U.S. patent application number 12/224763 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-23 for architrave support and architrave relating thereto.
Invention is credited to Patrick Sweeney.
Application Number | 20090100770 12/224763 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36241244 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090100770 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sweeney; Patrick |
April 23, 2009 |
Architrave Support and Architrave Relating Thereto
Abstract
An architrave support for supporting one or more sections
comprises a plurality of planar portions and preferably a base
support which together form a preferably self supporting arch-like
shaped architrave support. Each planar portion has a pair of
opposite oblique ends abutting another said planar portion or the
base support. The plurality of planar portions are in series,
preferably mitred, at their oblique ends to form the arch-like
shaped architrave support. The support may be preformed or in a
kit, either together with or separately to corresponding architrave
portions for attachment thereto to form an architrave. The support
is useful for forming architrave arches above doorways or
windows.
Inventors: |
Sweeney; Patrick;
(Walthamstow, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Family ID: |
36241244 |
Appl. No.: |
12/224763 |
Filed: |
March 8, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
March 8, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2007/000820 |
371 Date: |
November 13, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/89 ; 52/575;
52/745.07 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04G 21/1866 20130101;
E04G 21/1841 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/89 ;
52/745.07; 52/575 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/32 20060101
E04B001/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 8, 2006 |
GB |
0604711.2 |
Claims
1. An architrave support for supporting one or more sections, the
support comprising a plurality of planar portions, each planar
portion having at least one oblique end abutting another said
planar portion, the plurality of planar portions being in series
end to end to form an arch.
2. The support of claim 1 wherein each oblique end abuts a
corresponding end of said other said planar portion, the plurality
of planar portions being connected in series by the abutted ends to
form a self supporting arch.
3. The support of claim 2 wherein each abutting end comprises a
connection portion, each connection portion being mutually
engagable with a corresponding connection portion of the planar
portion against which it abuts thereby to render the arch self
supporting.
4. The support of claim 3 wherein each connection portion is
configured for forming a mitre joint with the corresponding
connection portion thereby to render the arch self supporting.
5. The support of claim 2 wherein each abutting end is fixable by
adhesive to the planar portion against which it abuts thereby to
render the arch self supporting.
6. The support of claim 1 wherein the planar portions are equal in
size and shape.
7. The support of claim 1 comprising a base support for supporting
ends of the architrave support.
8. The support of claim 1 comprising six to fourteen planar
portions.
9. The support of claim 1 comprising nine to eleven planar
portions.
10. The support of claim 1 comprising ten planar portions.
11. The support of claim 1 wherein the at least one oblique end is
formed at an angle normal to the plane of the planar portions of
8.degree. to 15.degree..
12. The support of claim 1 wherein the at least one oblique end is
formed at an angle normal to the plane of the planar portions of
9.degree..
13. The support of claim 1 wherein the ends of respective planar
portions are mitred end to end to form the arch.
14. The support of claim 1 wherein the oblique ends of respective
planar portions are joined end to end by glue or other fastening
means to form the arch.
15. The support of claim 1 comprising a plurality of linear said
sections each attached to an architrave end of a respective said
planar portion, the architrave end being adjacent the at least one
oblique end.
16. The support of claim 1 wherein each said section comprises an
architrave face adjacent the at least one oblique end, and the
support comprises a plurality of linear said sections attached to
the architrave faces of one or more of the planar portions.
17. The support of claim 1 wherein each planar portion comprises
two oblique opposite ends.
18. The support of claim 1 wherein the planar portions are
wooden.
19. The support of claim 1 being a load-bearing support.
20. An architrave comprising the architrave support of claim 1 and
a plurality of linear architrave sections, wherein the architrave
sections are attached to architrave faces of the planar portions,
the architrave faces being between the pair of said ends, such that
the architrave sections form a continuous curve-like architrave
with the architrave support.
21. The architrave of claim 20 wherein the number of architrave
sections is the same as the number of planar portions.
22. A kit of parts for forming an architrave support for supporting
one or more sections, the kit comprising: a base support; and a
plurality of planar portions, each planar portion having at least
one oblique end for abutting another said planar portion or the
base support to form an arch.
23. The kit of claim 22 comprising a plurality of linear architrave
sections for attachment to an architrave face of a respective
planar portion, the architrave face being between respective
connection ends of said planar portion.
