Patent CA-2387057-A1 (CA)
Inventor: JAMIESON WILLIAM M
IPC: E04F13/08
Filed: 2002-06-04
Abstract: In decorative moldings, the customary methods of installation are by fastening the component parts to a supporting surface by using adhesives, clips, tape, screws or nails and subsequently filling any holes in the surface with a compound that is compatible to the molding material. In this invention, a main track of extended length and flexible sides is anchored to a supporting surface that typically would be a wall or ceiling. The flexible sides are tapered at the end to for a locking step that is designed to receive a cover.  The track channel is also designed to act as a conduit for transporting electrical wires or cable. Once the desired wall or ceiling grid is established, the channel track can be cut to the desired length. A plurality in decorative blocks to act as 90 degree corner blocks, passage blocks, three way border blocks and four way cross pattern blocks. Once snapped into position, these blocks can be adjusted on the channel track to fit in the desired position. The largest exposed surface of these decorator blocks has a recess or cavity with short protruding flanges that allows a decorative medallion having tapered sides, to snap into place in the same manner as the blocks snap into place on the channel track. The cover for this fixed track channel has such a design that allows a cover to snap into position when fit over the channel track. The cover has the ability to slide along the track to facilitate precise positioning. Once the exact grid is established, the channel cover can be cut to the required length. The cover butts up to the decorative blocks.  The inside of said channel track cover has short protruding flanges that serve as a stop for the tapered flexible locking step sides of the track channel once the track channel cover is snapped into position. Indentations or cavities along the exterior sides and bottom of the track cover permit the attachment of decorative moldings in the manner that the track channel cover is attached to the channel track. These decorative molding strips can be cut to the desired length. The indentations in the sides of the channel track cover, the bottom of said channel track cover, the underside of the decorator blocks, the underside of the variant decorator blocks, and the inside of the track channel cover are similar in design and function, but vary in size. Each has the ability to receive a tapered flexible locking step.     In a variant form, the blocks have a recessed area where the recesses meet the supporting surface that allows a wall or ceiling panel to be used with the dimensions of the grid established by the size of the panels. The panels rest on both the recessed area of the block and the top of the side moldings that snap into position on the channel track cover. The result is decorative molding system that can be installed with a minimum of effort and is customized to the individual project. The moldings can be easily removed from the channel track cover by compressing the flexible sides of the locking step and pulling the molding out of the sides and bottom of the channel track cover. Once the side moldings have been removed, the panels are left resting on the recessed areas of the decorator blocks thus allowing for easy removal. This allows for molding changes rather than an expensive removal, surface repair and installation of a new system on the wall or ceiling. The decorative moldings will be available in a variety of patterns that facilitate change as opposed to replacement of the system.