Abstract:
The present document describes a surface mounting element for receiving a decorative element comprising: a portion for fixedly interfacing with said surface; and a mating connector for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector of the decorative element. The present document also describes a decorative element, a decorative adjustment element, decorative assembly kit and a decorative frame assembly and any combinations thereof.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    (a) Field 
         [0002]    This invention relates to the field of building materials. More particularly, it relates to decorative elements applied to surfaces and the methods for installing the same. 
         [0003]    (b) Related Prior Art 
         [0004]    Typically, when a home is having its floor covering replaced, all wall base decorative element usually remains fastened to the walls because it matches existing wall base decorative element throughout the home. As it is noticed, replacing the wall base decorative element 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. 
         [0005]    As an example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,793,483 discloses round molding, or shoe molding. However, the disclosed molding, or decorative element, does not provide a juxtaposition of the molding on the surface which is receiving the molding. 
         [0006]    For those disadvantages, there is still a need in the field of building materials for decorative elements applied to surfaces and methods for installing decorative elements to different surfaces. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a surface mounting element for receiving a decorative element comprising:
       a portion for fixedly interfacing with the surface; and   a mating connector for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector of the decorative element.       
 
         [0010]    According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, 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   a mating connector for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector of the surface mounting element.       
 
         [0013]    The decorative element may further comprise:
       two opposite ends, each end having a fastener for releasably engaging with a corresponding fastener on an adjacent decorative element.       
 
         [0015]    According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a decorative element for receiving a decorative adjustment element, the decorative element further comprising:
       an other mating connector for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector of the decorative adjustment element.       
 
         [0017]    According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a decorative adjustment element to be installed on a decorative element, the decorative adjustment element comprising:
       a decorative external face;   two opposite ends, each end having a fastener for releasably engaging with a corresponding fastener on an adjacent decorative adjustment element.       
 
         [0020]    The decorative adjustment element may further comprise:
       two opposite ends, each end having a fastener for releasably engaging with a corresponding fastener on an adjacent decorative adjustment element.       
 
         [0022]    According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a decorative assembly kit to be installed on a surface, the decorative assembly kit comprising:
       a surface mounting element for receiving a decorative element comprising a portion for fixedly interfacing with the surface; and a mating connector for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector of the decorative element;   decorative element to be installed on the surface mounting element fixedly attached to a surface, the decorative element comprising a decorative external face; and a mating connector for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector of the surface mounting element fixedly attached to the surface; and   a decorative adjustment element to be installed on the decorative element, the decorative adjustment element comprising: a decorative external face; and a mating connector for releasably coupling to a corresponding mating connector of the decorative element.       
 
         [0026]    According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a decorative assembly kit for receiving a decorative adjustment element, the decorative element further comprising:
       a mating connector for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector of the decorative adjustment element.       
 
         [0028]    According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a decorative frame assembly kit for at least partially framing an opening in a structure having a thickness, the decorative frame assembly kit comprising:
       at least two longitudinal edge mounting elements comprising a longitudinal axis wherein at least one of the at least two longitudinal edge mounting elements comprises a decorative external face;   the at least two longitudinal edge mounting elements for at least partially releasably framing the opening by adjustably coupling together along the longitudinal axis to adjust to said thickness.       
 
         [0031]    According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a decorative frame assembly kit,
       wherein said structure comprises an internal surface defining said thickness; and   wherein at least one of said longitudinal edge mounting elements for fixedly interfacing with said internal surface.       
 
         [0034]    According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a decorative frame assembly kit, wherein at least one of said longitudinal edge mounting element further comprises:
       a longitudinally extending portion for fixedly interfacing with said internal surface.       
 
         [0036]    According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a decorative frame assembly kit,
       wherein said at least two longitudinal edge mounting elements comprise two opposite ends, each end having a fastener for releasably engaging with a corresponding fastener on an adjacent longitudinal edge mounting element.       
 
         [0038]    According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a decorative frame assembly kit for receiving a decorative longitudinal capping element, wherein at least one of said longitudinal edge mounting element further comprises:
       a mating connector adjacent to said longitudinally extending portion for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector of the decorative longitudinal capping element.       
 