24. An architrave support or an architrave substantially as herein
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to architrave supports and in
particular to arch-shaped architrave supports and architraves for
use above doorways, hallway entrances, windows and the like.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Arches can be used above internal or external doorways or
windows to create a different aesthetic appeal compared with
doorways having a straight section thereabove. Arches may be used
above doorways in several ways. For example, the door may be
rounded at its top having a complementary shape to the shape of the
arch. Alternatively, where the door has a straight top, the space
between the arch and the top of the door may be empty, or used to
hold a single-piece glass panel, a multiple-piece stained glass
feature, a wooden feature, and so on. Such arches tend to be either
formed from plywood bent and formed into an arch shape or from
metal such as mild steel or aluminium formed into an arch
shape.
[0003] Where doorways or windows have architraves thereabout, the
above described arches may be used to support curved sections of
architrave, usually four equal curved sections, around the arch.
The curved sections complement the shape of the arch and are glued
or otherwise fixed to the arch. The curved sections are joined in
series on the arch to form an arch-shaped architrave.
[0004] It is an object of at least one of the preferred embodiments
of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of
the deficiencies of the prior art, or at least to provide a
suitable alternative thereto.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention there is
provided an architrave support for supporting one or more sections,
the support comprising a plurality of planar portions, each planar
portion having at least one oblique end abutting another said
planar portion, the plurality of planar portions being in series
end to end to form an arch.
[0006] According to another aspect of the invention there is
provided an architrave comprising the architrave support of the
above aspect and a plurality of linear architrave sections, wherein
the architrave sections are attached to architrave faces of the
planar portions, the architrave faces being between the pair of
said ends, such that the architrave sections form a continuous
curve-like architrave with the architrave support.
[0007] According to another aspect of the invention there is
provided a kit of parts for forming an architrave support for
supporting one or more sections, the kit comprising: a base
support; and a plurality of planar portions, each planar portion
having at least one oblique end for abutting another said planar
portion or the base support to form an arch.
[0008] Preferably each oblique end abuts a corresponding end of the
other said planar portion, the plurality of planar portions being
connected in series by the abutted ends to form a self supporting
arch.
[0009] Preferably each oblique end is fixable to the planar portion
against which it abuts to render the arch self supporting.
[0010] Preferably each abutting end comprises a connection portion,
each connection portion being mutually engagable with a
corresponding connection portion of the planar portion against
which it abuts thereby to render the arch self supporting.
[0011] Preferably each connection portion is configured for forming
a mitre joint with the corresponding connection portion thereby to
render the arch self supporting.
[0012] Preferably the planar portions are equal in size and
shape.
[0013] Preferably the support comprises a base support for
supporting ends of the architrave support.
[0014] Preferably there are six to fourteen planar portions, more
preferably nine to eleven planar portions and more preferably ten
planar portions. Preferably the at least one oblique end is formed
at an angle normal to the plane of the planar portions of 8.degree.
to 15.degree., and more preferably 9.degree.. The ends of
respective planar portions may be mitred end to end to form the
arch. Preferably they may be joined end to end by glue or other
fastening means to form the arch.
[0015] Preferably the support comprises a plurality of linear said
sections each attached to an architrave face of a respective said
planar portion, the architrave face being adjacent the at least one
oblique end. Alternatively, each said section comprises an
architrave and adjacent the at least one oblique end, and the
support comprises a plurality of linear said sections attached to
the architrave faces of one or more of the planar portions.
[0016] Preferably each planar portion comprises two oblique
opposite ends.
[0017] Preferably the number of architrave sections is the same as
the number of planar portions.
[0018] The kit aspect of the invention preferably comprises a
plurality of linear architrave sections for attachment to an
architrave end of a respective planar portion, the architrave end
being between the pair of connection ends.
[0019] According to another aspect of the invention there is
provided a load-bearing support for use above a doorway or window
comprising a plurality of planar portions, each planar portion
having at least one oblique end abutting another said planar
portion, the plurality of planar portions being in series end to
end to form an arch.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a front elevation of an arch according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the arch illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a front elevation of a planar portion for use with
the arch illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the planar portion illustrated
in FIG. 3, denoted by circle 4; and
[0025] FIG. 5 is a front elevation of the arch illustrated in FIG.
1, with several architrave sections attached thereto.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
INVENTION
[0026] Referring to the Figures, a preferred embodiment of present
invention is a support or architrave support in the form of an arch
10 for supporting one or more architrave sections 12. The arch
comprises ten planar portions 14, each having a pair of opposite
oblique connection ends 16, each for connecting to an oblique end
of another planar portion 16 or to a base support 18. The planar
portions 14 are connected in series at their oblique connection
ends 16 to each other to form the arch 10.
