Abstract:
A baseboard system includes baseboard units through which conduits extend carrying heated fluids, and moldings about the free ends of the baseboards, to provide a generally uniform external surface configuration. The moldings are in the nature of conventional moldings made of wood, pressed wood, plastic or the like. The use of the moldings with the baseboards provides an efficient, cost-effective system that produces a uniform appearance and facilitates cleaning.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention generally relates to baseboard heaters, and, more specifically, to a baseboard and molding system that provides sufficient heat exchange while providing a substantially continuous profile having a substantially continuous external surface configuration along a selected portion of a wall of an enclosure to be heated. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Numerous baseboard heaters have been proposed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,033 to Cali discloses a functional baseboard panel that includes a heat transfer tube and a non-functional panel. This non-functional panel provides symmetry in the room and allows for expansion if more functional panels are needed in the room or area. Thus, the non-functional panels serve to provide expansion capability should additional functional sections be required, which could then replace the non-functional panels with functional panels. However, the non-functional sections are essentially blank versions of the function sections, and these are intended to possibly be converted at a future date to functional units. There is no teaching or suggestion that the non-functional panels be more in the nature of more conventional moldings made of wood or the like. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,509 to Finnesz, a baseboard is disclosed that has a wooden cover—evidently for aesthetic purposes, though no mention is made that such cover should match any other or surrounding molding in a room or area. U.S. Pat. No. 3,141,499 to Bunten teaches a baseboard radiator with connector units, while U.S. Pat. No. 2,782,007 to Glatt teaches a baseboard radiator. In both of these patents, the baseboard appears to extend about the entire wall length, so that there is presented a uniformity about the room. However, in both cases, there is no suggestion that baseboard units be used in conjunction with matching, non-functional moldings. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 2,909,981 to Stock, a ventilating system for a room is disclosed in which there is some coordination with a ventilating system cabinet. However, shelving is used in conjunction with the ventilating system cabinet so that there is no real symmetry or uniform appearance between the heating cabinet and the adjoining shelving. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a baseboard system that includes not only baseboard units but similarly shaped moldings at the free ends of the baseboard units, not only to provide an aesthetic appearance of a continuous molding about a wall of an enclosure to be heated, but which molding can also receive, as necessary, conduits carrying heated fluid. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a baseboard system as in the previous objects which effectively provides a continuous member projecting forwardly from the wall that has a substantially continuous external profile or surface configuration, that thereby eliminates edges and corners in the regions of the lateral or free ends of the baseboards, to enhance the appearance of the installation and to facilitate cleaning in the corners at the free ends of the baseboards while preventing damage to the baseboards themselves as well as possibly to vacuum cleaners or other cleaning devices used to clean around the baseboards. 
     It is still another object of the invention to provide a baseboard system that is simple in construction and economical to manufacture enabling use of multiple materials. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a baseboard system which is efficient and can be easily modified to provide desired heat transfer properties to heat a space of a given area, insulation and exposure. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a baseboard system, as in the previous objects, which is easy and convenient to install. 
     It is still a further object of the invention to provide a baseboard system, as suggested in the previous objects, which can accommodate any size or shape enclosure to be heated. 
     It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a baseboard system which can easily be adapted to any hot water heating system and sized for any standard plumbing parts. 
     It is an additional object of the invention to provide a baseboard system in which the baseboard heater and the moldings used therewith can be made of different materials. 
     In order to achieve the above objects, as well as others which will become evident hereinafter, a baseboard system in accordance with the present invention comprises a baseboard unit to be arranged along a wall proximate to floor of an enclosure to be heated. Heating means is provided within said baseboard unit, said baseboard unit defining a predetermined profile or external surface configuration including vertically spaced openings to permit ambient air to flow into and heated air to flow out of said baseboard unit. Said baseboard unit has a predetermined width defined by two opposing lateral ends. Moldings abut each lateral end of said baseboard unit and have a profile or an external surface configuration substantially corresponding to the profile or external surface configuration of said baseboard unit. In this manner, abutment of said moldings against said lateral ends of said baseboard unit substantially continues the external surface configuration of said baseboard beyond the lateral ends thereof to effectively provide a continuous member having a substantially continuous external surface configuration having the appearance of a molding extending along at least a portion of a wall of the enclosure. 
