view, thereby also contributing to a neat appearance. The channel 160 is accessed merely by urging the channel portion 46 away from the wall. The flexibility of the plastics material of the channel portion permits this; however, on release of the channel portion, the resilience provided by the plastics material from which the component 12 is moulded and the arcuate shape of the channel portion 46, urges the channel portion to resume its arcuate shape in which it abuts against the wall surface.

By virtue thereof that the edge 48 of the channel portion 46 protrudes beyond the plane 102 as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 5, the channel portion 46 lies flush against the wall 152 even if the wall has an irregular or undulating finish. Likewise, since the fold line 38 protrudes beyond the plane 104 as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 5, the parts of the second portion 34 which contain the fold lines lie flush against the floor 154 even if the floor surface is irregular or undulating. These flush fittings are due to the inherent flexibility of the PVC from which the component 12 is formed, as well as the forces exerted by the resilience provided by the arcuate shapes of the channel portion 46 and the cover member 40. These features 5 thus serve to urge or resiliently force, in the case of the channel portion 46, the edge 48 firmly against the wall surface, and, in the case of the cover portion 40, a portion thereof adjacent the fold line 38, firmly against the floor surface, so that irregularities in the surfaces 0 are thereby accommodated. The wall trim member 100 thus functions as a skirting.

Referring to Figure 7, reference numeral 200 generally indicates a finished building wall according to another embodiment of the invention.

15 Parts of the finished building wall 200 which are the same or similar to those of the finished building wall 150 hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 6, are indicated with the same reference numerals.

In the finished building wall 200, a ceiling 202 is fitted 2.0 to the wall 152. The wall trim member 100 is then used in an upside-down configuration as compared to that used in the finished building wall 150, so that the second portion 34 thereof is adjacent the ceiling. Thus, the wall trim member is then used as a cornice.

25 The wall trim member 100 can then be used with a separate lateral extension component 204. The extension component 204 includes an inner portion 206 which is secured against the undersurface of the ceiling 202 by means of fasteners 158 prior to the wall trim member 100 being located in position. However, the fasteners 158 securing the component 204 can be dispensed with, if desired. The extension component 204 includes an arcuate shaped decorative portion 208 integral with the inner portion 206. The edge of the wall trim member 100 provided by the fold line 38 then nestles in the joint of the decorative portion 208 and the inner portion 206 of the extension component 204.

If desired, when the wall trim member of the invention is used as a cornice, the lateral extension component 204 can be dispensed with. The second portion 34 can then be somewhat wider, eg it can have a width such that it extends the same distance from the wall as does the portion 208 of the component 204.

Referring to Figure 8, reference numeral 250 generally indicates a finished building wall according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

Parts of the finished building wall 250 which are the same or similar to those of the finished building wall 150 hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 6, are indicated with the same reference numerals.

The finished building wall 250 includes a wall trim member 100' which is identical to the wall trim member 100, save that the width of the first clip formation 32 thereof is slightly less, and is shaped so that it engages the second clip formation 44 more positively. The Applicant believes that the wall trim members of the invention, apart from having the important feature of being able to accommodate irregularities or unevenness in the surfaces against which they abut and which cannot readily be accommodated by conventional contoured wooden skirtings or paper-surfaced moulded gypsum or plaster of paris cornices, will also have other advantages, such as they are relatively lightweight, so that they can easily be transported - they can easily be extruded to desired lengths so that they can span an entire desired distance, eg a wall, thereby avoiding joins along the wall; however, in the event a join is required, they can easily be joined in collinear relationship by adhesively securing abutting ends together. If desired, such a joint can then be covered with a cover strip or cover piece having a matching or complimentary profile. Instead, however, such a cover strip or piece can be used on its own, ie without the adhesive securing together so that the cover strip or piece then acts as guide for holding the ends of the wall trim member in position. Similar cover strips or cover pieces can be used at other joints such as at inner or outer corners, and at ends of the wall trim members, with the cover strips or pieces then being secured in position adhesively, by screws or the like . The cover strips or pieces can typically be injection moulded from rigid or flexible PVC a wide variety of appearances can readily be provided for by providing extruded blanks of differing colours and/or shapes and/or surface textures they can readily be installed, even by unskilled workers they are durable since PVC or other plastics material is not susceptible to rotting, and attack by fungi and termites.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A wall trim member blank, which comprises an elongate unitary component having an elongate base section extending along the length of the component and which, in use, will abut a building wall and/or a floor or ceiling adjacent the wall, with a first clip formation protruding from the base section; and an elongate cover portion also extending along the length of the component and attached to the base section along a primary fold line spaced from the first clip formation so that it can fold along the fold line relative to the base section, with the cover portion having a complementary second clip formation adapted to engage the first clip formation of the base section.

