U.S. patent application number 09/909451 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-23 for plaster crown molding system for indirect lighting.
Invention is credited to Hahn, Richard D.W..
Application Number | 20030014931 09/909451 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25427251 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030014931 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hahn, Richard D.W. |
January 23, 2003 |
Plaster crown molding system for indirect lighting
Abstract
A plaster crown molding tile has an upright body portion
providing a front decorative surface and, in opposition thereto, a
rear wall-engaging surface. Integral with the body portion, a
topper portion extends angularly upwardly. The wall-engaging
surface provides spaced apart horizontally oriented planar strips
and between the strips plural grooves spaced apart by ribs. Peaks
of the ribs define a first selected depth relative to the
horizontal strips, and valleys of the grooves define a second
selected depth relative to the horizontal strips. These surface
features enable the tile to be more easily shaved to a desired
depth for custom fitting the tile for improved butt seams.
Inventors: |
Hahn, Richard D.W.; (Diamond
Bar, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GENE SCOTT
PATENT LAW & VENTURE GROUP ITTT
3151 AIRWAY AVE
SUITE K 105
COSTA MESA
CA
92626
US
|
Family ID: |
25427251 |
Appl. No.: |
09/909451 |
Filed: |
July 18, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/287.1 ;
52/290; 52/831 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 19/0477 20130101;
E04F 2019/0418 20130101; F21V 33/006 20130101; F21V 7/0008
20130101; E04F 19/0436 20130101; E04F 2019/044 20130101; E04F
2019/0454 20130101; E04F 19/0495 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/287.1 ;
52/290; 52/720.1 |
International
Class: |
E04B 002/00; E04B
005/00; E04F 019/04; E04C 003/30 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A plaster crown molding apparatus comprising: an upright body
portion providing a front decorative surface and, in opposition
thereto, a rear wall-engaging surface; and integral with the body
portion, a topper portion extending angularly upwardly therefrom
for providing a space for a lighting means, the wall-engaging
surface providing spaced apart horizontally oriented planar strips
and between the strips plural grooves spaced apart by ribs; peaks
of the ribs defining a first selected depth relative to the
horizontal strips, and valleys of the grooves defining a second
selected depth relative to the horizontal strips, the second
selected depth of greater magnitude than the first selected
depth.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a central planar
horizontally oriented strip placed at the first selected depth.
3. An inside corner plaster crown molding system comprising: plural
linear tiles placed adjacent to an inside corner of a wall
structure and spaced apart; an inside corner tile adapted for
engaging the plural linear tiles in a contiguous and unbroken form;
wherein each of the tiles provides a front decorative surface and,
in opposition thereto, a rear wall-engaging surface; and integral
with the body portion, a topper portion extending angularly
upwardly therefrom, the wall-engaging surface providing spaced
apart horizontally oriented planar strips and between the strips
plural grooves spaced apart by ribs; peaks of the ribs defining a
first selected depth relative to the horizontal strips, and valleys
of the grooves defining a second selected depth relative to the
horizontal strips, the second selected depth of greater magnitude
than the first selected depth; and an indirect lighting strip laid
between the wall and the topper portions of the tiles for directing
light upwardly in concealment by the topper portions.
4. An outside corner plaster crown molding system comprising:
plural linear tiles placed adjacent to an outside corner of a wall
structure and spaced apart; an outside corner tile adapted for
engaging the plural linear tiles in a contiguous and unbroken form;
wherein each of the tiles provides a front decorative surface and,
in opposition thereto, a rear wall-engaging surface; and integral
with the body portion, a topper portion extending angularly
upwardly therefrom, the wall-engaging surface providing spaced
apart horizontally oriented planar strips and between the strips
plural grooves spaced apart by ribs; peaks of the ribs defining a
first selected depth relative to the horizontal strips, and valleys
of the grooves defining a second selected depth relative to the
horizontal strips, the second selected depth of greater magnitude
than the first selected depth; and an indirect lighting strip laid
between the wall and the topper portions of the tiles for directing
light upwardly in concealment by the topper portions.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to crown molding and
indirect lighting systems and more particularly to a plaster
molding adapted for indirect lighting and a method for
installation.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] The following art defines the present state of this
field:
[0005] Minidis, U.S. D424,709 describes a cove base design.
[0006] Roberts, U.S. Pat. No. 4,600,975 describes an indirect
lighting assembly consisting of a housing structure and low voltage
light tubing for retention therein, said housing structure being a
unitarily extruded body having an anchor tab portion extending
perpendicularly into a spacer portion and terminating in a light
tube housing portion having an open area directing light generally
perpendicular to the plane of said spacer portion.