     Preferably, in one embodiment the baseboard unit is formed of three vertically spaced horizontal members, a space between a lower member and an intermediate member forming an inlet opening for admitting ambient air into said baseboard unit and a space between said intermediate member and an upper member forming an outlet opening for discharging heated air. 
     The lowermost members are preferably hollow and can serve as conduits for power and data cables. These members can advantageously be at least partially disassembled to simplify installation and to be at least partially removable to allow servicing of the floor, including finishing, sanding and refinishing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the drawings, as follows. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a corner of an enclosure to be heated, illustrating the baseboard system of the present invention, including a baseboard provided at the terminal or lateral ends thereof with suitably configured moldings; 
         FIG. 1A  is an enlarged corner detail of the region IA shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 1B  is an enlarged end detail of the region  1 B in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged cross sectional view of the baseboard unit shown in  FIG. 1 , as viewed along section  2 - 2 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged cross section view of the baseboard unit shown in  FIG. 2 , taken along section  3 - 3 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is an enlarged detail view of the region  3 A in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 3B  is similar to  FIG. 3A  but showing and alternate construction; 
         FIG. 3C  is an enlarged detail of the region  3 C in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 3D  is a perspective view of the unit shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 3E  is similar to  FIG. 3D , but showing an alternate construction; 
         FIG. 3F  is a perspective view of the baseplate shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 3G  is similar to  FIG. 3F  but showing an alternate construction of the baseplate; 
         FIG. 3H  is similar to  FIG. 3F  but showing an alternate construction of the baseplate; 
         FIG. 3I  is similar to  FIG. 3F  but showing an alternate construction of the baseplate; 
         FIG. 3J  is a perspective view of the backplate and supporting brackets shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of an intermediate portion of the baseboard unit shown in  FIG. 3 , taken along line  4 - 4 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged cross sectional view of a molding in the corner of the room shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along lines  5 - 5 ; 
         FIG. 6  is similar to  FIG. 5 , but showing an enlarged cross sectional view of another molding section shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along the line  6 - 6  showing a generally solid cross section; 
         FIG. 7  is similar to  FIG. 2  but showing two conduits extending through the baseboard unit that carry heated fluid in the same direction, having been split or diverted by a diverting coupler or connector unit instead of having one conduit carry heated water and the other conduit returning the cooled water in a closed loop system; 
         FIG. 8  is similar to  FIGS. 5 and 5  but showing an alternate molding construction; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a fin construction suitable for use with the base board units in accordance to the invention; 
         FIG. 9A  is a side elevational view of a fin shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 9B  is a front elevational view of the fin construction shown in  FIG. 8 ; and 
         FIG. 9C  is a side elevational view of the fin construction shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now more specifically to the drawings, and first referring to  FIG. 1 , an enclosure or room to be heated is generally designated by the reference numeral  10 , a perspective view of only one corner of a typical room being illustrated. It will become evident from the description that follows that the present invention can be used about the entire periphery of a room or only along a portion of a wall of the enclosure. 
     The enclosure  10  includes a floor  12  and walls  14  and  16  that meet at a corner  18 . 
     The baseboard system according to the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral  20 . The system  20  includes, in the example shown in  FIG. 1 , a baseboard unit  20 A on the wall  14 , such as below window W, and unit  20 B somewhat centered in the middle of wall  16  between the corner  18  of the enclosure, and an opening in the wall, namely, door  19 . The baseboard units  20 A and  20 B are arranged along the walls  14 ,  16 , respectively, proximate to the floor  12 . The baseboard units include heating means to be more fully described in connection with  FIGS. 2-4  and  7 . 
     Each baseboard unit  20 A,  20 B defines a predetermined external profile or surface configuration and, in the sample shown in  FIG. 1 , includes vertically spaced openings, to be more fully described in connection with  FIG. 3 , to allow ambient air A a  to flow into, and heated air A h  to flow out of the baseboard units. The baseboard units each have a predetermined width defined by two opposing lateral ends  20 A′,  20 A″ and  20 B′,  20 B″. The widths of the baseboard units used in a given enclosure need not be the same. Thus, the baseboard unit  20 A, defined by terminal, lateral or free ends  20 A′ and  20 A″, is considerably wider than the baseboard unit  20 B, defined by terminal, lateral or free ends  20 B′ and  20 B″. 
