WO2014043785A1

WO2014043785A1 - Improvements for decorative elements and improvements for click-on decorative elements

Info

Publication number: WO2014043785A1
Application number: PCT/CA2013/000779
Authority: WO
Inventors: Louis Bergevin
Original assignee: Louis Bergevin
Priority date: 2012-09-19
Filing date: 2013-09-17
Publication date: 2014-03-27

Abstract

The present document describes a mounting element to be installed on a surface and for receiving a decorative element, the mounting element comprising: an interface portion for fixedly interfacing with the surface; a mating connector outwardly extending from one end of the interface portion for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector of the decorative element and for allowing at least a portion of the decorative element to releasably interface with the surface; and a recess at another end of the interface portion, opposite to the mating connector and the interface portion, the recess for receiving at least one decorative element.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS FOR DECORATIVE ELEMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS FOR CLICK-ON DECORATIVE ELEMENTS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority of US provisional patent application 61/703,137, filed on September 19, 2012, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

(a) Field

[0002] The subject matter disclosed generally relates to the field of building materials. More particularly, the subject matter relates to improvements for decorative elements applied to surfaces.

(b) Related Prior Art

[0003] Typically, when a home is having its floor covering replaced, all wall base decorative elements usually remain fastened to the walls because it matches existing wall base decorative element throughout the home. As it is noticed, replacing the wall base decorative elements is not only expensive, it may also require refinishing the walls where the wall base decorative elements are attached. When a finished decorative element, or molding, is required at the edge of finished flooring where it meets the wall base, decorative elements, or moldings may typically be installed.

[0004] There is still a need in the field of building materials for improved mounting elements, improved decorative elements, improved decorative systems, improved decorative assembly kits, improved flexible adjustment portions to be installed within a recess of a decorative element and improved angular decorative elements.

SUMMARY

[0005] According to an embodiment, there is provided a mounting element to be installed on a surface and for receiving a decorative element, the mounting element comprising: an interface portion for fixedly interfacing with the surface; a mating connector outwardly extending from one end of the interface portion for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector of the decorative element and for allowing at least a portion of the decorative element to releasably interface with the surface; and a recess at another end of the interface portion, opposite to the mating connector and the interface portion, the recess for receiving at least one decorative element.

[0006] According to another embodiment, the interface portion, the mating connector and the recess comprise a two inversed-L-shaped configuration.

[0007] According to another embodiment, the interface portion comprises a recess portion for allowing a passage for at least one wire.

[0008] According to another embodiment, the recess comprises a mating connector for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector of the decorative adjustment element.

[0009] According to another embodiment, there is provided a decorative element to be installed on a surface mounting element fixedly attached to a surface, the decorative element comprising: a decorative external face and an interface side; and a mating connector for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector of the surface mounting element and for allowing at least a portion of the interface side to releasably interface with the surface; wherein when the mating connector of the decorative element is releasably connected to the corresponding mating connector of the surface mounting element, a gap is created between the mating connector of the decorative element and the corresponding mating connector of the mounting element for allowing dilatation.

[0010] According to another embodiment, the gap created between the mating connector of the decorative element and the corresponding mating connector of the mounting element comprises two gaps, a first gap at an end of the mating connector and a second gap at another end of the mating connector and opposite to the first gap.

[0011] According to another embodiment, the decorative element further comprises two opposite sides, each side having a fastener for releasably engaging with a corresponding fastener on an adjacent decorative element.

[0012] According to another embodiment, the decorative element further comprises another mating connector opposite to the mating connector for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector of a decorative adjustment element.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the decorative element further comprises an interface portion, opposite to the decorative external face, for releasably interfacing with the surface.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the interface portion comprises a recess portion.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the recess portion is for allowing a passage for at least one wire.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the recess portion is for receiving a flexible adjustment portion, the flexible adjustment portion being for releasably adopting a shape for allowing the decorative element to be level compared to the surface in the presence of imperfections in the surface.

[0017] According to another embodiment, there is provided a decorative assembly kit to be installed on a surface, the decorative assembly kit comprising the mounting element as described above; and the decorative element as described above.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the decorative assembly kit further comprises a decorative element for releasably connecting with the recess of the mounting element. [0019] According to another embodiment, there is provided a flexible adjustment portion to be installed within a recess of a decorative element or of a mounting element, the flexible adjustment portion comprising: a substantially flat portion for interfacing with a corresponding substantially flat surface of the recess of the decorative element or of the recess of the mounting element; and a flexible portion extending outwardly from the flat portion and opposite to the flat surface of the recess; wherein when at least one of the decorative element and the mounting element is releasably installed on a surface, the flexible portion releasably adopts a shape for allowing the at least one decorative element and mounting element to be level compared to the surface in the presence of imperfections in the surface.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the substantially flat portion is fixedly connected to the corresponding substantially flat surface of the recess.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the flexible portion defines a hollow section when extending outwardly from the substantially flat portion.