2. A blank according to Claim 1, wherein the base section comprises a first portion extending along the length of the component and adapted to abut the wall, and a second portion also extending along the length of the component and adapted to abut the floor or the ceiling, with the second portion attached to the first portion along a secondary fold line which is parallel to the primary fold line.

3. A blank according to Claim 2, wherein the first portion of the base section comprises a plurality of spaced parallel ridges extending the length of the component so that the ridges, in use, abut the wall, with the second portion being arcuate shaped between the primary and secondary fold lines, and with the cover portion also being arcuate shaped between the primary fold line and the second clip formation.

4. A blank according to Claim 3, wherein the first and second clip formations also extend the full length of the component.

5. A blank according to Claim 4, wherein the component includes an arcuate channel portion attached to the first clip formation and adapted, in use, to define a channel adjacent the wall.

6. A method of finishing a building wall, which method comprises locating the second portion of a wall trim blank as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 5 inclusive, against a floor or a ceiling in proximity to a corner which the floor or ceiling forms with a building wall; folding the first portion thereof relative to the second portion along the secondary fold line so that the ridges of the first portion abut the wall; fastening the first portion to the wall; folding the cover portion relative to the second portion along the primary fold line; and engaging the first and second clip formations.

7. A wall trim member, which comprises an elongate unitary component having an elongate first portion extending along the length of the component and adapted to abut a wall, with a first clip formation protruding from the first portion; an elongate second portion extending along the length of the component and protruding from the first portion, with the second portion being spaced from the first clip formation and being adapted to abut a floor or a ceiling associated with the wall; and an elongate cover portion extending along the length of the component and protruding from the second portion, the cover portion having a second clip formation which is complementary to the first clip formation and being foldable relative to the second portion along a fold line spaced from the first portion so that the cover portion can be folded relative to the first and second portions from an open configuration in which the second clip formation is not engaged with the first clip formation, to a closed configuration in which the first and second clip formations are engaged, with a channel being defined between the first, second and cover portions when the cover portion is in its closed configuratio .

8. A wall trim member according to Claim 7, wherein the elongate unitary component is of plastics material, with the attachment of the second portion to the first portion being along a secondary fold line extending parallel to the other or primary fold line.

9. A wall trim member according to Claim 8, wherein the first portion comprises a plurality of spaced parallel ridges extending the length of the component so that the ridges, in use, abut the wall, with the second portion being arcuate shaped between the primary and secondary fold lines, and with the cover portion also being arcuate shaped between the primary fold line and the second clip formation.

10. A wall trim member according to Claim 9, wherein the first and second clip formations also extend the full length of the component.

11. A wall trim member according to Claim 10, which includes an elongate arcuate channel portion attached to the first clip formation, the channel portion also extending the length of the component so that a channel is defined between the first clip formation and the channel portion, with a free edge of the channel portion abutting the wall, in use.

12. A wall trim member according to Claim 11, wherein the free edge of the channel portion protrudes beyond the plane in which apices or crests of the ridges lie.

13. A wall trim member according to Claim 12, wherein a part of the second portion in proximity to the primary fold line, protrudes beyond a second plane extending orthogonally to the first plane, with the secondary fold line located in the second plane, when the clip formations are engaged.

14. A wall trim member which comprises an elongate unitary component having an elongate first portion extending along the length of the component and adapted to abut a wall, with a first clip formation protruding from the first portion; an elongate second portion extending along the length of the component and protruding from the first portion, with the second portion being spaced from the first clip formation and being adapted to abut a floor or a ceiling associated with the wall; and an elongate cover portion extending along the length of the component and protruding from the second portion, the cover portion having a second clip formation which is complementary to the first clip formation and being foldable relative to the second portion along a fold line spaced from the first portion so that the cover portion can be folded relative to the first and second portions from an open configuration in which the second clip formation is not engaged with the first clip formation, to a closed configuration in which the first and second clip formations are engaged, with the first and second clip formations also extending along the length of the component; and an elongate arcuate channel portion attached to the first clip formation, the channel portion also extending the length of the component so that a channel is defined between the first clip formation and the channel portion, with a free edge of the channel portion abutting the wall, in use.

15. A finished building wall, comprising a building wall located between a floor and a ceiling, and a wall trim member according to any one of Claims 7 to 14 inclusive, extending along a corner of the wall with the floor or the ceiling, the first portion of the wall trim member being fastened to the wall by means of fasteners extending through the first portion, with the fasteners hidden from view by the cover portion in its closed configuration, and the second portion of the wall trim member abutting the floor or the ceiling.

16. A novel wall trim member blank, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

17. A novel method of finishing a building wall, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

18. A novel wall trim member, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

19. A novel finished building wall, substantially as described and illustrated herein.