U.S. patent application number 12/157613 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-01 for trim assembly.
Invention is credited to Randall W. Borgman, Prashanth Chandragiri, Naveen Guntur, Alex Lamfers, Robert C. Wayner.
Application Number | 20090000237 12/157613 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40158791 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090000237 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Borgman; Randall W. ; et
al. |
January 1, 2009 |
Trim assembly
Abstract
A furniture arrangement is formed of vertical panels and a
horizontal furniture panel which are joined together. The vertical
panel comprises a main panel body having the opposite vertical
edges thereof enclosed by vertical trim elements, and the
horizontal top edge enclosed by a horizontal trim element. For
decorative purposes, an additional decorative inlay is provided
adjacent and parallel to the trim elements, which inlay is formed
of a second, aesthetically different inlay material, such as
extruded aluminum or other metal. The horizontal furniture panel
may include similar trim elements which further include additional
decorative inlays.
Inventors: |
Borgman; Randall W.;
(Holland, MI) ; Guntur; Naveen; (Hyderabad,
IN) ; Lamfers; Alex; (Jenison, MI) ; Wayner;
Robert C.; (Holland, MI) ; Chandragiri;
Prashanth; (Hyderabad, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FLYNN, THIEL, BOUTELL & TANIS, P.C.
2026 RAMBLING ROAD
KALAMAZOO
MI
49008-1631
US
|
Family ID: |
40158791 |
Appl. No.: |
12/157613 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60934147 |
Jun 11, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/716.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 96/201 20130101;
A47B 95/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/716.1 |
International
Class: |
E04C 2/38 20060101
E04C002/38 |
Claims
1. A furniture arrangement comprising: a furniture panel having an
interior core and opposite side surfaces which have a finished
appearance, and wide end edges with an unfinished appearance, said
end edges of said core having a mounting channel and a retainer
formation therein; a trim assembly mountable to said end edges to
define a finished appearance to said end edges, said trim assembly
comprising a base and a finished trim facing supported on said
base, said trim facing having a trim surface defining a finished
appearance, said base having a connector formation configured to
mate with and removably engage said retainer formation to cover
said end edge.
2. The furniture arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said
retainer formation is a snap-fit retainer.
3. The furniture arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said
base and said mounting channel have opposing side surfaces which
fit closely together to locate said trim assembly sidewardly
relative to said furniture panel, and clearance spaces being
provided between opposed end faces of said base and said mounting
channel to permit tight drawing of said trim assembly to said end
edge by said cooperating retainer formation and connector
formation.
4. The furniture arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said
base and said mounting channel are formed of a machinable material
and have shaped profiles which closely match.
5. The furniture arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said
base and said core are formed of a machinable material that is
machined to form said profiles.
6. The furniture arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said
machinable material is a wood material for at least one of base and
said core.
7. The furniture arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said
base and said end edge define sideward opening channels
therebetween which receive an elongate decorative insert
therein.
8. The furniture arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said
base and said mounting channel have opposing side surfaces which
fit closely together to locate said trim assembly sidewardly
relative to said furniture panel, and clearance spaces being
provided between opposed end faces of said base and said mounting
channel to permit tight drawing of said trim assembly to said end
edge by said cooperating retainer formation and connector formation
such that said insert is sandwiched between said trim facing and
said side surfaces of said furniture panel.
9. A furniture arrangement comprising: a furniture panel having an
interior core and opposite side surfaces which have a finished
appearance, and wide end edges with an unfinished appearance, said
end edges of said core having a mounting channel and a retainer
formation therein, said mounting channel a channel profile defining
side surfaces having a channel dimension defined therebetween; a
trim assembly mountable to said end edges to define a finished
appearance to said end edges, said trim assembly comprising a base
and a finished trim facing supported on said base, said trim facing
having a trim surface defining a finished appearance, said base
having a connector formation configured to mate with and removably
engage said retainer formation to cover said end edge by drawing
said trim assembly downwardly into said mounting channel, said base
having a base profile corresponding to said channel profile wherein
said base profile has side surfaces which define a base dimension
closely proximate said channel dimension to tightly locate said
trim assembly at a fixed position relative to said furniture
panel.
