U.S. patent application number 11/800269 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-29 for decorative molding system.
Invention is credited to Todd Rowohlt.
Application Number | 20070271865 11/800269 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38668338 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070271865 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rowohlt; Todd |
November 29, 2007 |
Decorative molding system
Abstract
A decorative molding system and method of installation is
provided that has a base piece and a crown piece that are adapted
to be selectively engagable to each other. The molding system is
easy to construct and allows for the separation of the base piece
and crown piece for placing wiring or other materials behind the
molding.
Inventors: |
Rowohlt; Todd; (Freehold,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STROOCK & STROOCK & LAVAN LLP
180 MAIDEN LANE
NEW YORK
NY
10038
US
|
Family ID: |
38668338 |
Appl. No.: |
11/800269 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60797500 |
May 4, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/287.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 2019/044 20130101;
E04F 19/0436 20130101; E04F 2019/0413 20130101; E04F 2019/0427
20130101; E04F 2019/0454 20130101; F21V 33/006 20130101; E04F
19/0463 20130101; H02G 3/0425 20130101; E04F 19/0495 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/287.1 |
International
Class: |
E04B 2/00 20060101
E04B002/00 |
Claims
1. A crown molding system. comprising; a base piece including a
rise portion and a run portion connected via a hinge, the run
portion of the base piece including a first base piece engagement
portion along at least a portion of a length of a front edge of the
run portion, and the rise portion of the base piece including a
second base piece engagement portion along at least a portion of a
length of a bottom edge of the rise portion; a crown piece
including a decorative surface and a first crown engagement portion
along at least a portion of a length of a top edge of the crown
piece and a second crown engagement device along at least a portion
of a length of a bottom edge of the crown piece; and wherein at
least the rise portion of the base piece is mounted on a wall and
the rise portion is rotated about an axis passing through the hinge
to an angle substantially perpendicular to the rise portion and the
wall and the crown piece is selectively engaged with the base piece
via engagement of the first base engagement portion with the first
crown engagement portion and engagement of the second base
engagement portion with the second crown engagement portion.
2. The crown molding system of claim 1, wherein the base piece and
crown piece are made of a PVC material.
3. The crown molding system of claim 1, wherein the base piece
further comprises a second hinge located on the run portion of the
base piece.
4. The crown molding system of claim 1, further comprising an
inside corner piece mountable in an inside corner of two abutting
walls, the inside corner piece including a pair of outwardly
extending tabs for securing the inside corner piece to each of the
two abutting walls and a decorative surface.
5. The crown molding system of claim 1, further comprising an
outside corner piece mountable in an outside corner of two abutting
walls, the outside corner piece including a pair of outwardly
extending tabs for securing the outside corner piece to each of the
two abutting walls and a decorative surface.
6. The crown molding system of claim 1, further comprising a
connector piece mountable on a surface of a wall between two sets
of base pieces and crown pieces, the connector piece including a
pair of outwardly extending tabs for securing the connector piece
to wall and a decorative surface.
7. The crown molding system of claim 1, wherein the hinge includes
a pair of angled faces, such that when the rise and run portions of
the base piece are rotated to a substantially 90-degree angle the
pair of angled faces of the hinge are in abutting relationship.
8. The crown molding system of claim 1, wherein the first and
second base engagement portions are socket-type connectors and the
first and second crown engagement portions are ball-type
connectors.
9. The crown molding system of claim 1, wherein the run portion of
the base piece includes at least one opening.
10. The crown molding system of claim 9, wherein the at least one
opening includes a light reflective insert.
11. The crown molding system of claim 1, wherein the run portion of
the base piece includes a depression running along at least a
portion of the length of the run portion.