[0007] Azzar et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,886 describes an extruded,
thermoplastic baseboard elastomeric molding strip having opposed
generally flat front and rear surfaces is provided with a plurality
of closely vertically, spaced horizontal, parallel ribs projecting
outwardly of the flat front surface over the full surface area
thereof. The strip is formed of front and rear surface layers of
thermoplastic material of the same durometer hardness with the
front surface layer forming at least the tips of the front surface
ribs being of a low density thermoplastic material and the balance
of the strip being of high density thermoplastic material. The
front and rear surface layers may be of contrasting colors. The
rear surface of the strip is preferably formed with concave grooves
separated by a multiplicity of fine, vertically spaced horizontal,
parallel rearwardly projecting ribs with a rear, center rib between
adjacent fine ribs, of a larger diameter than adjacent fine ribs
separating the rear surface grooves. The rear surface configuration
facilitates removing of excess wet adhesive and maintenance of
flush adhesive mounting of the molding strip to a building vertical
wall.
[0008] Logan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,923 describes a decorative
molding for a corner formed by a ceiling and a vertical wall
comprising a thin strip of flexible plastic and is secured to the
wall by an attachment allowing the molding strip along its upper
and lower edges to be flexible to conform with uneven surfaces in
the ceiling and/or wall. In one form the strip is attached to the
wall by an adhesive. In another form, a wall track and clip
arrangement is utilized to provide easy removal from the wall for
paint or wallpaper application. A corner element is provided in one
form in which ends of the strips are adhesively secured thereto in
overlapping engagement. In another embodiment, the strips are
telescopically connected to the corner element.
[0009] Pelosi, Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,431 describes a
fabricated structural beam including at least one longitudinally
folded member having a web portion and a head portion. In different
embodiments, a plurality of folded members may be interleaved with
one another to provide configurations of varying load carrying
capabilities. In all cases, the folded head portion is made rigid
by forming it into a tube that is closed on all sides.
[0010] Brabant, U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,224 describes an architectural
molding assembly comprising of straight molding pieces having a
decorative outer surface and a channel in the rear surface thereof.
A wall attaching plate is slidingly secured in the channel and has
a slot or an aperture therein to engage with a fastener which is
secured to a wall. The fastener may be in the form of a screw or a
clamp having a projecting finger. When the attaching plates are
engaged by the fasteners they are urged against the wall and
maintained there under tension. No nail is inserted in the molding
and molding connecting pieces and accordingly the assembly can be
easily dismantled and remounted when desired.
[0011] Brooks, U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,655 describes a decorative
lighting trim system comprising an assemblage of architectural
moldings having a viewable surface which is structured to simulate
an architectural trim or molding. The architectural molding is
configured to retain lights, and to retain and conceal
interconnecting electrical wiring to electrify the lights, in a
manner which permits the attachment of the architectural moldings
to a building surface. Because the architectural moldings are
constructed to appear like conventional trims or moldings, the
lighting system is virtually inconspicuous when attached to a
house, building or other architectural structure, such as a fence
or garage. The architectural moldings are in modular sections
having varying selected lengths which allow the user to select the
appropriate number and length of modular sections to extend along a
given building surface, such as an eave, gable or window. The
modular architectural molding assemblage is designed to be affixed
relatively permanently to a building to eliminate the need for
yearly seasonal hanging of lighting trim.
[0012] The prior art teaches the use of artistic moldings with
indirect lighting, but does not teach a plaster crown molding
capable of receiving an indirect lighting system and adapted for
non-planar surface mounting. The present invention fulfills these
needs and provides further related advantages as described in the
following summary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention teaches certain benefits in
construction and use which give rise to the objectives described
below.
[0014] Plaster crown molding tiles of the present invention are
mounted to wall surfaces within rooms and placed so that the topper
portions are spaced downwardly apart from a ceiling surface leaving
a space for indirect lighting effects. The general shape of the
tiles provides a space between the topper portions and the wall
surface for installing a means for indirect lighting. The mounting
surfaces are typically non-planar, and may have rough surface
textures. This presents a problem in mounting as the tiles are
placed using a commercial adhesive or nails as is well known in the
art. Spotty surface roughness can cause adjacent tiles to form a
misalignment at butt joint seams, which presents a poor appearance,
i.e., one tile juts out from the wall surface slightly more than
its neighbor tile. To address this problem, tiles are usually
shaved down on the back, or mounting surface side and this takes
time and creates dust. The present invention, as described below,
improves on this situation by providing an inventive rear
surface.
