Molding Joints And Universal Molding Members Therefor

Abstract

A molding joint for thin wall paneling and molding members therefor. A retainer is positioned with a base flange behind a paneling member as it is being installed. The retainer has a receiving area formed from upstanding arms to receive and engage the tongue of a T-shaped molding cap which is applied after the work is completed. The two-piece molding combination can be used for all types of panel joints including inside and outside corners, butt joints, joints between walls and ceilings and walls and floors, and joints between the edge of paneling members and the wall surfaces to which they are attached. Tile-tub joints and tile-wall surface joints are also formed with the invention.

Description

This invention relates to molding joints for thin wall paneling and to molding members therefor.

Prefinished thin wall plywood paneling is used extensively throughout commercial as well as residential structures. The plywood paneling makes an inexpensive wall covering which is attractive and rich looking. Occasionally, the wall heighth is greater than the heighth of the paneling and a second paneling member must be added to the first, leaving a butt joint therebetween. Molding must be added to cover the edges of the paneling for a professional appearance. For this purpose, elongated H-shaped molding members, formed of extruded polyvinyl-chloride, have been provided to fit between the panels with one side of the H-shape flush against the wall and other side covering the butt joint. These H-shaped molding members are installed as the paneling is installed.

Similarly, inside corners formed by the junction of paneling members require a molding cover. For this purpose, similar molding members, shaped to fit the inside corner have been provided.

Still further, molding members are required for the baseboard, the ceiling, the top of the panel below the ceiling as well as for panels forming outside corners. Six different shapes are required for a complete set of molding joints. Each of these shapes must be properly colored for the finish color of the paneling. Additionally, each of these shapes is adapted only for a given thickness paneling. Thus, if a supplier had to stock four different color moldings, to fit panel thicknesses of one-eighth inch, 4 millimeters, three-sixteenth inch and one-fourth inch, which are the most common panel thicknesses, he would be required to stock a total of 96 different pieces in order to properly supply moldings for each job.

I have now discovered a simple two-piece universal molding construction for paneling joints which is less expensive to manufacture, installed quickly and simply, and which decimates the stock required for a supplier.

By various aspects of this invention one or more of the following, or other, objects can be obtained.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved molding joint construction for thin wall paneling which is universal in application in that the same molding members can be used for all common joint configurations.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved molding joint construction for thin wall paneling in which the cover portion of the molding joint is not installed until after all construction and room decorating is completed.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a more watertight molding construction in which a space in the molding receives a thin bead of water resistant adhesive or caulking compound, which will seal the edges of tile molding in bathrooms and the like whereby seepage of water behind the tile panels is prevented.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a joint construction between two abutting thin wall paneling members in which construction molding members overlie the facing edges of the wall paneling.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a cap molding joint construction for an edge of a thin wall paneling member.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a molding construction for paneling members forming an inside corner.

It is another object of this invention to provide a joint construction for paneling members forming an outside corner.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a molding construction for a joint between a thin paneling member and a ceiling or a floor.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a molding construction for thin wall paneling, the molding being adaptable to different thickness panelings as well as different joint configurations.

Other aspects, objects, and the several advantages of this invention are apparent to one skilled in the art from a study of this disclosure, the drawings, and the appended claims.

According to the invention, there is provided a molding construction for use in covers of paneling joints of varying configurations. The molding construction is formed from two interengaging elongated shapes, one of which has a portion fitting behind the paneling, and the other of which fits over the edge or edges of the paneling and over the one shape.

The molding construction includes as one shape an elongated retainer of a rigid resilient material having a flat base portion to be placed flush with a wall surface. The base portion includes a pair of arms extending upwardly from the base forming a receiving area therebetween and gripping means on the inner facing edges of the upper portion of the arms. A wide attaching flange is left at one side of the retainer base.

The other shape in the molding construction comprises an elongated T-shaped molding cap integrally formed of a flexible and resilient synthetic material. The molding cap has first and second outwardly extending cover flanges and a depending tongue therebetween, with one of the outwardly extending cover flanges being of a width substantially greater than the other of the cover flanges. The tongue has a lower portion of a thickness to fit within the receiving area of the retainer and has means at a lower portion to engage the receiver gripping means so that the tongue lower portion is securely held by the arm when it is within the retainer receiving area.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an outside corner wall in a room illustrating three uses of the universal molding construction according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4--4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged exploded view of the retainer and molding cap according to the invention, illustrating the shape of the two parts without external forces;

FIG. 6 is a further enlarged, exploded partial view of the interengaging portions of the retainer and molding cap illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an inside corner illustrating another use of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along lines 8--8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a tub enclosure illustrating two additional uses of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view taken along lines 10--10 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view taken along lines 11--11 of FIG. 9.