12. A method of installing a crown molding comprising the steps of:
measuring a base piece including a rise portion and a run portion
connected via a hinge, the run portion of the base piece including
a first base piece engagement portion along at least a portion of a
length of a front edge of the run portion, and the rise portion of
the base piece including a second base piece engagement portion
along at least a portion of a length of a bottom edge of the rise
portion; rotating the run portion about the hinge so as to fit
between a wall and a ceiling; securing the base piece to at least
the wall; measuring a crown piece including a decorative surface
and a first crown engagement portion along at least a portion of a
length of a top edge of the crown piece and a second crown
engagement device along at least a portion of a length of a bottom
edge of the crown piece; and attaching the crown piece to the base
piece by securing the first base engagement portion with the first
crown engagement portion and engagement of the second base
engagement portion with the second crown engagement portion.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of:
attaching a corner piece in a location where two walls abut.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/797,500, filed May 4, 2006, entitled
"Decorative Molding System," the entire disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to the field of decorative
moldings and, in particular, to a selectively removable crown
molding system.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Applying "crown molding" is the process by which a
decorative molding is applied to the top edge of walls, cabinets,
or other furniture. The process of applying crown molding is
typically done along the seams where a ceiling meets a vertical
wall. Generally speaking, crown molding is difficult to apply
because it is applied at an angle defined by an inside edge on the
backside of the crown molding and either the ceiling or the
vertical wall. These pairs of angles are typically on the order of
55-degrees by 35-degrees, 52-degrees by 38-degrees, or 45-degrees
by 45-degrees. As such, extremely precise cutting and positioning
of the molding needs to be made in order to achieve an installation
that looks clean and professional.
[0006] In typical crown molding parlance, the wall surface behind
the molding is referred to the rise and the ceiling surface behind
the molding is referred to the run. With reference to FIG. 11
(prior art), a cross-sectional view of a piece of crown molding
abutting the wall and ceiling surfaces is shown. Wall surface 1110
is the rise and ceiling surface 1112 is the run. Surface 1120 is
the decorative surface of the molding and surface 1122 is the
rear-facing, non-visible surface of the molding. Two edge surfaces
1124, 1126 sit flush on the ceiling and wall, respectively. Nails
1140 are driven into the wall and ceiling as necessary to fit the
molding in place.
[0007] With this background, the process of applying crown molding
requires positioning the crown molding so that one edge surface
1126 sits flush on a vertical wall and another edge surface 1124
sits flush on the ceiling. As such, the crown molding spans and
covers the seam 1130 between the vertical wall and the ceiling.
Because wall and ceiling structures in most homes are uneven in
that the surfaces of a vertical wall and ceiling do not create a
90-degree angle, the problems associated with installation of crown
moldings are exacerbated. Moreover, room corners, where two
vertical walls meet a ceiling, require complex "compound miter"
cuts requiring both a bevel cut and a miter cut, or difficult to
apply coping cuts. In order to carry out such cutting, a great deal
of experience and expensive and complicated tools such as compound
miter saws, coping saws, or air-driven or battery powered finish
nailers are needed in order to effectively install the crown
molding. These conditions make the prospect of installing crown
molding both daunting and expensive for an average homeowner
requiring expertise that most "do-it-yourself" homeowners do not
possess. Therefore, there is a need for a crown molding system, and
process of applying such crown molding, that allows a user to
relatively easily apply crown molding without having a great deal
of woodworking experience, or without requiring the use of
expensive or complicated tools.
[0008] Additionally, in traditional crown molding systems, the
crown molding is attached using nails, screws, glue, or other
attachment means designed to permanently attach the crown molding
to the wall and ceiling surfaces. With the increase of wired
technologies permeating the home environment, such as wiring for
home theaters and wired Ethernet networks, there is an increased
need for minimally invasive wiring options that eliminate or reduce
the need for in-wall wiring. Because traditional crown molding is
permanently mounted, opportunities for wiring in the space behind
crown molding are generally limited to pre-installation wiring.
Because media, theater, or network components, for example, may be
added or deleted by choice or as new products become available,
there is a desire and need for removable crown moldings that permit
post-installation wiring options. The various embodiments of the
present invention satisfy the foregoing, as well as other
needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, a decorative
molding system and method of installation includes a pair of
removably engagable molding components. Specifically, a base piece
includes a run member hingeably connected to a rise member, such
that an approximately 90-degree angle can be created between the
run and rise members. Each of the run and rise members include an
engagement hook at their respective ends. The base piece is mounted
to vertical wall and ceiling surfaces by attaching the run member
to the ceiling and the rise member to the wall, such that the hinge
portion connecting the run and rise members sits approximately in
the intersection between the vertical wall and ceiling. A molding
piece having a decorative surface generally of a profile known in
the art for crown moldings includes upper and lower engagement
surfaces. Each of the upper and lower engagement surfaces includes
a protrusion for engagement with the engagement hooks on the base
piece. In this way, the molding piece can be removably engaged to
the base piece to give an appearance similar to traditional crown
molding, but with an ease of installation unavailable with
traditional crown molding.