10. The furniture arrangement according to claim 9, wherein said
base and said mounting channel have opposing end surfaces which
define clearance spaces between opposed end faces of said base and
said mounting channel to permit tight drawing of said trim assembly
to said end edge by said cooperating retainer formation and
connector formation.
11. The furniture arrangement according to claim 9, wherein said
base and said mounting channel are formed of a machinable material
and have shaped profiles which closely match.
12. The furniture arrangement according to claim 11, wherein said
base and said core are formed of a machinable material that is
machined to form said profiles.
13. The furniture arrangement according to claim 12, wherein said
machinable material is a wood material for at least one of base and
said core.
14. The furniture arrangement according to claim 9, wherein said
base and said end edge define sideward opening channels
therebetween which receive an elongate decorative insert
therein.
15. The furniture arrangement according to claim 14, wherein said
base and said mounting channel have opposing side surfaces which
fit closely together to locate said trim assembly sidewardly
relative to said furniture panel, and clearance spaces being
provided between opposed end faces of said base and said mounting
channel to permit tight drawing of said trim assembly to said end
edge by said cooperating retainer formation and connector formation
such that said insert is sandwiched between said trim facing and
said side surfaces of said furniture panel.
16. A furniture arrangement comprising: a furniture panel having an
interior core and opposite side surfaces which have a finished
appearance, and wide end edges with an unfinished appearance, said
end edges of said core having a mounting channel and a retainer
formation therein; a trim assembly mountable to said end edges to
define a finished appearance to said end edges, said trim assembly
comprising a base and a finished trim facing supported on said
base, said trim facing having a trim surface defining a finished
appearance, said base having a connector formation configured to
mate with and removably engage said retainer formation to cover
said end edge, said base and said end edge defining sideward
opening insert channels therebetween which receive an elongate
decorative insert sidewardly therein, such that said insert is
sandwiched between said trim facing and said side surfaces of said
furniture panel.
17. The furniture arrangement according to claim 14, wherein said
base and said mounting channel have interior end faces which define
clearance spaces between said base and said mounting channel to
permit tight drawing of said trim assembly to said end edge by said
cooperating retainer formation and connector formation.
18. The furniture arrangement according to claim 16, wherein said
insert channels have opposite channel walls defined by said trim
assembly on one side and said core on the other side.
19. The furniture arrangement according to claim 18, wherein said
one channel wall is defined by an interior face of said trim
facing.
20. The furniture arrangement according to claim 19, wherein a
resilient retainer is seated in said insert channel and said insert
is inserted in said insert channel so as to be grippingly retained
therein by said resilient retainer.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/934,147, filed Jun. 11, 2007, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a trim assembly for finishing the
end faces of a furniture panel so that the furniture panel has an
edgewise-extending trim facing formed of a first material such as
solid wood or a substrate finished with a veneer, and has a
decorative trim inlay having a thin profile extending along the
edge of the trim facing which is formed of a second material, such
as metal, so as to define a contrasting decorative appearance
adjacent the trim facing and the finished faces of the furniture
panel adjacent thereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Various cabinet constructions have been provided which have
many different finish surfaces applied thereto. A cabinet
construction is known having a relatively thick cabinet wall having
edge surfaces having finished faces and appearances which match the
major side faces of the wall.
[0004] However, when laminate is conventionally applied at a
right-angle corner, such as between a vertical major face and an
end face, typically, the thickness of one sheet of laminate is
visible and thereby results in an unsightly joint of the
right-angle corner.
[0005] The invention relates to a cabinet arrangement wherein
similar finish layers may be provided on the major faces and end
faces while any joints therebetween are hidden and made
aesthetically pleasing by an intermediate trim member. In this
regard, a trim assembly is provided for finishing the end faces of
a furniture panel so that the furniture panel has an
edgewise-extending trim facing formed of a first material such as
solid wood or a substrate finished with a veneer, and has a
decorative trim inlay having a thin profile extending along the
edge of the trim facing which is formed of a second material, such
as metal, so as to define a contrasting decorative appearance
adjacent the trim facing and the finished faces of the furniture
panel adjacent thereto.
[0006] This provides pleasing contrast, and while appearing as an
aesthetic feature, also functionally serves to hide the cut edges
of laminate on both the major faces and end face.