     One aspect of the invention is the provision of moldings  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28 , for example shown in  FIG. 1 , that abut the lateral ends of the associated baseboard units. These moldings have external profiles or surface configurations that substantially correspond to the profiles or external surface configuration of the baseboard units. In this manner, abutment of the moldings  22 ,  24  against the lateral ends  20 A′ and  20 A″, respectively, of the baseboard unit  20 A, and abutment of the moldings  26 ,  28  against the lateral or free ends  20 B′ and  20 B″, respectively, of the baseboard unit  20 B, as shown, substantially continue the profile or external surface configuration of the baseboard units before the lateral ends thereof to effectively provide a continuous member having a substantially continuous profile or external surface configuration having the appearance of the baseboards/moldings extending along at least a selected portion of a wall of the enclosure. Using moldings that have the same or similar external surface configurations or cross sectional dimensions as the associated baseboard units against which they abut both enhances the aesthetic appearance of the installation and eliminates the sharp edges that might occur at the lateral ends of the baseboard units, and also eliminates corners between such lateral ends and the wall, which are sometimes difficult to clean. Through the elimination of such corners and through providing a continuous and smooth surface configuration, the baseboard units themselves are protected against damage as are vacuum cleaners or other devices that may be used to clean in the region of the baseboard.  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are enlarged details of the moldings  24 ,  26  and  28  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     It will be clear that the specific external surface configuration presented by the baseboard units and associated moldings is not critical to the present invention, and such external surface configurations may assume different shapes, sizes, etc. The external surface configurations of the baseboard units and associated moldings may correspond to traditional moldings and match each other so as to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the system and blend with other like or similar moldings in a given structure or enclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , additional details are illustrated of a presently preferred embodiment of a baseboard system in accordance with the present invention. Thus, the baseboard units  20 A,  20 B are each formed of three vertically spaced members, to be described, a space being provided between the lower member and an intermediate member to form an inlet opening for admitting ambient air A a  into the baseboard unit and a space between the intermediate member, or baseplate, and an upper member to form an outlet opening for discharging heated air A h . Suitable attachment means is used for attaching the three members of the baseboard units to the walls. In the presently preferred embodiment, such attaching means is in the form of a vertical, substantially flat backplate  30  that is secured to the wall by any suitable means, such as a series of fasteners or screws S extending through holes H within the backplate  30 . The backplate includes protuberances projecting forward, away from the wall, at least one of the members of the baseboard units being configured to engage such protuberances. As suggested in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  3 J, such protuberances are generally in the form of horizontal projections  30   a ,  30   b ,  30   c  and  30   d , that are inclined relative to horizontal planes. In one embodiment, at least one of the members comprising the baseboard unit, such as the faceplate  40 , is formed of a flexible or deflectable materials (for example steel or aluminum) and provided with projection-engaging means configured to engage the projections  30   a - 30   d  or supporting brackets (to be described), for example when the members are deflected from their normal undeflected states and snap into engagement with the projections  30   a - 30   d  when released to revert to their undeflected states. 
     In another embodiment of the invention the faceplate  40  may be extruded of a relatively rigid material, such as aluminum or steel, and provided with an upper lip, such as shown in  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B, and a lower lip, such as shown in  FIG. 3C  for snapping onto associated brackets. Since such extruded base plate is relatively rigid the brackets on which the base plate is mounted may be made flexible or deformable beads or gaskets may be used to allow the base plate to be snapped onto brackets and retained in place. See also  FIGS. 3F-3I  for other optional profiles can be used for the baseplates  40 , showing differently configured upper and lower lips, these being merely illustrative. It should be evident that other configurations may also be used, the specific shape not being critical as long as the baseplate can be mounted on the brackets for covering the central portion of the baseboard unit including the conduits or pipes and the heat transfer fins. 
     By referring primarily to  FIGS. 3 ,  3 D and  3 E an upper bracket  32  is shown extending forward from the backplate  30 , and a lower bracket  34  similarly extending forward and spaced below the bracket  32 . The brackets  32 ,  34  have upper circular cutouts  32   a ,  34   a , as shown in  FIG. 3J , to receive correspondingly dimensioned pipes or conduits P 1 , P 2 , through which flow the fluids of the heating system. Thus, if the conduit P 1  is the conduit through which heated fluid flows, conduit P 2  is the return for the cooled fluid or, as is to be described in connection with  FIG. 7 , both conduits, P 1  and P 2 , can conduct the heated fluid of the heating system. 