[0010] In this embodiment, the base piece and crown piece are
removably engagable to each other and can be flush mounted to the
ceiling. In another embodiment, the system is adapted to provide
mounting that is not flush with the ceiling for decorative and
visual effect, and possibly to be combined with a secondary visual
element. In this embodiment, the hinge connecting the run and rise
members is designed such that its rotation about an axis passing
through the hinge will not rotate substantially past a point
creating an angle smaller than approximately 90-degrees between the
run and rise members. As such, the base piece can be fixed to a
vertical wall via the rise member without attachment of the run
member such that the molding can be attached to provide a space
between the ceiling and top of the molding. The base piece may
further include vents or a channel in the surface of the run member
enabling the routing of accent lighting.
[0011] In yet another embodiment, either or both of the base and
crown pieces can be provided in a form, such as but not limited to
a roll, that enables a user of the system to cut the respective
pieces required for a specific length to avoid splicing together
separate pieces to cover a given wall space. In this embodiment,
the system may be extruded or formed using plastic so that it can
be coiled or rolled during the forming process. Therefore, the user
is not limited to any specific length or span and the need for
"splicing" two spans together is rendered obsolete. The base piece
of the system may be mounted to a wall or ceiling surface using any
of a number of fasteners, including but not limited to nails,
screws, adhesives, adhesive tapes, and the like. The base piece may
also include at one or more secondary hingeable portions disposed
on either or both of the run and rise members to facilitate bending
of the base piece to conform to the contour of the juncture of a
wall and ceiling thereby improving installation on walls and
ceilings that may be out of square.
[0012] Additionally, in some embodiments, the crown molding systems
are significantly lighter as a result of the thickness of the crown
profile and the materials from which the molding pieces are formed.
Furthermore, in accordance with at least one embodiment, the system
requires only a standard utility knife and fastener. Specifically,
the ends of the crown piece can be mitered using a utility knife to
form the corners.
[0013] Crown molding is manufactured in many different styles,
shapes and dimensions; while a standard style is illustrated
herein, and those skilled in the art will recognize the present
invention applies to crown moldings of all conceivable styles,
shapes and dimensions (whether milled from wood, extruded from
plastic materials or molded from plastic materials). The materials
used in its manufacturing can range from wood, plastic, fiberglass,
clay, plaster and any others known to those having skill in the
art.
[0014] Additional features and advantages of the present invention
are described further below. This summary section is meant merely
to illustrate certain features of the embodiments of the
inventions, and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention in
any way. The failure to disclose a specific feature or embodiment
of the invention, or the inclusion of one or more features in this
summary section, should not be construed to limit the invention as
claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] A further understanding of the present invention can be
obtained by reference to the embodiments set forth in the
illustrations of the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not
intended to limit the scope of this invention but merely to clarify
and be illustrative of embodiments of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 1 depicts a device in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 depicts a crown piece in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2A depicts an extruded profile view of the crown piece
shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 depicts a base piece in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 3A depicts an extruded profile view of the base piece
shown in FIG. 3 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 4 depicts a base piece of FIG. 3 in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 depicts a system in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 6 depicts a system in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0024] FIGS. 6A and 6B depict expanded side views of a base piece
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 6C depicts an expanded view of a hinge on a base piece
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 7 depicts a corner piece in accordance with an
embodiment an embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 8 depicts a corner pieces in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 8A depicts a side view of the corner piece of FIG.
8;
[0029] FIG. 9 depicts a connector piece in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 10 depicts a system in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0031] FIG. 11 depicts a prior art crown molding arrangement.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS
[0032] The present invention generally relates to a decorative
molding system and a process of installing such a system, along
with certain secondary decorative or functional items. In the
following description, for purposes of explanation, specific
numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be
apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the
invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some
instances, well-known features may be omitted or simplified so as
not to obscure the present invention.
[0033] Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be
discussed with reference to the aforementioned figures, wherein
like reference numerals refer to like components. It should be
noted that reference in the specification to phrases such as "one
embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature,
structure or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention.
The appearances of phrases such as "in one embodiment" in various
places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to
the same embodiment.