         [0040]    According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a decorative frame assembly kit wherein at least one of said longitudinal edge mounting elements is formed of two parts connected together with corresponding mating connectors near an edge of the internal surface. 
         [0041]    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 
         [0042]    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: 
           [0043]      FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a surface mounting element. 
           [0044]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a decorative element. 
           [0045]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a decorative adjustment element. 
           [0046]      FIG. 4  illustrates corresponding fasteners of a decorative element. 
           [0047]      FIG. 5  illustrates a decorative assembly kit to be installed on a surface. 
           [0048]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a cross sectional view of a door frame. 
           [0049]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a decorative frame assembly kit to be installed at least partially around an opening in a structure. 
           [0050]      FIG. 7  illustrates another view of decorative frame assembly kit to be installed at least partially around an opening in a structure. 
           [0051]      FIG. 8  illustrates a cross sectional view of a decorative assembly kit to be installed on a surface. 
           [0052]      FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional view of decorative frame assembly kit to be installed at least partially around an opening in a structure. 
           [0053]      FIG. 10  illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a surface mounting element installed on a horizontal surface. 
           [0054]      FIG. 11  illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a decorative frame assembly kit to be installed at least partially around an opening in a structure. 
       
    
    
       [0055]    It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0056]    In embodiments there are disclosed building materials. More particularly, the embodiments relates to decorative elements applied to surfaces and the methods for installing the same. 
         [0057]    Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an embodiment of a surface mounting element  10 . The surface mounting element  10  may include a portion  12  for fixedly interfacing with the surface and a mating connector  14  for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector  28  of a decorative element  20 . 
         [0058]    Now referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown an embodiment of a decorative element  20  to be installed on a surface. The decorative element  20  may include a decorative external face  22 , two opposite ends  24 , each end having a fastener  26  for releasably engaging with a corresponding fastener  26  on an adjacent decorative element  20 , a mating connector  28  for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector  14  of a surface mounting element  10  fixedly attached to the surface and a mating connector  29  for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector  38  of a decorative adjustment element  30 . 
         [0059]    Now referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown an embodiment of a decorative adjustment element  30  to be installed on a decorative element  20 . The decorative adjustment element  30  may include a decorative external face  32 , two opposite ends  34 , each end  34  having a fastener  36  for releasably engaging with a corresponding fastener  36  on an adjacent decorative adjustment element  30  and a mating connector  38  for releasably coupling to a corresponding mating connector  28  of a decorative element  20 . 
         [0060]    Now referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a decorative element  20  which may include a decorative external face  22 , two opposite ends  24 , each end having a fastener  26  for releasably engaging with a corresponding fastener  26  on an adjacent decorative element  20 . 
         [0061]    Now referring to  FIGS. 5 and 8 , in another embodiment, there is provided a decorative assembly kit  100  to be installed on a surface, the decorative assembly kit may include: 
         [0062]    a surface mounting element  10  which may include a portion  12  for fixedly interfacing with the surface and a mating connector  14  for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector  28  of a decorative element  20 ; 
         [0063]    a decorative element  20  to be installed on a surface, the decorative element may include a decorative external face  22 ; two opposite ends  24 , each end  24  having a fastener  26  for releasably engaging with a corresponding fastener  26  on an adjacent decorative element  20 , a mating connector  28  for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector  14  of a surface mounting element  10  fixedly attached to the surface; and a mating connector  29  for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector  38  of a decorative adjustment element  30 . 
         [0064]    a decorative adjustment element  30  to be installed on a decorative element  20 , the decorative adjustment element  30  may include a decorative external face  32 , two opposite ends  34 , each end  34  having a fastener  36  for releasably engaging with a corresponding fastener  36  on an adjacent decorative adjustment element  30  and a mating connector  38  for releasably coupling to a corresponding mating connector  28  of a decorative element  20 . 
         [0065]    Now referring to  FIG. 6A , there is shown a cross sectional view of a door frame defining an opening. The opening is in a structure defining a peripheral external surface  42  and an internal surface  44  of longitudinal length (not shown) and a lateral length  44  (aka a thickness of the structure). Edge  64  is at a meeting point of the peripheral external surface  42  with the internal surface  44 . 
