Patent Abstract:
An arrangement for framing a lolly column, includes two U-shaped framing members adapted to be wrapped and secured tightly about a lolly column. Each framing member has a U-shaped profile and includes a center member, first and second legs in parallel, spaced apart relation, and a tab extending from an end of each leg in a direction transverse to a lengthwise direction of each leg. There are also four equi-angularly spaced wall members secured to outer surfaces of the framing members for securing elongated 4×4 inch wood framing members thereto such that the wood framing members extend in a direction parallel to the lolly column. Each wall member includes first and second walls forming an outwardly facing right angle therebetween and presenting outwardly facing planar surfaces to which an elongated wood framing member is adapted to be secured.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to lolly columns, and more particularly, is directed to an arrangement for easily framing lolly columns. 
         [0002]    Conventionally, large rooms, such as basements and the like, include at least one lolly column for structural support. A lolly column is typically a concrete filled steel pipe column used to support a girder or other beam. When refinishing a room containing lolly columns, it is conventional to frame the lolly columns, that is, to surround the lolly columns with spaced apart, suitable size framing member, such as 2×2 inch, 2×4 inch, 2×6 inch, 4×4 inch, etc. wood framing members that extend from the floor to the ceiling, with sheet rock, paneling, etc. nailed to the wood framing members in order to provide a decorative appearance. However, this framing procedure is generally a tedious and time-consuming job. 
         [0003]    Accordingly, various arrangements have been provided for aiding in the framing of lolly columns. U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,471 to Kupiec and U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,433 to Lang each provide a column enclosing kit for particular application to a circular column, formed by two U-shaped members or collars with part-circular inner walls for enclosing the column. The wall boards are secured directly to the flat outer surfaces of the U-shaped members. There is no disclosure of any specific corner pieces that will accept various size framing members. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,467,584 to Crites et al discloses a framing arrangement for framing columns of square cross-section only, and includes clips secured at the corners by a band encircling the square column, and to which L-shaped, corner angle, vertically oriented strips are attached to notches of the corner clips. 
         [0005]    Other patents are also directed to framing columns of square of I-beam cross-section, namely, U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,084 to Verbiar et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,427 to Crites et al and U.S. Pat. No. 3,998,028 to Pelletier et al. 
         [0006]    However, none of these patents provide for framing a lolly column of circular cross-section, with the provision of securing various size framing members to the corners. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement for easily framing lolly columns that overcomes the problems with the aforementioned prior art. 
         [0008]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an arrangement for easily framing lolly columns in which the framing members are secured around the lolly columns and include right angle walls for securing framing members thereto. 
         [0009]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide an arrangement for easily framing lolly columns in which a framing operation can be performed quickly, efficiently and accurately. 
         [0010]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an arrangement for easily framing lolly columns that is easy and economical to use and manufacture. 
         [0011]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an arrangement for easily framing a lolly column, includes at least one framing member adapted to be wrapped and secured tightly about a lolly column; and a plurality of wall members secured to the at least one framing member for securing elongated framing members thereto such that the framing members extend in a direction parallel to the lolly column, each wall member including a first wall presenting an outwardly facing planar surface to which an elongated framing member is adapted to be secured. 
         [0012]    Preferably, each wall member includes a second wall presenting an outwardly facing planar surface to which the elongated framing member is adapted to be secured, the second wall being connected with the first wall, and with the first and second walls of each wall member forming a right angle therebetween which faces outwardly. Further, each wall of the wall member includes an opening for receiving a screw therethrough for securement of a framing member thereto. 
         [0013]    In a first embodiment, there are first and second framing members, each framing member having a generally U-shaped configuration and including a center member, first and second legs extending in the same direction from opposite ends of the center member so as to be in parallel, spaced apart relation, and a tab extending from an end of each of the first and second legs in a direction transverse to a lengthwise direction of each leg. Preferably, the tabs of the first framing member are upturned relative to the first and second legs thereof, and the tabs of the second framing member are downturned relative to the first and second legs thereof such that when the first and second framing members are positioned around a lolly column, the first legs of the first and second framing members overlap each other, the second legs of the first and second framing members overlap each other, and the tabs are positioned in relation to the wall members so as to be secured thereto in order to secure the arrangement around the lolly column. Preferably, there are four sets of first and second walls at four corners of the arrangement, equi-angularly spaced apart by 90° around the lolly column. 
         [0014]    Further, in this first embodiment, each framing member is generally planar, and the wall members have a height substantially greater than a thickness of the planar framing members. In such case, the wall members are secured to the framing members in such a manner that the framing members substantially bisect the height of the wall members. 