[0034] Now referring to FIGS. 1-10, in accordance with various
embodiments of the present invention, a crown molding system 2
includes at least a crown piece 10 and base piece 20. Crown piece
10 preferably has a decorative profile (as shown at least in FIG.
1). Crown piece 10 generally includes bottom and top attachment
devices 12 and 14, respectively, base facing surface 16 and front
surface 18. Base piece 20 includes bottom and top attachment
devices 26 and 28 for engagement to attachment to devices 12 and
14. Base piece 20 may comprise a fixed L-shape adapted to fit the
contour of a ceiling-wall juncture, or may be provided with a
hingeable portion 22 and/or 24 for adapting a flat base piece 20 to
conform to such a contour. Hingeable portions 22 or 24 may be
formed in any way known to those having skill in the art, such as
but not including by a score line formed in a plastic or resin
sheet that facilitates bending of the sheet at the score line, or
weakening the portion of the base piece 20 to be hinged. In an
embodiment, the hinge can be oriented such that open wedge portion
of the hinge is in a ceiling facing position, as opposed to the
orientation of hinge 22. In another embodiment, where the material
of the base piece is a harder material, such as wood, base piece 20
can comprise two separate pieces, one for contacting a wall and the
other for contacting a ceiling, joined by a hinge. In an embodiment
in which the system is engineered from PVC plastics, the system is
adapted to be coiled or rolled during the extrusion process. In
such embodiments, user is not limited to any specific length or
span and the need for "splicing" two spans together is obsolete, as
further described below.
[0035] FIGS. 2A and 3A show an extruded profile view of the crown
piece 10 and base piece 20 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively. As
can be seen in FIG. 2A, a crown piece contains bottom attachment
device 12 which connects to attachment device 22 of base piece 20
and top attachment device 14 which connects to attachment device 26
of base piece 20. Attachment devices 12 and 14 can comprise a bead
for engaging attachment devices 26 and 28 of base piece 20, which
comprise hooks or sockets, forming a pressure fit ball and socket
type engagement. The opposite arrangement (not shown) can also be
employed wherein sockets 26 and 28 are formed on molding piece 10
and beads 12 and 14 are formed on base piece 20. Other attachment
embodiments for the present invention include tab-slot arrangements
and any other suitable attachment arrangement known to those having
skill in the art. In an embodiment of the present invention, beads
12 and 14 are releasably attachable to sockets 26 and 28.
[0036] As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, base piece 20 is adapted to
be fastened flush to a wall and either flush mounted to a ceiling
or positioned below and away from the ceiling surface. In an
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, back portion 21 of base piece 20
includes hinge 22. As further shown in the expanded view of FIG.
6A, hinge 22 is preferably formed as a generally triangular slot in
face 23 of base piece 20. The slot includes faces 22a and 22b,
which are preferably separated when base piece 20 is laid open, as
shown in FIG. 6A, by an angle of approximately 90-degrees. As such,
when base piece 20 is rotated to be positioned on a wall surface,
faces 22a and 22b are each rotated approximately 45-degrees such
they contact one another preventing the angle between the rise and
run of base piece 20 from rotating to an angle more acute than
approximately 90-degrees, as shown in FIG. 6B. This feature
advantageously provides additional support to base piece 20 when
being mounted in a position that is not flush with a ceiling.
[0037] It should be understood that although a triangular profile
for the slot of hinge 22 is preferred, other profiles may be used
consistent with present invention. It should also be recognized
that devices and systems in accordance with the present invention
may be employed in homes, offices, restaurants and the like
wherever it is desirable to have crown molding. The present
inventions may be employed with hard fixed ceiling structures, with
standard drop ceilings, or placed partially up a wall not abutment
with a ceiling for decorative purposes.
[0038] With reference back to FIG. 6, the system of the present
invention may also include lighting disposed between the portion
21a of base piece 20 and a ceiling. Lighting may comprise rope
lighting, fluorescent light fixtures or other light fixtures (not
limited to fluorescent) of any color, as well as decorative
lighting, which may include colors or effects for ornamentation
purposes. It should be appreciated that because the system is
comprised of a base piece which is fastened to a wall, and a crown
piece which is in turn secured to the base piece, the crown piece
is preferably adapted to be removable, allowing a user the option
to use the combination of the base piece and crown piece as a
non-combustible housing or conduit for various wires (i.e.
electrical, telephone, speaker, cable/satellite etc.). While the
figures depict a "two" piece "system," with regard to the base and
crown pieces, additional decorative pieces as desired by the user
to can be installed onto the crown piece to enhance the look of the
molding once assembled.