Referring now to the drawings, and to FIG. 1 in particular, there is shown a floor and a pair of walls 12 and 14 forming an outside corner. A lower paneling sheet 18 and an upper paneling sheet 20 are fixed to wall 12. A lower paneling sheet 22 and an upper paneling sheet 28 are fixed to the wall 14. A divider molding 26 is secured between the lower paneling sheet 18 and the upper paneling sheet 20, and between the lower paneling sheet 22 and the upper paneling sheet 24. An outside corner molding 28 forms a junction between the lower paneling sheets 18 and 22, and between the upper paneling sheets 20 and 24. A floor molding 30 forms a junction between the floor 16 and the lower paneling sheets 18 and 22.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5 and 6 for a description of the components which make up each of the molding joints. A retainer 32 has a flat base portion 34 with upstanding arms 36 and 38 forming a receiving area therebetween. The arms extend inwardly at the upper portions thereof forming inwardly facing serrated edges 40. The upstanding arm 38 is positioned to one side of the transverse center of the flat base portion 34 leaving a wide flange portion 39. The upstanding arm 36 is positioned near an edge of the flat base portion 34 leaving a short edge flange 37.

The serrated edges 40 of each upstanding arm 36 and 38 are formed by sloping surfaces 42 and undercut surfaces 44 which are parallel to the base portion 34.

A molding cap 46 has a wide cover flange 48, a narrow cover flange 50 and a depending tongue 64 extending therebetween. The wide cover flange 48 and the narrow cover flange 50 are formed so that they curve downwardly toward the tongue 64. The wide flange 48 has a beaded end portion 52 of thickened material and three angularly disposed outer surfaces 54, 55 and 56. The flat surface 54 is perpendicular to the inside surface of the flange 48 at the end portion thereof. The flat surface 55 is perpendicular to the tongue 64 when the long flange 48 is in the unstressed, curved position illustrated in FIG. 5. The flat surface 56 is parallel to the flange 48 at the end portion thereof.

The narrow flange 50 has a beaded end portion 58 of thickened material. The beaded end 58 has a flat bottom edge 60 and a flat surface 62 which is perpendicular to the flange 50 at the end portion thereof. The bottom 60 is parallel to the short flange 50 at the end thereof.

The tongue 64 has a serrated lower portion 66 formed by inwardly sloping surfaces 68 and return surfaces 70 which are perpendicular to the tongue.

The retainer 32 can be formed out of any suitable plastic material. Rigid resilient plastics such as rigid polyvinylchloride, acrylics, and high density polyolefins are preferred. Since the base 32 is always hidden from view, it can be made in any color from inexpensive scrap material. The retainer is preferably made as an extrusion.