     A plurality of bracket  32 ,  34  may be provided along the length of each baseboard ( FIG. 3J ), the number of such spaced brackets being determined by the width of the baseboard unit as well as the weight of the conduits supported thereby. Thus, two brackets  32  can be provided at opposing ends of the baseboard units, and, similarly, two brackets  34  can be provided at the ends of the baseboard units, although additional brackets may be provided in between as may be required or desired. 
     The upper brackets  32  are also provided with upwardly projecting points  32   b , while the lower brackets  34  are provided with downwardly projecting points  34   b , to be more fully described. 
     The upper member of the baseboard unit is generally designated by the reference numeral  36  ( FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  3 D and  3 E), and is shown to be in the form of a profiled member formed of thin material. The upper member  36  includes a lower, generally concave surface  36   a , almost a quarter of a quadrant of a circle, a round convex nose portion  36   b , with additional rounded or convex profiles  36   c ,  36   d , as shown. As suggested, the dimensions and configurations of the convex profiles  36   b - 36   d , may be selected to generally correspond with or imitate a conventional molding profile, shape or configuration. The concave surface  36   a  is not normally visible by observers within the enclosure  10  except under close scrutiny or examination. The upper member  36  includes an upper projection-engaging hook  36   f  that is configured to engage the protuberance  30   a , while a lower projection-engaging hook  36   e  projects upwardly to engage downwardly directed projection  30   b , as shown. Because the upper member  36  is hollow and formed of a flexible and resilient material, it may be snapped onto the projections  30   a  and  30   b  by spreading or separating the projection-engaging hooks  36   e  and  36   f  and snapping them onto the projections of the backplate. As with the faceplate  40 , the upper member  36  can also be extruded of a relatively rigid material such as aluminum or steel. In such a design, deformable members, beads or gaskets may be used to facilitate the snapping of the member  36  onto the projections  30   a ,  30   b . Other locking or supporting devices or designs may be used. 
     A lower member  38  is provided secured to the backplate  30  and preferably is supported in a stable manner on the floor  12 , as shown. In the presently preferred embodiment, the lower member  38  has a cross section generally in the shape of a foot or a shoe, having a rear inner depression  38   a  supported by an elastic gasket or grommet E. Optionally, a second, forward depression  38   b  may rest directly on the floor  12 . Aside from the depressions  38   a ,  38   b , the lower surface of the lower member  38  includes a lower wall  38   c . The upper part of the member  38  is formed of a profiled or curved surface including two convex regions,  38   d ,  38   d ′, between which there is provided a concave surface  38   e . To secure the lower member  38  to the backplate  30  it is provided with an upwardly directed projection-engaging hook  38   g  configured to engage downwardly directed protuberance  30   c  and an upwardly projecting protuberance-engaging member or edge  38   f  intended to engage the downwardly projected protuberance  30   d.    
     As with the upper member  36 , the lower member  38  is preferably in the form of a profiled hollow member formed of thin sheet material that can be secured by deforming the lower member  38  so that the hook  38   g  can snap into or engage with the downwardly directed projection  30   c  while the lower hook  38   f  engages the downwardly directed projection  30   d  when the lower member  38  is permitted to revert to its normal, undeflected state, as shown. 
     The front, generally flat faceplate  40  is secured to the brackets  32 ,  34  to cover the conduits or pipes P 1 , P 2 . Fins F that are supported on the conduits in heat transfer relationship. The faceplate  40  is provided with a longitudinal downwardly directed rib or protuberance  40   a  in the region of the point  32   b  and an upwardly directed edge  40   b  proximate to the lower point  34   b . The features  40   a ,  40   b  are spaced from each other to snap over or otherwise engage and be supported by the brackets  32 ,  34 , as shown. A profiled upward extension  40   c , formed in any reasonable shape may be provided to restrict the upper passageway or opening  42  between the intermediate portion or member of the baseboard unit, at  40 , and the upper member  36 . 