[0039] In an alternate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6C, the run 620
of base piece 20 may include one or more openings 630 such that
lighting can be routed in the space formed between the base piece
20 and crown piece 10, as opposed to being positioned above run
620, as shown in FIG. 6. Openings 630 are preferably of sufficient
size and number as to allow an even distribution of light to
emanate out of the top of the base piece. Openings are preferably
generally oval in shape and sized so as to retain the structural
rigidity of the run of base piece 20. How large openings 630 may be
made relative to the width of run 620 is dependent in large part of
the material used to form base piece 20. Alternatively, openings
630 may be covered by a light diffuser including a plurality of
light reflecting facets, such as the plastic material commonly
found on fluorescent light housings. In addition, base piece 20 may
be formed from a translucent material so as to avoid the need for
openings.
[0040] Illustrative materials from which the pieces of the system
may be made include but are not limited to acrylic, polymer,
plastic, wood, metal, rubber and composite materials similar to
what is employed for example in TREX.TM. decking material. In a
preferred embodiment, materials employed for the crown 10 and base
20 pieces are PVC. In an embodiment, additives such as but not
limited to pigments, dyes, "sparkling" elements, iridescent
elements and the like may be added to the material employed as is
well known to those having skill in the art in the fabrication of
the devices in accordance with the present invention for ornamental
effect. The additives may be added to provide patterns, such as but
not limited to faux marble patterns. The devices in accordance with
the invention can be provided with varying degrees of translucency.
In other embodiments, devices can be provided with matte or
textured surfaces to enhance the three dimensional appeal of the
device.
[0041] Illustrative fasteners include but are not limited to
staples, screws, nails, adhesives, adhesive tapes such as but not
limited to double-sided adhesive tapes and other fasteners suited
for fastening decorative materials to walls as are well known to
those having skill in the art.
[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, base piece 20 is
provided in a roll of a desired length; preferably of sufficient
length to mount molding on the walls of a room in single lengths.
As shown in FIG. 5, base piece 20 is bent along hinge 22 to
approximately 90-degrees to fit the space between a ceiling and
wall in a flush mount application. Base piece 20 is then fastened
onto a wall using fasteners 27 which can include staples, nails,
screws, adhesive, adhesive tape or the like. Crown piece 10 may
likewise be provided in roll form extruded from plastic and cut to
a desired length. It is preferable to cut the crown piece 10 to
substantially the same length as base piece 20, and more preferable
to a length substantially the same as the length of the wall being
covered. However, skilled artisans will recognize there may be some
applications wherein the respective lengths of the crown 10 and
base 20 pieces are not identical. Crown piece 10 may then be
attached to the base piece using the attachment devices 12, 14, 26
and 28, the ends of the crown piece 10 may be mitered using a
utility knife to form the corners.
[0043] The installation process of installing crown molding using
corner pieces 700, according to an embodiment of the present
invention, will now be discussed in more detail. When installing
the crown molding whether flush to the ceiling or below the
ceiling, an inside corner piece 700, as shown in FIG. 7, and
outside corner piece 800, as shown in FIG. 8, can be used to avoid
the need to miter the ends of crown piece 10.
[0044] With reference to FIG. 7, inside corner piece 700 includes a
main body 710 with a pair of tabs 702 extending therefrom. Main
body 710 of inside corner piece 700 preferably includes a pair of
wall surfaces 712 and 714 positioned substantially perpendicular to
one another and designed to fit into a corner between two abutting
wall surfaces. Main body 710 also preferably includes, a pair of
side walls 716, 718 that each extend substantially perpendicularly
from a respective one of the wall surfaces 712, 714. Side walls
716, 718 are joined at corner 720. In the embodiment shown in FIG.
7, side walls 716 and 718 slope gradually upward from the bottom
walls 712, 714, respectively, such that the side profile of the
side walls 716, 718 generally match the side profile of a molding
piece (not shown in FIG. 7). Decorative surface 730 is also
preferably designed to match the look of the decorative surface of
a molding piece.