The molding cap 46 can be formed of any suitable plastic material which is rigid yet pliable and resilient enough to bend into the shapes illustrated in the drawings. The wide cover flange 48 must be of a length and flexibility so that the end portion can be bent through an angle of at least 90.degree. as shown in the drawings. A plasticized rigid polyvinylchloride is suitable for this purpose. Other vinyl polymers and olefin polymers are also suited for this molding cap 46. The molding cap 46 is preferably extruded.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which illustrates the use of the retainer 32 and cap molding 46 as a divider between two wood panel sheets. As seen in FIG. 3, the wide flange 39 fits behind the paneling sheet 18 which is secured to the wall through any suitable fastening means. The retainer 32 can be installed behind the paneling sheet 18 as the paneling sheet is secured to the wall. The narrow flange 37 fits behind the paneling sheet 20 which is in turn secured to the wall. The paneling sheets 18 and 20 securely hold the retainer 18 in position. The cap molding 46 is secured to the retainer 32 through the tongue 64 whose serrated edges 66 engage the serrated edges 40 of the upstanding arms 36 and 38. The wide flange 48 is bent upwardly to extend in a direction parallel to the flat base portion 34 of retainer 32 such that the flat surface 56 of the bead portion 52 contacts the outer surface of the upper paneling sheet 20. The narrow flange 50 is also bent upwardly somewhat so that it is substantially parallel to the base portion 32 whereby the flat surface 60 of bead portion 58 is flush with the outer surface of the lower paneling sheet 18.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which illustrates the retainer and cap molding as used for an outside corner. The lower paneling sheet 22 is secured to the wall so that the side edge thereof extends outwardly a short distance of the corner. The retainer 32 is positioned with the outer edge of flange 37 in contact with the lower paneling sheet 22. In this position, the narrow flange 37 serves as a spacer for the retainer 32. A nail 80 can be driven through the short flange 37 to secure the retainer to the wall. Alternately, or in addition thereto, a nail 81 can be used to secure flange 39 behind the lower paneling sheet 18. The molding cap 46 is secured to the retainer 32 through the depending tongue 64 whose serrated surfaces 66 engage the serrated surfaces 40 of the retainer arms 36 and 38. The wide flange 48 of the cap molding 46 is bent slightly outwardly so that the bead portion 52 extends around the outer surface of the paneling sheet 22 with the flat surface 54 flush against the outer face. By this construction, visible gaps between the cap molding 46 and the outer surface of paneling sheet 22 are eliminated. The narrow flange 50 is positioned similarly to that illustrated in FIG. 2. The narrow flange 50 is bent outwardly slightly so that the flat surface 60 is flush against the outer surface of paneling sheet 18.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4 which illustrates the use of the cap molding and retainer as a floor molding. The retainer 32 is spaced upwardly slightly from the floor 16 and is secured behind the paneling sheet 18 by nails 80 and/or 78 which extend through the narrow flange 37 and the wide flange 39 respectively. The cap molding 46 is secured to the retainer 32 through the tongue 64 whose serrated surfaces 66 engage the serrated surfaces 40 of arms 36 and 38. The wide flange is bent outwardly so that the flat surface 56 of bead portion 52 is flat with the floor 16. The narrow flange 50 of the cap molding 46 is bent so that the flat surface 60 of bead portion 58 is flush with the outer surface of paneling sheet 18.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 7 and 8 which show the use of the molding construction of the invention in an inside corner. In FIG. 7 there is illustrated an inside corner formed by paneling sheets 72 and 74 and having an inside corner molding joint 76 therebetween. In FIG. 8, the details of the molding joint are illustrated. The retainer 32 is secured in place by fitting the wide flange 39 beneath the paneling sheet 72. The edge of the narrow flange 37 is spaced from the paneling board 72. The edge of paneling sheet 74 is positioned snugly in the corner formed between the two walls. If desirable, a nail 78 can be used to hold the paneling sheet 72 and the retainer 32 in place. The cap molding 46 engages the retainer 32 through depending tongue 64 whose serrated surfaces 66 engage the serrated surfaces 40 of the retainer arms 36 and 38. The wide flange 48 is bent outwardly so that the flat surface 56 of bead 52 is flush with the outer surface of the paneling sheet 74. The narrow flange 50 is bent slightly back so that the flat surface 60 is flush with the outer surface of the paneling sheet 72.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9, 10 and 11 which illustrate two additional uses of the molding construction in a tub and shower enclosure environment. In such environments, water damage behind tile paneling is a serious problem. In FIG. 9 there is shown a tub 82 and tile walls 84 and 86 of the type conventionally used in bathroom tube enclosures. A cap molding construction 88 is provided between the tile 84 and the wall 92 to which it is attached. A tub molding 90 is provided between the tube and the tile walls 84 and 86.

The details of the cap molding construction will now be described with reference to FIG. 10. The retainer 32 is secured in place on top of the tile 84 by positioning the long flange 39 behind the tile 84. The tile is secured to the wall by conventional adhesive means. The arm 38 rests against the top portion of the tile 84. A waterproof adhesive seal 94 is provided between the arm 38 and the tile 84. A second waterproof adhesive seal is provided between the upper portion of the retainer 32 and the wall 92. In this manner, the joint is completely watertight so that moisture cannot seep behind the tile 84.

The molding cap 46 is secured to the retainer 32 through tongue 36 whose serrated surfaces 66 engage the serrated surfaces 40 of the retainer arms 36 and 38. The wide flange 48 follows its normal contour so that the flat edge 55 of beaded portion 52 is flush with the outer surface of wall 92. The narrow flange 50 is bent outwardly slightly so that the flat edge 60 of the beaded end portion 58 is flush with the outer surface of the tile wall 84.