[0022] According to another embodiment, at least one of the substantially flat portion and the flexible portion is made of a polymeric flexible material.

[0023] According to another embodiment, there is provided an angular decorative element to be installed on an angular surface mounting element fixedly attached to an angular surface or on adjacent surface mounting elements fixedly attached to the angular surface, the angular decorative element comprising: a decorative angular external face and an angular interface face; and an angular mating connector for releasably connecting to a corresponding angular mating connector of the angular surface mounting element or on the adjacent surface mounting elements, the angular mating connector allowing at least a portion of the angular interface face to releasably interface with the angular surface. [0024] According to another embodiment, the decorative angular external face defines an angle comprised between 10° and 150°.

[0025] According to another embodiment, the decorative angular external face defines an angle of 90°.

[0026] According to another embodiment, the decorative angular external face comprises a foldable layer and wherein the angular mating connector comprises two adjacent angular mating connectors for releasably connecting to corresponding angular mating connectors of the angular surface mounting element or on the adjacent surface mounting elements, the foldable layer covering the two adjacent angular mating connectors, wherein the foldable layer is integrally formed for allowing the angular decorative element to fold an unfold to adopt any positions between a non installed position and a releasably installed position.

[0027] According to another embodiment, one of the adjacent angular mating connectors defines a longitudinal edge for interfacing with a corresponding longitudinal edge of the other one of the adjacent angular mating connector when adopting the releasably installed position.

[0028] According to another embodiment, the longitudinal edge and the corresponding longitudinal edge define a 45° longitudinal edge.

[0029] Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the subject matter disclosed and claimed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive and the full scope of the subject matter is set forth in the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

[0031] Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of a decorative system in accordance with an embodiment;

[0032] Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of a decorative system in accordance with another embodiment;

[0033] Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of a mounting element in accordance with another embodiment;

[0034] Fig. 4 is a side elevation view of a decorative system in accordance with another embodiment;

[0035] Fig. 5 is a side elevation view of a decorative system in accordance with another embodiment;

[0036] Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of a mounting element in accordance with another embodiment;

[0037] Fig. 7 is a side elevation view of a decorative system in accordance with another embodiment;

[0038] Fig. 8 is a side elevation view of a decorative system in accordance with another embodiment;

[0039] Fig. 9 is a side elevation view of a mounting element in accordance with another embodiment;

[0040] Fig. 10 is a side elevation view of a decorative system in accordance with another embodiment and where the recess portion and the flexible adjustment portion are shown; [0041] Fig. 1 1 is a side elevation view of a decorative system in accordance with another embodiment and where the recess portion and the flexible adjustment portion are shown;

[0042] Fig. 12 is a side elevation view of a decorative system in accordance with another embodiment and where the recess portion, the flexible adjustment portion and the decorative adjustment portion are shown;

[0043] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an angular decorative element in accordance with another embodiment, and showing the mounting and decorative elements;

[0044] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of an angular decorative element in accordance with another embodiment, and showing the mounting and decorative elements;

[0045] Fig. 15 is another perspective view of the decorative system in accordance with another embodiment;

[0046] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of an angular decorative element in accordance with another embodiment, and showing the mounting and decorative elements;

[0047] Fig. 17 is a perspective view of an angular decorative element in accordance with another embodiment, and showing the mounting and decorative elements;

[0048] Fig. 18 is a perspective view of an angular decorative element in accordance with another embodiment, and showing the mounting and decorative elements unattached to the angular decorative element;

[0049] Fig. 19 is a perspective view of an angular decorative element in accordance with another embodiment, and showing the mounting and decorative elements; [0050] Fig. 20 is a perspective view of an angular decorative element in accordance with another embodiment, and showing the mounting and decorative elements unattached to the angular decorative element;

[0051] Fig. 21 is a perspective view of an angular decorative element with its foldable layer in accordance with another embodiment; and

[0052] Fig. 22 is a side elevation view of a decorative system in accordance with another embodiment.

[0053] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] In embodiments there are disclosed mounting elements, decorative elements, decorative systems, decorative assembly kits, flexible adjustment portions to be installed within a recess of a decorative element and to angular decorative elements.