     Similarly, a lower passageway  44  is formed between the lower edge  40   b  of the front or faceplate  40  and the lower member  38 . The openings  42 ,  44  are selected to optimize the flow of air A from the lower opening or passageway up past the conduits P 1 , P 2  and the fins F and ultimately, by convection, out the opening or passageway  42 . The air that enters through the passageway  44  is ambient air at room temperature in the enclosure or room. After the air passes through the baseboard unit and contacts the plates or fins F of the heat exchanger, as has been described, the heated air exits through the upper opening or passageway  42 . The specific construction of the heat exchanger is not critical, and any known heat-exchanging structures may be used. As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the presently preferred embodiment utilizes fins F, with extensions F′, F′ that have Z-shaped configurations in horizontal planes to enhance the surface areas and heat-transfer potential of the fins F, while reducing the depth D of the baseboard unit and projection of the baseboard unit from the wall on which it is mounted. However, any suitable fins may be used, bearing in mind that the objective may not be to optimize or maximize heat output but provide desired BTU generation for a given space. The construction, size and number of fins can be readily modified to increase or decrease heat transfer into the enclosure. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the lower member  38 , being hollow and proximate to the floor  12 , can be used to receive and conceal cables C that may include power cables, telephone and data lines. 
     In  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the cross-sectional configurations of the molding associated or used in conjunction with the baseboard units are shown in cross section. It will be clear from the comparison of  FIG. 3 , on the one hand, and  FIGS. 5 and 6 , on the other hand, that the general cross-sectional areas and dimensions of the baseboard unit as well as the moldings are generally the same, and mimic each other in outward appearance. In  FIGS. 5 and 6 , therefore, a molding  50  is illustrated that has an upper portion  52 , an intermediate portion  54  and a lower portion  56 . The size and shape upper portion  52  generally correspond to those of the upper member  36  of the baseboard unit, with the shapes and dimensions of the convex or curved  52   a - 52   c  generally corresponding to the shapes  36   b - 36   d.    
     The recess  52   d  generally simulates the opening or passageway  42 , while the flat intermediate surface at  54  corresponds to the flat surface  40  of the face or frontplate of the baseboard unit. Also, the lower portion  56  of the molding generally simulates the lower member  38 . As will be clear, the baseboard unit and moldings need not have the identical, precise or one-to-one correspondence in external shapes or configurations, as long as they generally mimic each so that a casual observer of the baseboard units and moldings would find them to generally have a similar or common configuration. Thus, the curvature  56   a  of the molding should somewhat simulate the curvature  38   d  of the lower member  38 . 
     The moldings may be made of any suitable and conventional materials that can be formed to have the desired profiles. Thus, the moldings may be formed of wood, molded wood chipboard material or extruded molded plastic. 
     One feature of the moldings  54  is that they may be provided with at least one horizontal channel or recess  54   b . The region between the upper and lower ends  52 ,  56  are suitable for receiving heater, fluid-carrying conduits or pipes P 1 , P 2 , beyond the lateral ends of the baseboard unit. As best shown in  FIG. 1 , the conduits within the baseboard unit  20 B extend beyond the lateral ends  20 B′,  20 B″. The cavities or recesses  54   b  allow the pipes or conduits to continue uninterrupted whether they extend through a baseboard unit or through a molding. Providing the recesses  54   b  serves the additional function of making the moldings lighter and less expensive to manufacture, as the moldings with the recesses require less material. However, as evident from  FIG. 6 , such moldings may not all be provided with intermediate recesses  54   b . Only those moldings that are intended to receive conduits need be provided with such recesses. The remaining moldings may optionally be provided with such recesses. 
     The recesses  54   b  open rearwardly to open in a direction facing the wall of the enclosure, so that the moldings can be slipped over the conduits P 1 , P 2 , and secured to the wall without too much effort at the construction site. 
     The moldings are preferably also provided with at least one horizontal channel at the lower end thereof, proximate to the floor of the enclosure for receiving electrical and/or data cables that normally would be received within the lower member  38  of the baseboard unit and extend beyond the baseboard unit. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the lower horizontal channel is in the form of a recess  54   c  in a lower portion of the moldings proximate to the floor of the enclosure that extends rearwardly from a front surface of an intermediate portion of the moldings. A cap  56  cooperates with the moldings to cover the recesses and to form therewith the horizontal channel for receiving the cables C. 