The details of the tub molding 90 will now be described with reference to FIG. 11. In this molding construction, the retainer can be secured in place a spaced distance above the tub 82 through a nail 80. The bottom edge of the tile 84 then rests against retainer arm 38 with the wide flange portion 39 behind the tile 84. Desirably, a waterproof adhesive seal 98 is provided between the top edge of tub 82 and retainer arm 36. Further, a waterproof adhesive seal 100 is provided between the bottom edge of tile 84 and retainer arm 38. In this manner, a completely water proof seal is provided between the tub 82 and the tile 84, thereby preventing moisture from seeping behind tile 84. The molding cap 46 is secured to retainer 32 through tongue 64 whose serrated surfaces 66 engage the serrated surfaces 40 of retainer arms 36 and 38. The wide flange 48 is bent outwardly such that the flat surface 56 of the beaded end portion 52 is flush with the top surface of the tub 82. The narrow flange 50 is bent outwardly slightly so that the flat surface 60 of beaded end portion 58 is flush with the outer surface of tile 84.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the invention provides a universal molding construction which is adapted to many different common joint configurations as well as to different thickness wall paneling. In addition, the molding construction is very well adapted for use in high moisture areas such as bathrooms wherein water insoluble adhesives are use advantageously to seal the paneling members from moisture.

It will be appreciated that the universal nature of this molding construction requires but few parts to be stocked. For example, the same retainer and molding cap can be used for different thickness paneling such as one-eighth inch, 4 millimeters, three-sixteenths inch and one-fourth inch, the most common paneling thicknesses. In addition, the same retainer can be used for all different color paneling since the retainer will always be hidden from view. Thus, the molding supplier need only stock the retainer and as many modling caps as is required for the different coloring panels. For example, if the supplier had four different color moldings, he would have to stock four different color molding caps and one retainer, a total of five parts. This stocking requirement is in distinction to the conventional practice which requires 96 different parts.

The total construction is quite inexpensive to manufacture. The retainer can be manufactured in any color and even scrap material can be used. The cost of the scrap material is far less than the pure color material. Thus, the cap molding can be made from the more expensive pure material and the retainer can be made from very inexpensive scrap material.

The invention permits the finished molding cap to be added to the joint at a time after the paneling has been installed and after all construction has been completed. Thus, the molding cap is less likely to be damaged or spattered with paint during the time of construction.

Whereas the invention has been described with reference to an engaging means comprising a tongue on the molding cap and arms on the retainer, it is apparent that an equivalent engaging means for most purposes, although not preferred, would comprise a reversal of these parts, i.e., a pair of arms on the cap molding and a tongue on the retainer.

Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the foregoing disclosure, the drawings, and the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A molding construction for use in covers for paneling joints, said molding construction comprising:

an elongated retainer of a rigid resilient material having a flat base portion defining a flat base plane to be placed flush with a first wall surface, said retainer including upstanding gripping means and a flat planar flange for securing said retainer to said first wall surface;

an elongated T-shaped molding cap integrally formed of a flexible and resilient synthetic material, said molding cap having first and second outwardly extending cover flanges and a depending fastening means therebetween, said gripping means of said retainer engaging said fastening means of said molding cap to couple said molding cap to said retainer, said second cover flange being substantially narrower than said first cover flange to cover the edge of a panel attached to said first wall surface and abutting said retainer, said second cover flange having a width and curvature insufficient to contact said retainer base plane; said first cover flange being naturally curved downwardly with the outer end portion thereof in contact with said flat base plane and free from engagement with said retainer;

said first cover flange being freely flexible with respect to said retainer and of sufficient width and flexibility so that said end portion of said first cover flange can be bent backwardly through an angle of at least 90.degree. so that said end portion thereof contacts and is biased against a second flat plane, perpendicular to and forming an inside corner with said base plane;

means on said end portion of said first cover flange to engage said retainer base plane and

means on said first cover flange end portion for engaging said second flat plane and thereby retaining said first cover flange in said backwardly bent position when said end portion is in contact with said second flat plane, whereby said retainer and molding cap can be universally used for moldings on a flat wall surface as well as an inside corner.

2. A molding construction according to claim 1 wherein said base plane and second flat plane engaging means comprise a bead of thickened material having a plurality of angularly disposed flat surfaces, one of said surfaces being parallel to said retainer base plane when said first cover flange is in contact therewith, and another of said surfaces being parallel to said second plane when said end portion of said first cover flange is bent backwardly and in contact with said second plane.