[0055] Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 12, 15 and 22, there is provided a mounting element 10 to be installed on a surface (i.e., such as wall surface, not shown) and for receiving a decorative element 14. The mounting element 10 includes an interface portion 16 for fixedly interfacing with the surface. Additionally, the mounting element 10 includes a mating connector 18 which is outwardly extending from an end 20 of the interface portion 16. The mating connector 18 is for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector 22 of the decorative element 14. Also, the mating connector 18 allows at least a portion of the decorative element 22 to releasably interface with the surface. The mounting element 18 further includes a recess 24 at another end 26 of the interface portion 16 and positioned opposite to the mating connector 18 and opposite to the surface. The recess 24 is for receiving at least one decorative element. The decorative element may include one of: a floor element 28, a ceiling element and a decorative adjustment element 30.

[0056] According to an embodiment and as shown in Figs. 1 to 12 and 15, the interface portion 16, the mating connector 18 and the recess 24 define a two inversed-L-shaped configuration 32.

[0057] According to another embodiment, the interface portion 16 may include a recess portion 34 for allowing a passage for at least one wire. For example, the wires for electricity, audio and sound may be hidden in the recess portion 34 of the mounting element 10 adjacent to the surface.

[0058] According to another embodiment, the recess 24 may be for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector 36 of a decorative adjustment element 30 and as shown in Figs. 2, 5, 8 and 12.

[0059] According to another embodiment and still referring to Figs. 1 to 12 and 15, there is provided a decorative element 14 to be installed on the surface mounting element 10 fixedly attached to the surface and described above. The decorative element 14 may include a decorative external face 38 and a mating connector 22 for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector 18 of the surface mounting element 10. It is to be noted that the mating connector 22 of the decorative element 14 may allow at least a portion of the mating connector 22 to releasably interface with the surface. When the mating connector 22 of the decorative element 14 is releasably connected to the corresponding mating connector 18 of the surface mounting element 10, a gap 40, 42 is created between the mating connector 22 of the decorative element 14 and the corresponding mating connector 18 of the mounting element 10 for allowing dilatation (dilatation of the materials for different time periods). The gap 40, 42 created between the mating connector 22 of the decorative element 14 and the corresponding mating connector 18 of the surface mounting element 10 may include two gaps 40, 42, a first gap 40 at an end 20 of the mating connector 22 and a second gap 42 at another end 26 of the mating connector 22.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the decorative system 52 may be to be attached or fixed to a wall or ceiling surface.

[0061] According to another embodiment, the decorative element 14 may further include two opposite sides 44, 45, where each side 44 or 45 has a fastener (not shown) for releasably engaging with a corresponding fastener (not shown) on an adjacent decorative element (not shown). This allows for installation of a plurality of wall and ceiling decorative element 14, which can be positioned side to side on a mounting element 10, or on a plurality of mounting elements 10 (not shown).

[0062] According to another embodiment and referring now to Figs. 2, 5, 8,

12, and 22 the decorative element 14 may further include another mating connector 46 opposite to the mating connector 22 for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector 36 of the decorative adjustment element 30. It is to be noted that the decorative element 14 may include an interface portion 48, opposite to the decorative external face 38, for releasably interfacing with the surface. The interface portion 48 of the decorative element 14 may include a recess portion 34 as described above. In this case, the recess portion 34 may be for allowing a passage for at least one wire. On the other hand, the recess portion 34 may be for receiving a flexible adjustment portion 50 (Figs. 10, 1 1 , 12,

13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 22). The flexible adjustment portion 50 may be for releasably adopting a shape for allowing the decorative element 14 to be level compared to the surface in the presence of imperfections in the surface. In Fig. 22, there is shown an upper flexible adjustment portion 50 which may level the decorative element 52 with a wall surface and the lower flexible adjustment portion 50 may level the decorative element 52 with a floor surface. [0063] According to another embodiment and still referring to Figs. 1 to 12 and 15, there is provided a decorative system 52 installed on a surface. The decorative system 52 may include a mounting element 10 including an interface portion 16 fixedly interfacing with the surface, a mating connector 18 outwardly extending from an end 20 of the interface portion 16 releasably connected to a corresponding mating connector 22 of a decorative element 14 and allowing at least a portion of the decorative element 14 to releasably interface with the surface. The mounting element 10 of the decorative system 52 may also include a recess 24 at another end 26 of the interface portion 16, opposite to the mating connector 18 and opposite to the surface. The decorative system 52 further includes the decorative element 14 which further includes a decorative external face 38. In the decorative system 52, when the corresponding mating connector 22 of the decorative element 14 is releasably connected to the mating connector 18 of the surface mounting element 10, a gap 40, 42 is created between the corresponding mating connector 22 of the decorative element 22 and the mating connector 18 of the mounting element 10 for allowing dilatation.