[0007] Other objects and purposes of the invention, and variations
thereof, will be apparent upon reading the following specification
and inspecting the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trim arrangement from an
exterior lefthand top corner of a furniture unit.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the trim arrangement from a
lefthand corner as viewed from the underside thereof of the
furniture arrangement.
[0010] FIG. 3 is an end cross sectional view illustrating the
elements of the trim assembly.
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a panel element with the trim removed and
a trim retainer fastened therein.
[0012] FIG. 5 is an end cross sectional view of FIG. 3 further
illustrating the features restraining the trim element.
[0013] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a further furniture
arrangement.
[0014] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a trim element assembly.
[0015] FIG. 8A is a top view of the trim element assembly.
[0016] FIG. 8B is a side cross-sectional view along line 8A-8A of
FIG. 8A.
[0017] FIG. 8C is an end view of the trim element assembly.
[0018] FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate an alternate trim element
assembly.
[0019] FIG. 10 is an end cross-sectional view of a trim
element.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternate trim
element.
[0021] FIGS. 12A-12D illustrate the alternate trim element.
[0022] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a router configuration.
[0023] Certain terminology will be used in the following
description for convenience and reference only, and will not be
limiting. For example, the words "upwardly", "downwardly",
"rightwardly" and "leftwardly" will refer to directions in the
drawings to which reference is made. The words "inwardly" and
"outwardly" will refer to directions toward and away from,
respectively, the geometric center of the arrangement and
designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words
specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar
import.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] As seen in FIG. 1, a furniture arrangement 10, such as a
desk or enlarged shelf unit, is illustrated formed of vertical
panels 11 and a horizontal furniture panel 12 which are joined
together. A vertical panel 11 comprises a main panel body 13 having
the vertical edges thereof enclosed by trim elements 14 and 15, and
the horizontal top edge enclosed by a horizontal trim element 16.
For decorative purposes, an additional decorative inlay 17 is
provided adjacent and parallel to the trim elements 14-16, which
inlay 17 is formed of a second, aesthetically different inlay
material, such as extruded aluminum or other metal or other
suitable shaped material such as a plastic. The horizontal
furniture panel 12 also has a main panel body 18 with the opposite
horizontal edges thereof enclosed in the same manner by trim
elements 19 and 20 which further include additional decorative
inlays or inserts 21 and 22.
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates the furniture arrangement 10 in a
lefthand corner top configuration viewed from the underside. In
this view, the trim elements 14, 15 and 19 can be seen with the
trim inlays 17 and 21 extending horizontally and vertically
adjacent to these trim elements 14, 15 and 19. An additional
reinforcing cross panel 25 is illustrated as extending between the
one end base panel 11 and an opposite end base panel 11 (not
illustrated).
[0026] Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 illustrates the assembly of the
components which form the base panel 11 and the associated trim
parts. FIG. 3 illustrates the base panel 11 as viewed from the
bottom and looking up at the lower edge of the vertical trim
element 14 wherein the horizontal furniture panel 12 can also be
seen as well as the horizontal trim element 19 and the inlay 21
extending horizontally therealong. It will be understood that the
general construction of all of the trim elements 14, 15, 19 and 20
are essentially the same wherein FIG. 3 is a representative
illustration of how the trim elements mount to the associated
furniture panel 11 or 12 whether the trim element is oriented
vertically or horizontally. Further, the inlays 17 are identified
by this reference numeral in that they mount to the furniture panel
11, although it will also be understood that the inlays 21 and 22
have the same cross-sectional profile and general configuration and
mount in the same arrangement. Thus, the following discussion
specifically addresses the arrangement of FIG. 3 with it being
understood that this discussion is also applicable to the other
equivalent components.
[0027] First as to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 illustrates a furniture panel or
panel element 11 (12) with the respective trim element 14 removed
therefrom. This furniture panel 11 further includes a U-shaped trim
retainer 30 mounted longitudinally and centrally within a mounting
channel 31 formed along the edge of the furniture panel 11. The
furniture panel 11 has an interior panel core 32 which may be
formed of any suitable construction, although in the preferred
embodiment comprises a thick wood panel frame having a generally
rectangular construction defined by horizontal and vertical frame
elements. These frame elements preferably are formed of solid wood
and joined together at the corners to define a rectangular
construction. These frame elements 32 on those edges which are to
be finished are formed or profiled with the mounting channel 31 as
seen in FIG. 4 and as will be described in further detail
herein.
