Abstract:
Apparatus and method for forming a molding trim, such as a simulated coiled rope, including forming a mold having raised and depressed areas and placing an uncured material into the mold thereby forming raised and depressed areas in the material simulating a coiled rope or the like.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The invention relates to trim molding, as for vanities, tubs, panels, etc. and the like, and to apparatus and method for forming decorative trims.  
           [0003]    2. Related Art  
           [0004]    Certain molded products, such as bathroom vanities, tubs, panels, etc. and the like, may have a decorative trim about the periphery thereof. There is a need for a quick and easy way of forming a molded trim in an uncured material, such as a polymer material, which can be carried out at the place of manufacture of the product to which the trim is to be applied and, when cured, forms a hardened product, such as cultured resin, simulated marble or simulated granite.  
         INVENTION SUMMARY  
         [0005]    It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus and method for forming a decorative trim for vanities, tubs, panels, or the like.  
           [0006]    It is still further an object of this invention to provide a mold for forming a trim in uncured material.  
           [0007]    It is still another object of this invention to provide an apparatus and method for forming a decorative trim simulating coils of a rope.  
           [0008]    These and other objects are preferably accomplished by providing a mold used to form a molding trim, such as simulated coiled rope, including forming the mold to have raised and depressed areas and placing an uncured material into the mold thereby forming raised and depressed areas in the material when cured in situ thus simulating a coiled rope or the like. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a mold and a strip of cured material formed in accordance with the teachings of the invention;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the mold alone of FIG. 1;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is an end view of the mold of FIG. 2 showing a strip of material curing in the mold; and  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the molded portion of the strip of FIG. 3 after curing and removal from the mold. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0013]    Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, a mold  10  is shown. Although various materials may be used for the mold, preferably the mold is of a flexible material, such as urethane elastomer. Such a material provides some ability of the mold to flex or move when molding a composite strip, such as strip  14  (FIG. 1), as will be discussed. Although other materials such as aluminum may be used, such a rigid material would not move or flex and might scratch the surface of the mold  10  as will be discussed.  
         [0014]    Thus, mold  10  is an elongated generally rectangular block of material having a cavity  11  therein along its longitudinal axis. Cavity  11  has a plurality of depressions  12  therealong which may simulate coils of a rope or the like. Each successive depression may be separated from an adjacent depression  12  by a raised wall  13 . Thus, the depressions  12  and walls  13  simulate hills and valleys which, when applied to a strip of uncured material, such as strip  14  (FIG. 1), form, when cured in situ, a plurality of spaced raised surfaces  15 , separated by equally spaced depressions  16  simulating a rope or the like.  
         [0015]    Thus, the strip of material  14  (FIG. 1), which can be of any size or length, has a portion  17  (see also FIG. 3) which is placed in mold  10  in its uncured state. When it cures, it assumes the contours of mold  10  as seen in FIGS. 1 and 4.  
         [0016]    A suitable paste release wax may be may be applied to mold  10  prior to forming the strip  14  therein. When the strip  14  sets or cures, the result, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, is a molding or trim in the distinctive form of a rope having a plurality of coils.  
         [0017]    Of course, the rope design can be varied depending on the configuration of the raised and depressed areas  12 ,  13  of mold  10 . The resulting rope trim shown in FIG. 4 has a distinctive coiled rope design  18  along strip  14  with plain areas  19 ,  20  on each side thereof forming a distinctive design.  
         [0018]    It can be seen in FIG. 2 that each depression  12  extends generally oblique to the longitudinal axis of mold  10  and is formed by a pair of generally spaced parallel lines  30 ,  31 . One of the lines, such as line  31 , curves at one end and meets the other line  30  at a point  32 . Line  30 , at its other end, curves at  33  to meet line  31  at point  34 .  
         [0019]    Any suitable uncured material, such as a polymer material, may be used poured into the mold in its uncured state. It will cure in situ forming a solid contoured piece. Thus, the techniques disclosed herein can be used to form a cultured resin material, such as a simulated marble or granite material, fiberglass, etc. The final product can be a vanity, tub, panel, bowl, decorative strip, etc.  
         [0020]    Although a particular embodiment of the invention is disclosed, variations thereof may occur to an artisan and the scope of the invention should only be limited by the scope of the appended claims.