[0064] According to another embodiment, there is provided a decorative assembly kit to be installed on a surface. The decorative assembly kit includes the mounting element 10 as described above and the decorative element 14 as described above.

[0065] According to another embodiment, the decorative assembly kit may further include a decorative adjustment element 30 for releasably connecting with the recess 24 of the mounting element 10 (Figs.2, 5, 8 and 12).

[0066] According to another embodiment and referring now to Figs. 10, 1 1 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20, there is provided a flexible adjustment portion 50 to be installed within a recess portion 34 of a decorative element 14. The flexible adjustment portion 50 includes a substantially flat portion 54 for interfacing with a corresponding substantially flat surface 56 of the recess portion 34 of the decorative element 14 and a flexible portion 58 extending outwardly from the flat portion 54 and opposite to the flat surface 56 of the recess portion 34. When the decorative element 14 is releasably installed on a surface, the flexible portion 58 releasably adopts a shape for allowing the decorative element 14 to be level compared to the surface in the presence of imperfections in the surface.

[0067] According to another embodiment, the substantially flat portion 54 may be fixedly connected to the corresponding substantially flat surface 56 of the recess portion 34. Moreover, the flexible portion 58 may define a hollow section 60 when extending outwardly from the substantially flat portion 54.

[0068] According to another embodiment, at least one of the substantially flat portion 54 and the flexible portion 58 may be made of a polymeric flexible material. It is to be noted that the substantially flat portion 54 and the flexible portion 58 may be made of any other suitable material such as to provide the flexible portion 58 to releasably adopt a shape for allowing the decorative element 14 to be level compared to the surface in the presence of imperfections in the surface.

[0069] According to another embodiment and referring now to Figs. 13 to 21 , there is provided an angular decorative element 62 to be installed on an angular surface mounting element (not shown) fixedly attached to an angular surface (not shown) or on adjacent surface mounting elements fixedly attached to the angular surface (not shown). The angular decorative element 62 includes a decorative angular external face 64 and an angular mating connector 66 for releasably connecting to a corresponding angular mating connector (not shown) of the angular surface mounting element or on the adjacent surface mounting elements (not shown). The angular mating connector 66 may allow at least a portion of the angular mating connector 66 to releasably interface with the angular surface (not shown). [0070] According to another embodiment, the decorative angular external face 64 may define an angle comprised between 10° and 150°. The decorative angular external face 64 may also define an angle of 90°.

[0071] According to another embodiment and referring now to Fig. 21 , the decorative angular external face 64 may include a foldable layer 68 and the angular mating connector 66 may include two adjacent angular mating connectors 70, 72 for releasably connecting to corresponding angular mating connectors (not shown) of the angular surface mounting element or on the adjacent surface mounting elements (not shown). The foldable layer 68 may cover the two adjacent angular mating connectors 70, 72 and the foldable layer 68 may be integrally formed for allowing the angular decorative element 62 to fold an unfold to adopt any positions between a non installed position and a releasably installed position. One of the adjacent angular mating connectors 70 may define a longitudinal edge 74 for interfacing with a corresponding longitudinal edge 76 of the other one of the adjacent angular mating connectors 72 when adopting the releasably installed position. It is to be noted that the longitudinal edge 74 and the corresponding longitudinal edge 76 may define a 45° longitudinal edge.

[0072] It is to be noted that both the angular decorative element 62 and the angular decorative element 62 with a foldable layer 68 may be installed on an inside corner of a wall or on an outside corner of a wall. The angular decorative elements 62 may be installed in both an interior environment (i.e.: in a house) or in an exterior environment (i.e.: Exterior siding of a house). It is to be noted that the flexible adjustment portion 50 may be made of a material which includes natural rubber.

[0073] While preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure. Such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A mounting element to be installed on a surface and for receiving a decorative element, the mounting element comprising:

- an interface portion for fixedly interfacing with the surface;

- a mating connector outwardly extending from one end of the interface portion for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector of the decorative element and for allowing at least a portion of the decorative element to releasably interface with the surface; and

- a recess at another end of the interface portion, opposite to the mating connector and the interface portion, the recess for receiving at least one decorative element.

2. The mounting element of claim 1 , wherein the interface portion, the mating connector and the recess comprise a two inversed-L-shaped configuration.