[0045] With reference to FIG. 8, outside corner piece 800 includes
a main body 810 with a pair of tabs 802 extending therefrom. Main
body 810 of inside corner piece 800 preferably includes a pair of
wall surfaces 812 and 814 positioned substantially perpendicular to
one another and meeting at spine 815. Wall surfaces 812 and 814 are
designed to fit into a corner between two abutting wall surfaces.
Main body 810 also preferably includes a pair of side walls 816,
818 that each extend substantially perpendicularly from a
respective one of the wall surfaces 812, 814. Decorative surface
830 is also preferably designed to match the look of the decorative
surface of a molding piece. FIG. 8A depicts a side view of outside
corner piece 800 showing a preferred embodiment of wall surface
812
[0046] With reference to FIG. 9, connector piece 900 includes a
main body 910 with a pair of tabs 902 extending therefrom. Main
body 910 of connector piece 900 preferably includes a pair of side
wall surfaces 912 and 914 positioned substantially parallel to one
another and connected to an adjoining wall surface 913. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 9, side walls 912 and 914 slope gradually
upward from the wall surface 913, such that the side profile of the
side walls 712, 714 generally match the side profile of a molding
piece (not shown in FIG. 9). Decorative surface 930, which
preferable spans the outer edge of side walls 712, 714 is also
preferably designed to match the look of the decorative surface of
a molding piece.
[0047] The corner pieces are installed in the corners of the room
where the corner piece can connect to the base piece 20 when
installed on the wall. Each of the corner pieces preferably has a
pair of flat tabs 702 and 802, respectively, that extend over base
piece 20 when properly installed. Each of the corner pieces may
then be secured to the corner of the room where the two walls meet,
by either screwing, stapling, nailing or gluing the corner piece
into the wall, or using any other known attachment means to attach
the corner piece to the wall.
[0048] In order to properly install the crown molding, an installer
measures the distance between the two corners in the room and cuts
a base piece 20 as shown in FIG. 4 to the desired length. Next, the
base piece 20 is crimped along its hinge (as shown in FIG. 3) to be
slid into the corner created between the ceiling and the wall. The
base piece need not be bent to a full ninety-degree angle, and a
more obtuse angle, such as 110-degrees may be sufficient, although
the dimensions of the location being where the molding is being
installed can be a factor. Using the hinge 24, the base piece 20
sits tightly against the wall where it is stapled or screwed into
place using known attachment mechanisms. Once the base piece 20 has
been installed and secured, the corner pieces 702 and 802 are
secured at either end of the base piece 20. A strip of crown piece
18 is cut to match the size of length the base piece 20 between the
respective corner pieces 702, 802, and the crown piece 18 is
snapped onto the base piece 20 using attachment devices 12 and 14
which connect to attachment devices 26 and 28 respectively on the
base piece. In an embodiment of the present invention, a connector
piece 900 as shown in FIG. 9 can be installed at the end of the
molding to additionally secure the base piece 20 to the crown piece
10. FIG. 10 shows a fully installed crown molding showing the
outside corner piece, the connected crown molding including base
piece 20 and crown piece 10, the inside corner piece 700 and the
connector piece 900. In the situation where an installer wants to
install the crown molding below the ceiling mount, measurements
should first be taken below the ceiling mount to establish the
correct placing for the securing of the base piece 20 and the
corner pieces 700 and 800 (and the connector piece 900) and the
same installation process described above is used at the location
below the ceiling mount that he or she wishes to install the
molding.
[0049] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the method and
system of the present invention has many applications, may be
implemented in many manners and, as such is not to be limited by
the foregoing exemplary embodiments and examples. While the
preferred embodiments have been described and illustrated it will
be understood that changes in details and obvious variations might
be made without department from the spirit and principle of the
invention and therefore the scope of the invention is not to be
construed as limited to the preferred embodiment. In this regard,
any number of the features of the different embodiments described
herein may be combined into one single embodiment and alternate
embodiments having fewer than or more than all of the features
herein described are possible. Moreover, the scope of the present
invention covers conventionally known and features of those
variations and modifications through the system and components
described herein as would be understood by those skilled in the
art. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as
indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
[0050] It is also to be understood that the following claims are
intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the
invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the
invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall
therebetween.
* * * * *