[0028] The furniture panel 11 further includes outer skins 33 which
are mounted to the opposite faces of the core 32 by adhesive 33B
and have a substantially uniform thickness and enclose the opposite
faces of the core 32. The skins 33 have a substrate 33A and the
outer faces of the skins 33 are each provided with a facing layer
34 that defines the aesthetic appearance of the panel 11. These
facing layers 34 may be any suitable facing material such as a
wood-finish laminate or veneer.
[0029] The finished edges of the base panel 11, as mentioned above,
have a unique profile machine therein with a single tool, such as a
router which routes this mounting channel 31 therein. In
particular, the mounting channel 31, and specifically the profile
thereof, includes a rectangularly, cross-sectioned center locator
groove 35 in which the U-shaped trim retainer 30 is seated. In
particular, the profile is CNC machined with a single tool and is
centered on the furniture panel 11 with the groove 35 being formed
in the bottom of the profile to help position the retainer 30
centrally therein.
[0030] As to this profile, on opposite sides of the central groove
35, are formed bottom flats 36 which transition at radius corners
37 into vertical side walls 38, which side walls 38 in turn
transition at an outside radius 39 into intermediate flats 40. The
intermediate flats 40 then transition by inside corners 41 into
upper side walls 42. The upper side walls 42 terminate at sharp
corners and define end faces 43.
[0031] As to the trim retainer 30, such trim retainer 30 is formed
of U-shaped plastic that is resiliently deflectable. The retainer
30 is defined by a bottom retainer wall 45 that is fastened or
stitched directly to the panel core 32 by suitable fasteners 30A
such as staples. The bottom retainer wall 45 supports two
upstanding retainer legs 46 which project upwardly in cantilevered
relation and are resiliently deflectable. The upper edges of the
retainer legs 46 have ribs extending horizontally and projecting
outwardly. Each rib 47 is defined by an inclined cam face 48 that
faces upwardly out of the channel 31, and an opposed inward facing
ledge 49 which is configured to removably engage the trim element
14 and prevent its inadvertent removal therefrom.
[0032] As to the radiuses formed in the illustrated profile, such
radiuses eliminate stress risers and give strength to the wood
material of the furniture panel 11. Further, the use of wood for
the furniture panel 11 allows for the formation of tighter
tolerances by use of a router for CNC machining of the profile.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 3, the trim element 14 as well as the
other trim elements illustrated herein comprise a trim base 50
which is profiled so as to fit within the mounting channel 31 and
has a top surface 51 which supports a flat, thin, trim facing 52
thereon. This trim facing 52 can be a textured ABS plastic, a solid
species wood, reconstituted veneer stick or thin veneer wrapped
material. This trim facing 52 defines the finished appearance of
the trim element 14. In many cases it may be preferred that this
material be selected so as to match the exterior face material 34
on the furniture panel 11.
[0034] The trim base 50 is fixably secured along its entire length
to this trim facing 52 so as to define a combined assembly that is
permanently affixed together. Preferably, the trim base 50 is
formed of finger-jointed poplar that is machined to the specific
profile illustrated for precise seating within the mounting channel
31. The trim base 50 is configured to snap fittingly engage with
the trim retainer 30 for fixed securement of the trim element 14 to
the furniture panel 11. This retainer 30 defines the grip strength
for gripping of the trim element 14, and specifically, gripping of
the trim base 50. The grip strength can be defined by the overall
longitudinal length of the trim retainer 30 as well as the overall
thickness of the retainer material which would define the overall
resistance to resilient deflection of the retainer legs 46 when
becoming engaged with the trim base 50.
[0035] It is noted that the joining of the trim base 50 to the trim
facing 52 defines an inlay mounting channel 55 which opens
sidewardly and is configured to support the trim inlays 17 or 21
therein. Notably, the trim inlays are formed of aluminum and can be
finished with many different finish options such as polished,
anodized, painted and the like. To secure the trim inlay 17 in the
inlay channel 55, trim inlay retainers 56 are fitted onto the inlay
17 and then elastomerically grip the inlay channel 55 when inserted
therein. Preferably, the trim inlay retainers 56 are formed of a
HIP's plastic extrusion.