3. A molding construction according to claim 2 wherein said second cover flange further comprises a bead of thickened material at an outer end thereof, said bead having a flat surface generally perpendicular to said tongue but inclined slightly upwardly with respect thereto.

4. A molding construction according to claim 3 wherein one of said angularly disposed surfaces of said first cover flange bead is substantially perpendicular to said first cover flange at the outer portion thereof, another of said angularly disposed surfaces is substantially parallel to said first cover flange at the outer portion thereof, and still another of said angularly disposed surfaces is substantially perpendicular to said tongue and at an acute angle to the end of said first cover flange.

5. A molding construction according to claim 1 wherein said cap fastening means and said retainer gripping means have a plurality of spaced interengaging surfaces so that said fastening means can be securely held by said retainer in a plurality of spaced positions relative to said retainer for use with panelings of different thicknesses.

6. A molding construction according to claim 1 wherein said retainer flange comprises a wide attaching flange on one side of said gripping means, and further comprising a narrow elongated spacer flange on an opposite side of said gripping means from said wide attaching flange.

7. A molding construction according to claim 1 wherein said gripping means comprises arms which extend inwardly at an upper portion thereof and gripping ridges are formed on the ends of said inwardly extending arm portions.

8. A molding construction according to claim 1 and further comprising means on said outer end portion of said first cover flange for engaging a third wall surface perpendicular to and forming an outside corner with said first wall surface such that said first cover can outer portion can wrap around and be retained by said third wall surface.

9. A molding construction for universal use in covers for paneling joints, said molding construction comprising:

an elongated retainer of a rigid resilient material having a flat base portion defining a flat base plane and to be placed flush with a first wall surface, said retainer having a flange for securing said retainer to said first wall surface and upstanding gripping means;

an elongated T-shaped molding cap integrally formed of a flexible and resilient synthetic material, said molding cap having first and second outwardly extending cover flanges and depending fastening means, said fastening means engaging said gripping means to couple said molding cap to said retainer, said first cover flange being naturally curved downwardly and of sufficient width so that the outer end portion thereof is normally in contact with said base plane;

said first cover flange also being of sufficient width and flexibility so that said end portion of said first cover flange can be bent backwardly through an angle of at least 90.degree. so that said end portion contacts and is biased against a second flat plane, perpendicular to and forming an inside corner with said retainer base plane;

said first cover flange having a bead of thickened material on said end portion thereof, said bead having a first flat surface substantially perpendicular to said first cover flange at the outer portion thereof, a second flat surface substantially parallel to said first cover flange to the outer portion thereof, and a third flat surface substantially perpendicular to said depending fastening means and at an acute angle to the end of said first cover flange, whereby said first cover flange is adapted for universal use to abut against said retainer base plane or said second plane, or to engage a panel member on a third plane forming an outside corner with said retainer base plane.

10. A molding joint construction for an outside corner between the facing edges of first and second relatively thin paneling members, said paneling members fixed to first and second planar surfaces respectively, said planar surfaces being perpendicular to each other and forming an outside corner, said second paneling member having an edge extending beyond said corner, said molding joint comprising:

an elongated retainer having a flat base portion in contact with said first planar surface, a portion of said flat base portion extending beneath said first paneling member and another portion of said flat base portion extending to the edge of said first planar surface and abutting said second paneling member;

an elongated T-shaped molding cap of a resilient and flexible material covering the joint between said wall paneling members, said T-shaped molding cap including first and second elongated cover flanges;

said first cover flange being of a width substantially greater than said second cover flange and extending over said edge of said second paneling member, said first cover flange being naturally curved toward said retainer sufficiently to contact an extension of said first planar surface and bent back away from said retainer so that said first cover flange is biased against said edge of said second paneling member; means on the end of said first cover flange for engaging the face of said second paneling member for retaining said first cover flange over the edge of said second paneling member;

said second cover flange covering the edge of said first paneling member and being of insufficient length and curvature to contact said first planar surface in the absence of said first paneling member; and

interengaging means on said retainer and on said molding cap for firmly coupling said retainer to said molding cap.

11. A molding joint construction according to claim 10 wherein said first cover flange has a bead formed of a thickened material at the end thereof, said bead forming a flat surface, said flat surface is substantially perpendicular to said first cover flange at said end thereof and said flat surface is in contact with said face of said second paneling member.