         [0066]    Now referring to  FIGS. 6B ,  7 , and  9 , there is shown an embodiment of a decorative frame assembly kit  200  to be installed around an opening in a structure defining a peripheral external surface  42  and an internal surface  44  of longitudinal and lateral lengths. The decorative frame assembly kit may further include: 
         [0067]    at least two opening internal surface mounting elements  46  coupling together along a longitudinal axis to adjust to the lateral length of the opening internal surface  44 , the mounting elements comprising: 
         [0068]    a decorative external face  48 ; 
         [0069]    a longitudinally extending portion  50  on at least one of the opening internal surface mounting elements  46  for fixedly interfacing with the opening internal surface  44 ; and 
         [0070]    a mating connector  52  on at least one of the opening internal surface mounting elements adjacent to the longitudinally extending portion  50  for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector  52  of a decorative longitudinally extending frame element  54 ; 
         [0071]    a mating connector  52  adjacent to the opening peripheral external surface  42  for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector  52  of a decorative peripheral frame element; 
         [0072]    a decorative longitudinally extending frame element  54  having a decorative external face  48  and a mating connector  52  for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector  52  of at least one opening internal surface mounting elements  46  to decoratively cover the longitudinally extending portion  50 ; and 
         [0073]    a decorative peripheral frame element  56  to be installed on the peripheral external surface  42  of the opening, comprising a decorative external face  48 ; and a mating connector  52  for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector  52  of at least one of the opening internal surface mounting elements  46 ; 
         [0074]    wherein each of the decorative elements opposite ends having a fastener  58  for releasably engaging with a corresponding fastener  58  on an adjacent decorative element. 
         [0075]    Still according to  FIG. 6B , there is also a door  82  held be a hinge  80  to one of the opening internal surface mounting elements  46 . 
         [0076]    In another embodiment, there is shown a decorative assembly kit of for receiving a decorative adjustment element, the decorative element may further include a mating connector  52  for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector  52  of the decorative adjustment element. 
         [0077]    In another embodiment, there is shown a decorative frame assembly kit to be installed at least partially around an opening in a structure defining a peripheral external surface  42 , an internal surface of longitudinal and lateral lengths, and an edge at a meeting point of the peripheral external surface  42  with the internal surface, the decorative frame assembly kit may include: 
         [0078]    at least two longitudinal edge mounting elements  60  to releasably frame at least partially the external and internal surfaces of the opening, where the longitudinal edge mounting elements adjustably coupling together along a longitudinal axis to adjust to the lateral length of the opening internal surface  44 , where at least one of the longitudinal edge mounting elements  60  fixedly interfacing with the internal surface  44 , the longitudinal edge mounting element  60  may include: 
         [0079]    a decorative external face  48 ; 
         [0080]    two opposite ends, each end having a fastener  58  for releasably engaging with a corresponding fastener  58  on an adjacent longitudinal edge mounting element  60 . 
         [0081]    In another embodiment, there is shown a decorative frame assembly where at least one of the longitudinal edge mounting element  60  may further include: 
         [0082]    a longitudinally extending portion  50  for fixedly interfacing with the opening internal surface  44 . 
         [0083]    In another embodiment, there is shown a decorative frame assembly for receiving a decorative longitudinal capping element, where at least one of the longitudinal edge mounting element  60  may further include: 
         [0084]    a mating connector  52  adjacent to the longitudinally extending portion  50  for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector  52  of a decorative longitudinal capping element. 
         [0085]    In another embodiment, there is shown a decorative frame assembly kit, where at least one of the longitudinal edge mounting element  60  is formed of two parts connected together at the edge with corresponding mating connectors  52 . 
         [0086]    Now referring to  FIG. 10 , there is illustrated a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a surface mounting element  10  installed on a horizontal surface (e.g., a ceiling). This embodiment is useful when installing a decorative element  70  that hides the joint between the ceiling and a wall. 
         [0087]    Now referring to  FIG. 11 , there is illustrated a cross-sectional view of a decorative frame assembly kit to be installed at least partially around an opening in a structure. According to this embodiment, there is shown a decorative frame assembly kit  200  for at least partially framing an opening in a structure having a thickness. The decorative frame assembly kit  200  comprises at least two longitudinal edge mounting elements  60  comprising a longitudinal axis  68  wherein at least one of the at least two longitudinal edge mounting elements comprises a decorative external face; the at least two longitudinal edge mounting elements for at least partially releasably framing the opening by adjustably coupling together along the longitudinal axis to adjust to the thickness. One of the two longitudinal edge mounting elements  60  is made for receiving a decorative longitudinal capping element  62   
         [0088]    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.