[0015] A plaster crown molding tiles provide an upright body
portion having a front decorative surface and, in opposition
thereto, a rear wall-engaging surface. Integral with the body
portion, a topper portion extends angularly upwardly therefrom. The
wall-engaging surface provides spaced apart horizontally oriented
planar strips and between the strips plural grooves spaced apart by
ribs. Peaks of the ribs define a first selected depth relative to
the horizontal strips, and valleys of the grooves define a second
selected depth relative to the horizontal strips, wherein, the
second selected depth is of greater magnitude than the first
selected depth.
[0016] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide
an apparatus and method of use of such apparatus that provides
advantages not taught by the prior art.
[0017] Another objective is to provide such an invention capable of
being more easily fitted to non-planar surfaces.
[0018] A further objective is to provide such an invention capable
of being fitted to inside and outside corners with improved butt
joints.
[0019] A still further objective is to provide such an invention
capable of providing improved space for indirect lighting equipment
installations.
[0020] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention.
In such drawings:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the preferred
embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIGS. 2-4 are side elevational views thereof as formed,
partially smoothed and fully smoothed respectively;
[0024] FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views showing construction of
an inside corner thereof; and
[0025] FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views showing construction of
an outside corner thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] The above described drawing figures illustrate the invention
in at least one of its preferred embodiments, which is further
defined in detail in the following description.
[0027] The present invention is a plaster crown molding apparatus
and system. Now referring to FIG. 1, each piece, referred to herein
as tiles, of the system, comprises an upright body portion 10
providing a front decorative surface 20 and, in opposition thereto,
a rear wall-engaging surface 30. Integral with the body portion 10
is a topper portion 40 extending angularly upwardly and away from
the surface 30. This wall-engaging surface 30 provides
spaced-apart, horizontally oriented, planar strips 32 and between
the strips 32, plural grooves 34 are spaced apart by ribs 36. Peaks
37 of the ribs 36 define a first selected depth d1(typically 2 mm)
relative to the horizontal strips 32, and valleys 35 of the grooves
34 define a second selected depth d2 (typically 4 mm) relative to
the horizontal strips 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the second selected
depth d2 is of greater magnitude than the first selected depth d1.
The present invention provides a visual means to determine the
depth of shaving of the rear surface 30 which, depends on the
roughness of the mounting surface 5 and also on is shape. Many
walls are cupped or bowed to some degree (non-planar) so that tiles
of a consistent thickness do not form even butt joint seams. This
is not acceptable in a quality installation and much time is spent
on fitting and matching joints. FIG. 3 shows a shaved rear surface
30 to depth d1, and FIG. 4 shows a shaved rear surface to depth d2.
The advantage here is that the mechanic has a visual means to
determine depth of shaving so that all tiles are shaved in a
consistent manner and frontal seam matching is more easily
achieved. A further benefit is that less dust is produced since the
a majority of the rear surface 30 need not be shaved to produce the
required tile thickness. As shown in FIG. 2 a central planar
horizontally oriented strip 38 may be placed at the first selected
depth and this strip provides stability and added strength to the
tile.
[0028] FIGS. 5 and 6 show an inside corner plaster crown molding
system comprising plural linear tiles 50 placed adjacent to an
inside corner 6 of a wall structure and these tiles are spaced
apart. An inside corner tile 60 is adapted by its shape and size
for engaging the plural linear tiles 50 in a contiguous and
unbroken form wherein each of the tiles 50, 60 provides the front
decorative surface 20 and, in opposition thereto, the rear
wall-engaging surface 30 as described above. An indirect lighting
strip 70 is laid down in area "A" of FIG. 2, between the wall
surface 5 and the topper portions 40 of the tiles 50, 60 for
directing light upwardly in concealment by the topper portions
40.
[0029] FIGS. 7 and 8 show an outside corner plaster crown molding
system which functions similarly to the system of FIGS. 5 and 6. In
this case, the matching of the abutting tiles is even more
important since the seams are more subject to scrutiny. Here, the
system provides plural linear tiles 50 placed adjacent to an
outside corner 7 of a wall structure and spaced apart. An outside
corner tile 7 is adapted for engaging the plural linear tiles 50,
as best seen in FIG. 8, in a contiguous and unbroken form. As
above, the indirect lighting strip 70 is laid between the wall 5
and the topper portions 40 of the tiles 50, 65 for directing light
upwardly in concealment by the topper portions 40. In the
illustrations of FIGS. 5-8, the lighting means 70 is a flexible
transparent tube, such as might be made of a soft plastic, and a
series of lamps installed within the tube and interconnected by
current carrying lines as is well known in the art. Electrical
connections to such a lighting system will be made by those of
skill in the electrical mechanics art without difficulty.
[0030] While the invention has been described with reference to at
least one preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by
those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto.
Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in
conjunction with the appended claims.
* * * * *