         [0015]    In a second embodiment, the framing member includes a substantially hollow, thin walled cylindrical member having a lengthwise slot extending therealong, and lengthwise extending flanges extending along facing edges of the cylindrical member on opposite sides of the lengthwise slot in facing relation to each other. Preferably, each lengthwise extending flange extends along an entire length of the cylindrical member. 
         [0016]    There are four equi-angularly spaced wall members secured to an outer surface of the cylindrical member, each wall member including a second wall presenting an outwardly facing planar surface to which the elongated framing member is adapted to be secured, the second wall being connected with the first wall, with the first and second walls of each wall member forming a right angle therebetween which faces outwardly. Each wall of the wall member includes an opening for receiving a screw therethrough for securement of the framing member thereto. Preferably, there are four sets of first and second walls equi-angularly spaced apart by 90° around the lolly column. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the wall members each extend along an entire length of the cylindrical member. 
         [0018]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an arrangement for easily framing lolly columns according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with the 4×4 inch wood framing members shown in phantom; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the arrangement of  FIG. 1 , shown in an assembled condition around a lolly column, with the 4×4 inch wood framing members and the lolly column shown in phantom; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the arrangement of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of the arrangement of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is an assembled perspective view of an arrangement for easily framing lolly columns according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with the 4×4 inch wood framing members and the lolly column shown in phantom; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the arrangement of  FIG. 5 ; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of the arrangement of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]    Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to  FIGS. 1-4  thereof, an arrangement  10  for easily framing lolly columns according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a first substantially U-shaped framing member  12  and a second substantially U-shaped framing member  14 . 
         [0027]    Framing member  12  is formed by a thin, plate-like center member  16  and two thin, plate-like legs  18  and  20  extending at right angles from the ends of the center member  16  and being in parallel, spaced apart relation. Center member  16  and legs  18  and  20  are coplanar and have a uniform thickness. The inner circumference formed by the inner facing walls of center member  16  and legs  18  and  20  defines a generally semi-circular wall  22  which staightens out toward the ends of the legs  18  and  20 , while the outer circumference formed by the outer facing walls of center member  16  and legs  18  and  20  defines a generally square or rectangular shape. 
         [0028]    In like manner, framing member  14  is formed by a thin, plate-like center member  24  and two thin, plate-like legs  26  and  28  extending at right angles from the ends of the center member  24  and being in parallel, spaced apart relation. Center member  24  and legs  26  and  28  are coplanar and have a uniform thickness. The inner circumference formed by the inner facing walls of center member  24  and legs  26  and  28  defines a generally semi-circular wall  30  which staightens out toward the ends of the legs  26  and  28 , while the outer circumference formed by the outer facing walls of center member  24  and legs  26  and  28  defines a generally square or rectangular shape. The dimensions and shapes of framing members  12  and  14  are substantially mirror images of each other. 
         [0029]    Legs  18  and  20  of framing member  12  each have an upwardly extending tab  32  at their free ends, while legs  26  and  28  of member  14  each have a downwardly extending tab  34  at their free ends. Each tab  32  and  34  has a hole  33  extending therethrough. 
         [0030]    In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, the corners  36 , that is, where center member  16  and legs  18  and  20  meet and where center member  24  and legs  26  and  28  meet, are cut-out, and right angle walls  38  are secured in the cut-out corners  36 . Right angle walls  38  are formed by a first rectangular wall  40  and a second rectangular wall  42  connected at an edge  44  at right angles to first wall  40  such that the right angle between walls  40  and  42  faces outwardly. The heights of walls  40  and  42  are the same and are much greater than the thickness of center members  16  and  24  and legs  18 ,  20 ,  26  and  28 . The connection of center members  16  and  24  and legs  18 ,  20 ,  26  and  28  to walls  40  and  42  substantially bisects walls  40  and  42  along the height thereof so that center members  16  and  24  and legs  18 ,  20 ,  26  and  28  are centered as to walls  40  and  42 , although the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, although not limited thereto, the ends of walls  40  and  42  are substantially flush with the outer facing walls of center members  16  and  24  and legs  18 ,  20 ,  26  and  28  which form the generally square or rectangular shape. Each wall  40  and  42  has at least one hole  41  extending therethrough. 
         [0031]    When framing members  12  and  14  are fit around a lolly column  46 , legs  18  and  26  ride over and overlap each other and legs  20  and  28  ride over and overlap each other until tabs  32  and  34  abut against right angle walls  40  and are screwed thereinto by screws  48  in order to hold framing members  12  and  14  tightly together around lolly column  46 . It will be appreciated that different size framing members  12  and  14  are provided with different internal diameters corresponding to different diameter lolly columns  46  such that, when assembled, inner semi-circular walls  22  and  30  are in contact with the outer surface of lolly column  46 . 