[0036] The "ball" profile of the end of the inlay retainer 56 helps
to hold the retainer on the inlay 17 prior to installation into the
removable trim element 14. It also helps to prevent the inlay 17
from easy removal from the channel 55 or possibly falling out
therefrom.
[0037] It is noted that the trim inlay 17 is designed to be an
optional element, and the profile tooling for the trim and
specifically the trim base 50 could be designed so as to not cut
the groove 55 therein for the inlay 17 and inlay retainer 56 when
such elements are optioned out of the final furniture order.
[0038] Retention of the inlays 17, and the installation and removal
forces thereof are controlled by the overall length of each inlay
retainer 56 and the number of inlay retainer pieces 56 used along a
given lineal length piece of trim element 14.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 10, the specific construction of a
representative trim element 14 is illustrated therein in cross
section. It is noted that the trim element 14 generally is
symmetrical about its center line. It comprises the trim facing 52
and the trim base 50 which is affixed thereto so as to project
inwardly or downwardly therefrom. The trim facing 52 is defined by
an exposed outer surface 60 and a bottom interior surface 61.
[0040] As to the trim base 50, this trim base is formed of a main
body portion 62 which is affixed to the bottom-facing surface 61.
The main body 62 is formed of a profile which substantially matches
the profile of the mounting channel 31.
[0041] More particularly, this profile is defined by a center
bottom channel 63 which opens interiorally and has inwardly
projecting ribs 64 formed along the mouth of the channel 63. These
ribs 64 have a rounded profile defined by the radiused corners 65
that in turn define a width 66 of the channel mouth. These corners
65 then turn outwardly to define bottom base faces 67, which bottom
faces 67 turn at radiused corners 68 to define lower base side
walls 69. The spacing or width defined between the side walls 69 is
indicated by dimension 70 and closely conforms to the sideward
width defined between the channel side walls 38 of the mounting
channel 31. Dimension 70 should have a very close conformance to
and tolerance with respect to the spacing between the channel side
walls 38. The lower base side walls 69 then turn at radiused inside
corners 71 to define bottom intermediate faces 72 that extend
outwardly and turn at corners 73 as to extend upwardly at an angle
74 and terminate at upper base side walls 75. These upper side
walls 75 have a spacing 76 therebetween that closely conforms to
the lateral width between the channel side walls 42. Further, it is
noted that the radiused corners 68, 71 and 73 are in close
conformance in their profile as to the groove corners 37, 39 and 41
although not in contact therewith.
[0042] At the upper side faces 75 of the trim body 50, a sharp
corner is provided so as to define an inwardly extending body face
77 that defines one side face of the inlay mounting channel 55. In
effect, the inlay mounting channel 55 is defined between the body
face 77 and the opposing interior face 61 of the trim element
facing 62. Notably, the inner ends of the grooves 55 terminate at
groove bottoms 78 that define a lateral width 79 therebetween.
Further, the trim facing 52 projects outwardly beyond the body side
faces 75 to define a lateral facing width 80 which is greater than
the dimension 76 of the trim body 50.
[0043] These overall dimensions of FIG. 10, as further described
with respect to FIG. 5, tightly and precisely position each trim
element 14 relative to the respective furniture panel 11 or 12 when
mounted thereto. In particular, the trim body 50 is adapted to fit
in tight confinement with the mounting channel 31. In this regard,
body side faces 69 laterally or centrally position the trim element
14 relative to the furniture panel 11. As such, the lateral or
side-to-side (left to right) movement of the trim element 14 (FIG.
4) is controlled or governed by these matched profiles and their
tightly controlled tolerances as illustrated in the above in the
pictorial of FIG. 5 and described herein.
[0044] Trim retention is vertically controlled by the contoured
cam/spring surfaces of the trim base 50 and the trim retainer 30.
More particularly, the retainer legs 46 and their connector ribs 47
are pressed inwardly as the retainer 30 moves into the channel
mouth of the base channel 63 wherein the corners 65 press against
the cam surfaces 47 which bias the retainer legs 46 inwardly. As
the ribs 47 move past corresponding ribs 64, the retainer leg 46
returns to an original position in gripping engagement with the
body ribs 64. Thus, the edges 49 abut against the radiused corners
64A to draw or pull the trim body 50 downwardly into the channel
31. The natural tendency is that an applied force generated thereby
draws the trim element 14 tightly against the furniture panel
11.