3. The mounting element of claim 1 , wherein the interface portion comprises a recess portion for allowing a passage for at least one wire.

4. The mounting element of claim 1 , wherein the recess comprises a mating connector for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector of the decorative adjustment element.

5. A decorative element to be installed on a surface mounting element fixedly attached to a surface, the decorative element comprising:

- a decorative external face and an interface side; and

- a mating connector for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector of the surface mounting element and for allowing at least a portion of the interface side to releasably interface with the surface; wherein when the mating connector of the decorative element is releasably connected to the corresponding mating connector of the surface mounting element, a gap is created between the mating connector of the decorative element and the corresponding mating connector of the mounting element for allowing dilatation.

6. The decorative element of claim 5, wherein the gap created between the mating connector of the decorative element and the corresponding mating connector of the mounting element comprises two gaps, a first gap at an end of the mating connector and a second gap at another end of the mating connector and opposite to the first gap.

7. The decorative element of claim 5, further comprising two opposite sides, each side having a fastener for releasably engaging with a corresponding fastener on an adjacent decorative element.

8. The decorative element of claim 5, further comprising another mating connector opposite to the mating connector for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector of a decorative adjustment element.

9. The decorative element of claim 5, further comprising an interface portion, opposite to the decorative external face, for releasably interfacing with the surface.

10. The decorative element of claim 9, wherein the interface portion comprises a recess portion.

1 1 . The decorative element of claim 10, wherein the recess portion is for allowing a passage for at least one wire.

12. The decorative element of claim 10, wherein the recess portion is for receiving a flexible adjustment portion, the flexible adjustment portion being for releasably adopting a shape for allowing the decorative element to be level compared to the surface in the presence of imperfections in the surface.

13. A decorative assembly kit to be installed on a surface, the decorative assembly kit comprising:

- the mounting element of anyone of claims 1 to 4; and

- the decorative element of anyone of claims 5 to 12.

14. The decorative assembly kit of claim 13 further comprising a decorative element for releasably connecting with the recess of the mounting element.

15. A flexible adjustment portion to be installed within a recess of a decorative element or of a mounting element, the flexible adjustment portion comprising:

- a substantially flat portion for interfacing with a corresponding substantially flat surface of the recess of the decorative element or of the recess of the mounting element; and

- a flexible portion extending outwardly from the flat portion and opposite to the flat surface of the recess;

- wherein when at least one of the decorative element and the mounting element is releasably installed on a surface, the flexible portion releasably adopts a shape for allowing the at least one decorative element and mounting element to be level compared to the surface in the presence of imperfections in the surface.

16. The flexible adjustment portion of claim 15, wherein the substantially flat portion is fixedly connected to the corresponding substantially flat surface of the recess.

17. The flexible adjustment portion of claim 15, wherein the flexible portion defines a hollow section when extending outwardly from the substantially flat portion.

18. The flexible adjustment portion of claim 15, wherein at least one of the substantially flat portion and the flexible portion is made of a polymeric flexible material.

19. An angular decorative element to be installed on an angular surface mounting element fixedly attached to an angular surface or on adjacent surface mounting elements fixedly attached to the angular surface, the angular decorative element comprising:

- a decorative angular external face and an angular interface face; and

- an angular mating connector for releasably connecting to a corresponding angular mating connector of the angular surface mounting element or on the adjacent surface mounting elements, the angular mating connector allowing at least a portion of the angular interface face to releasably interface with the angular surface.

20. The angular decorative element of claim 19, wherein the decorative angular external face defines an angle comprised between 10° and 150°.

21. The angular decorative element of claim 19, wherein the decorative angular external face defines an angle of 90°.

22. The angular decorative element of claim 19, wherein the decorative angular external face comprises a foldable layer and wherein the angular mating connector comprises two adjacent angular mating connectors for releasably connecting to corresponding angular mating connectors of the angular surface mounting element or on the adjacent surface mounting elements, the foldable layer covering the two adjacent angular mating connectors, wherein the foldable layer is integrally formed for allowing the angular decorative element to fold an unfold to adopt any positions between a non installed position and a releasably installed position.

23. The angular decorative element of claim 22, wherein one of the adjacent angular mating connectors defines a longitudinal edge for interfacing with a corresponding longitudinal edge of the other one of the adjacent angular mating connector when adopting the releasably installed position.

24. The angular decorative element of claim 23, wherein the longitudinal edge and the corresponding longitudinal edge define a 45° longitudinal edge.