         [0032]    At this time, 2×2 inch, 2×4 inch, 2×6 inch, 4×4 inch, etc. wood, metal or plastic framing members  50  are arranged to fit within right angle walls  38  and are secured thereto by screws  52 . In this manner, framing of a lolly column  46  is relatively straightforward and simple. Thereafter, paneling, sheet rock, etc. (not shown) is secured to framing members  50  by screws or nails, as is conventional. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5-7 , there is a shown an arrangement  110  for easily framing lolly columns according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, rather than providing two U-shaped framing members  12  and  14 , arrangement  110  includes a hollow, substantially cylindrical member  112  defined by a thin, substantially annular wall  113  of uniform thickness which fits around the lolly column  146 . Cylindrical member  112  includes a lengthwise slot  115  and the ends of which are provided with lengthwise extending flanges  117  and  119  which, when positioned around lolly column  146 , are in facing or substantially abutting relation and can be held together by screws  148 . It will be appreciated that, although flanges  117  and  119  are shown extending the entire length of cylindrical member  112 , the present invention is not limited thereto, and flanges  117  and  119  can extend less than the entire length of cylindrical member  112 . It is merely necessary to pull flanges  117  and  119  apart in order to position cylindrical member  112  around lolly column  146 , and when positioned therearound, the resiliency of cylindrical member  112  will force flanges  117  and  119  back into substantial contact with each other. Flanges  117  and  119  have aligned holes  121  extending therethrough. 
         [0034]    Arrangement  110  also includes four equi-angularly spaced right angle walls  138  around the outer circumference of cylindrical member  112  for receiving framing members  150 . Thus, right angle walls  138  are equi-angularly spaced apart by 90° around the lolly column. Right angle walls  138  are each formed by a first rectangular wall  140  and a second rectangular wall  142  connected at an edge  144  at right angles to first wall  140  such that the right angle between walls  140  and  142  faces outwardly. The heights of walls  140  and  142  are the same as the height of cylindrical member  112 , although the present invention is not limited thereto. Each wall  140  and  142  has at least one hole  141  extending therethrough. 
         [0035]    In operation, it is only necessary to pull apart and separate flanges  117  and  119 , and then position cylindrical member  112  around lolly column  146 . Due to the resilience of cylindrical member  112 , the ends which contain flanges  117  and  119  will spring back toward each other once placed around lolly column  146 . It will be appreciated that different size cylindrical members  112  are provided with different internal diameters corresponding to different diameter lolly columns  146  such that, when assembled, the inner cylindrical wall surface of cylindrical wall  112  is in contact with the outer surface of lolly column  146 . Thereafter, screws  148  are inserted through flanges  117  and  119  to tightly secure cylindrical wall  112  around lolly column  146 . It will be appreciated that arrangement  110  provides the additional advantage that it is adaptable to different size lolly columns  146  by tightening flanges  117  and  119  toward each other to a greater or lesser extent. 
         [0036]    At this time, framing members  150  are arranged to fit within right angle walls  138  and are secured thereto by screws  152 . In this manner, framing of a lolly column  146  is relatively straightforward and simple. Thereafter, paneling, sheet rock, etc. (not shown) is secured to framing members  150  by screws or nails, as is conventional. 
         [0037]    It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made to the present invention within the scope of the claims. For example, it is possible that walls  42 ,  142  can be eliminated. In such case, although it would not be as secure an arrangement, the framing members  50 ,  150  would be connected only to walls  40 ,  140 , respectively. 
         [0038]    It will also be appreciated that right angle walls  38 ,  138  can be formed separately from and then be secured to framing members  12 ,  14  and cylindrical member  112 , respectively, or they can be formed integrally as one-piece therewith in a molding operation. 
         [0039]    It will be appreciated that different size framing member  50 ,  150  can be fit around the same lolly column  46 ,  146 , for example, to move sheet rock or paneling out, in order to meet other walls or structures, such as soffits, ceilings, etc. 
         [0040]    It will also be appreciated that corner beads commonly provided at the corners of sheet rock can now be positively secured to the framing members at any length and any interval. 
         [0041]    It will further be appreciated that all four corners need not be utilized. For example, only one corner can be used to form a right angle for a wall to be formed, for example, when dividing an area into separate rooms. 
         [0042]    Having described specific preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4