[0045] Hence, the inlay 17 and the inlay retainer 56 fixedly secure
the inlay 17 within the channel 55, and the inlay 17 is then drawn
downwardly in tight engagement against the face 43, which downward
force maintains a tight reveal between the trim face/trim
inlay/panel element interfaces. Trim retention/removal forces of
the removable trim element 14 to and from the panel are controlled
by the lineal length of the trim retainer 30 used relative to the
length of trim that is needed.
[0046] So that the trim retainer 30 dictates the engagement force
and the downward or inward drawing force of the trim element 14
against the furniture element, clearance spaces 81 and 82 formed
between the opposing faces 67/36, 72/40, and 73/41. As such, these
opposed faces do not bottom out or contact each other during
engagement of the trim element 14, but instead, the trim retainer
30 draws the trim element 14 downwardly until the inlay 17 bottom
outs or directly contacts the panel faces 43.
[0047] This further allows for the free/uninhibited movement
(expansion/contraction) of the aluminum inlay material in response
to fluctuating ambient temperatures. As such, the inlay material
may expand or contract at a different rate relative to the material
of the remaining components, which expansion/contraction is readily
accommodated as the spring retainer 30 either pulls the trim
element 14 farther downwardly into the channel 31 or allows for
outward movement of the trim element 14.
[0048] There may be additional differences in manufacturing
tolerances between the trim facing 52 and the trim panel 11 such
that the trim width 80 may vary from the overall lateral width or
thickness of the furniture panel 11. As such, the inlay 17 is
designed to project slightly outwardly from the interface between
these components so that the face 84 of the inlay 17 is slightly
proud of the trim faces 83 and the panel faces 34. Since the inlay
face 84 is slightly proud, this helps reduce tactile recognition of
dimensional differences between the trim face width 80 and the
panel thickness variations of the trim panel 11.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 6, an exploded view of the furniture
system 10 illustrates the trim panels 11 and 12 and the bottom
panel 25 which are joined together by various corner brackets 90
and sideward connector pins 91.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 7, trim element assembly 92 is illustrated
as comprising the trim element 14, the inlays 17 and the trim inlay
retainers 56. As can be seen, the trim element 14 comprises the
trim base 50 and the trim facing 52 mounted to the top thereof.
These define the grooves 55 which extend along the entire
longitudinal length thereof and are configured to receive the
inlays 17 therein.
[0051] In particular, the inlays 17 are defined by an enlarged
outer section 93 and a thinner connector flange 94 that is
relatively thin relative to the outer section 93 and also has a
vertical offset as seen in FIG. 3.
[0052] The connector flange 94 is adapted to mount thereto a
plurality of the inlay retainers 56 which have a resiliently
deflectable U-shape and frictionally fit over and engage the
elongate side edge of the flange 94. As to the trim facing 52
illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8C, trim facing 52 is formed with one
alternate profile wherein one edge 52A is flat along the length
thereof while the opposite edge 52B has a radiused corner to vary
the aesthetic appearance thereof.
[0053] As to FIGS. 9A-9D, the trim assembly 14 comprises part of a
trim element assembly 92 having one form wherein edge 52A is
radiused along its entire length while the opposite edge 52B is
radiused along a substantial portion except for an end section 52C
which is formed flat. This allows for smooth surfaces when edge
section 52C abuts against the terminal end face of an adjacent trim
element 14 such as at the upper corner illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0054] FIGS. 11 and 12A-12D illustrate an alternate trim element
assembly 92 wherein two flat sections 52C are formed therein so
that the trim facing 52 could be positioned in a T-shape between
two perpendicularly-oriented trim elements 14.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 13, 13 diagrammatically illustrates a
machining tool such as a router bit 100 having a drive shank 101
and a head 102 that has a circumferential profile that defines the
specific profile of the mounting channel 31 in the furniture panel
11.
[0056] Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention
have been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be
recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed
apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the
scope of the present invention.
* * * * *