[0027] It will be appreciated from the drawings that the term
`oblique end` refers to an end which is inclined
non-perpendicularly relative to a planar surface of the planar
portion.
[0028] Thus, the circumferential surface of the arch 10 comprises a
series of flat surfaces, rather than a continuous curve. Whilst
curved portions could be used instead of the planar portions to
provide a curved surface, the use of planar portions provides
additional simplicity.
[0029] Each of the planar portions 14 are equal to each other in
size and shape, each in the form of a trapezoidal prism.
Preferably, the planar portions 14 are cut from a straight wooden
plank to have an angle .alpha. of 9.degree. normal to the plane of
the wooden plank, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0030] Each planar portion is thus configured for forming an arch
having a radial thickness and an axial width, wherein the radial
thickness is less than the axial width.
[0031] In the present embodiment, the planar portions 14 are joined
in series by glue or otherwise attached mitre joints to form the
arch 10, however may be joined by any other suitable joints such as
a half mitre, a corner halving and so on.
[0032] By joining the planar portions 14 at their oblique
connection ends 16 the resulting arch 10 is self supporting and
does not require any additional features to assist it maintain its
shape. For example, the arch shape may be constructed without the
need for additional rigid preformed arch shaped frames such as
aluminium or UPVc arch shaped preforms.
[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the arch is adapted to support
architrave sections 12 on an architrave face, or end 20 of each of
the planar portions 14. FIG. 5 illustrates the arch having five
architrave sections 12 thereon, however in use each planar portion
14 would preferably have a separate architrave section 12 attached
thereto to complete an architrave along the arch 10. While it is
preferred that the number of architrave sections 12 correspond to
the number of planar portions, it is not essential. For example,
there may be fewer or more architrave sections 12 than planar
portions 14.
[0034] In a preferred use of the invention, the arch 10 is
preformed and made available in a range of widths to complement a
variety of door frame and window widths. The arch 10 may be load
bearing, but it is not essential to be so. A skilled person can
then purchase an arch of choice, and a length or lengths of desired
architrave boards. The skilled person would install the arch 10,
for example above a door frame, and cut equally sized architrave
sections 12 to attach to corresponding planar portions 14 of the
arch 10. Two door jamb lengths of the same architrave board would
then be cut to a predetermined length to be attached to respective
side door jambs. The two door jamb lengths of architrave would then
be attached to their respective side door jambs and the architrave
sections 12 attached to their respective planar portions 14 of the
arch 10.
[0035] In another preferred use of the invention, the arch is made
available in kit form of a predetermined number of planar portions
14 for joining together to form the arch 10. In alternative
embodiments of the kit, the base support 18 either is or is not
part of the kit.
[0036] The preferred embodiments have been described with reference
to the arch 10 being formed from ten equally sized planar portions
14 such that the arch 10 is substantially semicircular. In
alternative arrangements, the arch is formed from planar portions
having different respective predetermined angles at their oblique
connection ends, such that the height of the arch is either less
than or greater than the width of the arch. For example, the angles
may range from 8.degree. to 15.degree.. In other alternative
embodiments, the lengths of the respective planar portions for
forming the arch may be different, and/or the number of planar
portions for forming the arch may range from six planar portions to
fourteen planar portions. In the latter embodiment, the planar
portions making up the arch may be equally sized, in which case the
angle of the oblique ends is adapted accordingly.
[0037] While the material of the preferred embodiments is described
as wooden planks, it will be understood that they are not limited
to this material. Suitable material may include plywood; laminated
or non-laminated chipboard; suitable metals; plastic board, such as
high density polyethylene; plasterboard; preformed plaster; etc.
Also, the material used to form the arch 10 need not be the same
material used to form the architrave sections 12.
[0038] The preferred embodiments have clear advantages over the
above described prior art, in that the arch conveniently allows for
the attachment thereto of architrave sections 12 cut from a
straight plank or length of architrave or similar board to obtain
an arch effect. Comparable prior art arches are pre-cut in a
circular shape which is more expensive to produce and more
restrictive in terms of outcome compared with the embodiments
described herein.
[0039] While the invention has been described in reference to its
preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the words which
have been used are words of description rather than limitation and
that changes may be made to the invention without departing from
its scope as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *