Patent Abstract:
A trim assembly for interior walls of buildings has a cornerpiece configured for retention in a corner between intersecting walls, a trim strip extending from each opposite side of the cornerpiece, a tang extending from each opposite side of the cornerpiece and extending into slots in respective trim strips, a block member at each opposite side of the cornerpiece, at least one post extending from at least one of the block members and into a slot in a decorative member, and a clip device disposed about the post to retain it in the slot to retain the decorative member relative to the block member.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims benifit of Provisional Application No. 60/532,539, filed Dec. 24, 2003, entitled “Interior Wall Trim System”. 

   BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides components and features which enable a non-expert person to install trim assemblies for interior walls in a building such as a house without requiring specialized skills and special equipment. 
   The present invention enables an unskilled person, such as a homeowner, to install trim assemblies between interior walls and ceilings. 
   The prior art ordinarily requires a person with certain expertise and utilizing specialized equipment to install such trim assemblies. 
   Preferred embodiments of the trim assemblies for interior walls and ceilings, include trim strips at opposite sides of a cornerpiece, and a tang extending from respective opposite sides of the cornerpiece into slots in respective trim strips. A block member is disposed at each of the opposite sides of a cornerpiece, and at least one post extends from one or more block members into respective slots in decorative members, and clips to retain the posts in slots to retain decorative members. 
   Tangs extend oppositely from respective sides of the cornerpiece and into slots in respective decorative strips. The clips are preferably of a T-shaped configuration and have outwardly extending portions to engage in slots to retain the posts. 
   One or more tangs extend from each block member and into the slots in the cornerpiece. Other tangs extend from each block member oppositely from said first tang members and into slots in respective trim strips at opposite sides of the cornerpiece. 
   Clip members are disposed at respective posts to retain the posts in respective slots to retain the decorative member. 
   The block members are preferably secured at an inter-section between a ceiling and walls by clip members on posts extending into slots in the wall. 
   In embodiments of generally rectilinear arrangements, as about a door or window, a plurality of corner members are disposed at intersections of elongate members. 
   Each corner member has at least one tang extending from two adjacent sides and into elongate members to attach them together, the elongate members having end portions thereon at least one post extending into a slot in a trim member with clip means to retain the trim member in the slots. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as viewed from below, showing the mounting thereof in corners between walls and ceiling; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the decorative molding section of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken at line  3 — 3  in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view taken at line  4 — 4  in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken at line  5 — 5  in  FIG. 1  showing a tang component in relation to a slot defined in an adjacent decorative molding section; 
       FIG. 5A  is a sectional view taken at line  5 A— 5 A in  FIG. 1 , showing a tang utilized with the invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a mounting block utilized with the embodiment of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged sectional view taken at line  8 — 8  in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a leaf spring component utilized with the invention; 
       FIG. 10  is an end view of the leaf spring device of  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 11  is an enlarged sectional view taken at line  11 — 11  in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below, showing it mounted between a ceiling and intersecting walls; 
       FIG. 13  is an elevational view of a door and decorative components and moldings thereon; 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a corner block and tangs extending therefrom utilized in the embodiment of  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 15  is an enlarged sectional view taken at line  15 — 15  in  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 16  is an enlarged sectional view taken at line  16 — 16  in  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an outside corner member with tangs extending therefrom; 
       FIG. 18  is an enlarged sectional view taken at line  18 — 18  in  FIG. 17  showing a rounded corner defined by an insertion member; 
       FIG. 19  is a perspective view of resilient elements on a block; and 
       FIG. 20  is a view taken at line  20 — 20  in  FIG. 19 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment  10  of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5 .  FIG. 1  is a view upwardly toward an intersection  12  between a ceiling  14  and walls  16 ,  18 . 
   A corner member  20  is secured in a corner between walls  16  and  18 , as by a screw  21 , referring to  FIG. 4  which extends into the corner defined between the wall  18  and ceiling  14 . The corner member is self-centering during its installation and is readily urged into the corner without fumbling or complications. If there is no wood or other material disposed at the corner to receive a screw, a separate member (not shown) may be positioned behind the intersecting walls to receive the screw. 
   The corner-piece member has tangs extending therefrom, and typically molded integrally therewith, one pair of spaced-apart tangs  22 ,  24  extending from each side of the corner-piece member  20 , as shown. These tangs extend into passages  26 ,  28  in the oppositely extending molding sections  30 ,  32 . The tangs are T-shaped in cross-section, as indicated in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 5A . The outer portion of the tangs may be tapered, as indicated in  FIG. 5 , to facilitate entry of the upper portions of respective tangs into the slots or passages  26 ,  28  in the molding sections  30 ,  32 . Two blocks  34 ,  36  are secured to a wall by screws  21  and are adjacent to the opposite sides of the corner-piece member  20 , and are integral with the corner-piece, as shown. 
   A slot  23  is defined in block portions  34 ,  36  in  FIG. 1  and at  53  in block portions in  FIG. 12  and at  73  in  FIG. 6 , into which an end portion of a measuring tape may be retained, as by force-fitting, thus to enable one person to use the measuring tape without requiring a second person to grip and hold the opposite end of a tape. 
     FIG. 12  shows an alternate embodiment  40  of the invention which is somewhat simpler than the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , and somewhat simpler to use and install.  FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of components according to the invention mounted between a ceiling and intersecting walls. In this embodiment, two blocks  42 ,  44  are adjacent respectively to the respective ends of molding sections  46 ,  48 , which molding sections are typically 8′–10′ long. The blocks  42 ,  44  may be utilized with specially made cornerpiece  51 . 
   The type of corner member shown will function as an outside corner as well as an inside corner. Tangs  50  similar to those of  FIGS. 1 ,  5  and  5 A are mounted on the blocks  42 ,  44 . The blocks  42 ,  44  may have such width or be narrowed as required in particular installations. 
   Referring to  FIG. 12 , each block is slid into one end of the cornerpieces and provides an arrangement similar to that of  FIG. 1 . The tangs  50 ,  52  on the respective blocks extend into sockets  54 ,  56  in the cornerpiece. It may be appropriate to extend the sockets further into the cornerpiece than shown because it may be less expensive to thus provide the sockets. 
   The tangs on blocks  42 ,  44  enter into passages or sockets  57 ,  58  in the respective 8′–10′ long molding sections  46 ,  48 , the sockets being shown in broken lines at  57 ,  58 . 
   A third embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8 . This embodiment includes a cornerpiece similar to that of  FIG. 12 . In  FIG. 6 , there is shown a block  72 , similar to block  42  of the embodiment of  FIG. 12 , and like block  42  has thereon two tangs to engage in slots or passages (not shown) in adjacent molding sections  74 ,  76  in the manner in which the tangs of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  extend into the passages or slots indicated in  FIG. 1  by broken lines. As with  FIG. 1 , the molding section is typically 8′–10′ long and comprise decorative molding. 
   The broken line showings or areas  82  of  FIG. 6  represent spaced-apart members like member  70 , which are secured, as by screws, to a wall and attached by posts with leaf springs thereon extending into T-shaped slots such as are shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  11 . 
     FIGS. 8 to 11  illustrate certain components relative to the embodiment of  FIG. 6 . Spring components are provided on posts to engage in openings or grooves, in the manner indicated in  FIG. 11 .  FIGS. 9 and 10  show the leaf spring components  60  in perspective and in sectional views, and a spring component  60  is shown in  FIG. 11  engaged about a post  66  engaged in a T-shaped slot  64 , with the leaf spring portions engaging the side walls of the slot to retain member  62  in the slot, as shown.  FIG. 11  is an enlarged sectional view taken at line  11 — 11  in  FIG. 8  and showing two posts with leaf spring members  60  thereon in relation to T-shaped slots in a molded decorative section. The spring member  60  snaps in place in the T-shaped slot, thus to retain molded sections in place. 
   The spring members of  FIGS. 9 and 10  are mounted on posts  66  and serve to attach the longitudinal molding pieces to block members such as blocks  70  of  FIG. 6  which are secured, as by screws, to a wall on which the longitudinal molding pieces are attached. 
   With T-shaped grooves  80  in the back side of the decorative longitudinal members when mounted, the decorative molding is on the outer side and the T-shaped grooves are on the inner side and secured by the posts  66  and leaf spring members  60  thereon in position. 
   The leaf spring members  60  may be fabricated of appropriate plastic, and their configuration may differ somewhat from the configuration of  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
   The decorative moldings must be solidly anchored along their lengths and are supported typically at 16″–24″ intervals along the molding as necessitated by the moldings being fairly flexible, being formed of certain plastics, wood, or other appropriate material. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 13 through 16 , there are shown components according to the present invention which provide decorative molding about a door or a window. 
   Blocks  90  have pairs of tangs  92  extending outwardly from adjacent sides of the blocks. The blocks are disposed at upper corners of a door and mid-way adjacent the vertical sides of the door. The tangs  92  extend into appropriate openings in an upper decorative member  94  and into vertical members  93  and  95 . The blocks  90  have tangs extending upwardly and laterally to engage outwardly extending decorative strips  96  and vertical strips  93 ,  95 . 
     FIG. 15 , taken at line  15 — 15  in  FIG. 13 , shows enlargement of a cross-section of T-shaped slots  98  in a molding and a block  99  having tangs extending from opposite sides thereof, as shown.  FIG. 16  shows the engagement of the T-shaped slots  100  of a decorative section, to accommodate posts  102  with spring members thereon. 
     FIG. 16  shows the utilization of the leaf spring members  60  atop posts  102  and engaged in T-shaped slots  61  to secure a decorative member  106 . 
   Decorative trim is mounted by blocks  90  on which are mounted a plurality of tangs extending from adjacent sides 90° apart, to engage decorative molded sections  93 ,  94  and  95  by engagement of the tangs thereon in passages or slots in respective decorative mold members. 
   The tangs engage in slots or openings in the decorative sections or members in a manner similar to that in which the tangs of earlier described embodiments engage in corresponding slots or passages to retain decorative mold sections. 
     FIG. 17  is a view of a corner member  110  with members  112 ,  114  extending therefrom and attached by tangs  116  and  118 .  FIG. 18  shows an exterior member  110  with block components  112 ,  114  attached thereto by tangs  116 ,  118  which extend into passages in the decorative molding as in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
     FIG. 18  is a view looking upwardly and is partially in section to show a member  120  of generally triangular configuration with a rounded outer portion or surface. Member  120  fits into a corner, and has a mounting prong or rod portion  122  extending into the corner member, as shown. This arrangement provided by the invention prevents a person or observer, looking upwardly, from seeing any hole or void or rectangular corner. Current house construction tends to eliminate right-angled corners, and instead employ rounded, curvilinear corners. 
     FIG. 19  shows resilient retainer elements  123  serving the function of the leaf spring members  60  ( FIGS. 9 and 11 ). They are inserted in the T-shaped slot like post  66  in  FIG. 11 , the members  123  being urged through the vertical portion of the T-shaped slot  64 , and being compressed in passing through the vertical portion of the T-shaped slot and expanding into the upper transverse portion of the T-shaped slot  64  ( FIG. 11 ), thus to retain the member  66  in the T-shaped slot. 
     FIG. 20  is a sectional view taken at line  20 — 20  in  FIG. 19 . A threaded fastener or screw  21  extends through a passage  21 ′ which is oriented at a substantial angle relative to the screw of the embodiment of  FIG. 8  in order to engage member  18 . This arrangement enables the securement of the block  71 , and is utilized in the event there is no substantial material or wood for the securement of a screw at the corner where member  71  is positioned. 
   It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made from the preferred embodiments discussed above without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is established by the following claims and equivalents thereof.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4