     In the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  and  5 , the spaced pipes or conduits P 1 , P 2  are arranged in a closed-loop system so that one of the conduit, such as the upper conduit P 1 , carries heated fluid, while the other conduit, P 2 , carries cooled fluid. This is also illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     In  FIG. 7 , both the upper and lower conduits P 1 , P 2  carry fluid from a common feeder conduit  60  to the baseboard. The heated fluid flows along direction  66  and is received within a T-shaped coupling  64  for splitting the heated fluid from the common feeder conduit  60  to each of the conduits P 1 , P 2  within the baseboard. To ensure that both conduits P 1 , P 2  are provided with substantially equal amounts of heated fluid, the coupling  64  is preferably provided with a deflecting plate  66  within the coupling for directing substantially equal amounts of heated fluid to both of the conduits. 
     The invention has been shown and described by way of presently preferred embodiments, and many variations and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention, therefore, is not to be limited to any specified form or embodiment, except insofar as such limitations are expressly set forth in the claims. 
     For example, elastic gaskets or beads may be provided between the upper and lower points  32   b ,  34   b  of the support bracket and the longitudinal or horizontal ribs or protuberances  40   a ,  40   b . Alternatively, a thin plastic strip  70  ( FIG. 5 ) having a bead B may, for example, be provided to have a portion thereof received within a recess  70 ′ of the lower portion  56  to snap the lower portion in place. Any other reasonable means may, of course, be used to secure the lower portion  56  of the molding to the upper portion. A rigid or deformable member  56   d  ( FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  5 B) may be provided to provide a press or friction fit and facilitate assembly. However, the lower portion may be secured by suitable fasteners, such as nails  70 , without the use of a snap-in-place, as shown in  FIGS. 6A-6D . Also, the manner of securing the brackets  32 ,  34  to the backplate  30  is not critical, as these may be welded to the backplate or secured thereto by means of rivets. 
     The conduits P 1 , P 2  may be, for example, half-inch ID thin walled pipe, or another common size of pipe. The fins F are typically much thinner than the outer case or backplate, as many such fins are typically mounted closely spaced to each other on the conduits or pipes in order to increase the effective surface area through which heat exchange can take place. 
     Also, while shaped fins or plates have been illustrated, it should be clear that any other suitable shapes can be used in order to conform to the required dimensions of the baseboard units, as well as the efficiencies required for heat transfer. 
     As suggested previously, the combination of baseboard units and associated or corresponding moldings can be used about the entire perimeter of a room or enclosure, or only along some of the walls. This choice will depend on the amount of heat that is to be brought into the enclosure, as well as the other properties of the enclosure, including the number of doors, etc. 
       FIG. 8  shows an alternate construction of a molding  80  that generally conforms to the shape of the moldings shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . However, the molding  80  is itself is easily and conveniently constructed using individual members. Thus, an upper member  80   a  corresponds generally to the upper portion  52 , the central member  80   b  corresponds generally to the intermediate portion  54  and the lower member  80   d  corresponds generally to the lower portion  56 . Suitable spacers  80   c  and  80   e  are used to provide desired spacing from the wall and to provide pipe-receiving and cable-receiving compartments  80   f  and  80   g , respectively. Again, the specific profiles are not critical so longs as they generally correspond to the associated baseboard heater units with which they are used. While the previous embodiments discussed the use of suitable materials for construction during extrusion, it is obvious from the embodiment, that suitable materials for this embodiment may differ to include wood, plastic, or tile rather the extruded materials. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9-9   c , an alternate fin construction is shown that may facilitate assembly of the units. The fins F include a circular hole H′ and semi-circulator cut-out H″, as shown. By mounting fins F 1  on pipe P 1  and fins FZ on pipe P 2  as shown, the pipes can be rested on each other and properly spaced. In one embodiment, the fins are advantageously welded, at W, to their associated pipes about the peripheries of the holes H′. Since the fins F 1  and F 2  are identical, only one pipe with fin design need to be used and cut to size on a site and assembled as shown in any desired lengths. 
     It will also be clear to those skilled in the art that the same baseboard system can be employed in a single enclosure or room or can be extended or carried through multiple rooms by bringing the heated fluid conducting pipes into any enclosures or rooms that need to be heated. The pipes can be looped, as suggested in  FIG. 1 , and can also be extended from room to room by bringing the pipes through the floors and beneath the floor substructure to another enclosure or room.