FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to decorating.[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIt is known as illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 1,944,070 to Esdorn, to mount curved, channeled crown molding to a wall, and to use the channels for commercial display of removable display cards. Furthermore, it is known as exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,465,516, 4,955,153, 4,817,316 and 6,216,375 to mount a channeled strip to other surfaces and to use the spaced apart channels to retain a strip or holder inserted into and removed from an open end of the channeled strip. Also known as illustrated by U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,944,070, 5,465,516, 4,817,316, 5,881,484, and 6,216,375 (FIGS. 38,39), is face mounting of a card, strip or photograph by bending or longitudinally flexing it. In addition, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,955,153 and 4,817,316 disclose use of a semirigid strip.[0002]
Furthermore, as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,435, a decorative border for home decorating use as a crown molding or chair rail is known. That type of border is based upon a rigid and easily penetrated material such as “styrofoam” to which wallpaper or fabric is applied. Drawbacks with that type of border include the difficulty of changing the decorative pattern.[0003]
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved decorative border, in particular a decorative border assembly that makes it easy to change the decorative pattern.[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the present invention, there is provided a decorative border assembly that includes spaced apart retaining channels to be mounted to a suitable support surface. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of spaced apart channeled rails provide the retaining channels, and one or more elongated molding strips provide the spaced apart channeled rails. The decorative border assembly further includes one or more mounting strips to which a decorative pattern is applied. In the description that follows, the term patterned strip is generally used for a mounting strip after a decorative pattern has been applied.[0005]
A suitable mounting strip is dimensionally sized to be removably retained by the spaced apart retaining channels. Beneficially, a suitable mounting strip has a notched edge, and in particular is provided with a plurality of horizontally spaced apart mounting notches along the notched edge, with the notches concealed from view when the mounting strip is held in place by the retaining channels. It is particularly beneficial for both strip edges to be notched.[0006]
In an especially preferred embodiment, the mounting strip width exceeds the distance between the spaced apart channeled rails, and one of the retaining channels is provided with a depth sufficient to receive the excess width. As is later explained, this feature assists face mounting of the mounting strip.[0007]
Advantageously, a decorative border assembly in accordance with the present invention further includes a corner piece. Useful corner pieces may include upper and lower edges to be retained by the spaced apart retaining channels, or may include a corner portion and spaced apart retaining channels that extend from the corner portion, or may include a generally vertical side for abutting the ends of the spaced apart retaining channels.[0008]
In accordance with the invention, a method is provided for mounting a particularly beneficial decorative border assembly, and thereafter at a suitable time demounting the one or more elongated patterned strips to change the decorative pattern. By the method, the retaining channels are mounted to a suitable support surface in a spaced apart relationship. Thereafter, edge sections of one or more elongated patterned strips, each of which has both edges provided with the mounting notches, are consecutively face mounted by inserting the edge sections into the retaining channels until the one or more patterned strips are fully mounted. Thereafter, at an appropriate time, the one or more patterned strips are demounted by consecutively withdrawing the edge sections from the retaining channels. Thereafter, one or more substitute patterned strips bearing a different decorative pattern may be mounted, or each demounted patterned strip may be remounted to display a decorated reverse face.[0009]
Additional advantages and beneficial features of the present invention are set forth in the drawing and detailed description, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the drawing and detailed description or may be learned by practice of the invention. In the drawing and detailed description, there are shown and essentially described only preferred embodiments of this invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated of carrying out this invention. As will be realized, this invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification in various respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawing and the detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.[0010]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGReference is now made to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of the specification of the present invention and illustrates preferred embodiments of the present invention.[0011]
FIG. 1 is a view of a decorative border assembly in accordance with the invention, mounted on walls with inside and outside corners;[0012]
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line[0013]2-2 of FIG. 1, indicating face mounting of the patterned strip in phantom line, and showing retention of the mounted patterned strip by retaining channels of unequal depth;
FIG. 2A is an enlarged detail of FIG. 2 showing the patterned strip being face mounted and insertion of the top strip edge into the upper retaining channel;[0014]
FIG. 3 is a view showing a Spring wallpaper pattern being applied to prepare the patterned strip of FIG. 1 for mounting;[0015]
FIG. 4 is a view of the opposite face of the patterned strip of FIG. 1, showing a Fall pattern;[0016]
FIG. 5 is a sectional view like that of FIG. 2, showing a modified embodiment in which the retaining channels are of approximately equal depth, and face mounting of the patterned strip of FIG. 1 by outwardly bowing the patterned strip;[0017]
FIG. 6 (wallpaper indicated in phantom; decorative pattern not shown) indicates further details of mounting the decorative border assembly of FIG. 1, by which advantage is taken of spaced apart mounting notches when mounting patterned strip;[0018]
FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional detail of the inside corner of FIG. 6;[0019]
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the corner piece of FIG. 7 oriented for mounting on an outside wall corner;[0020]
FIG. 9 is a modified inner corner piece useful in a decorative border assembly in accordance with the present invention;[0021]
FIG. 10 is another useful inner corner piece;[0022]
FIG. 11 shows the corner piece of FIG. 10 mounted in an inside corner with ends of the molding strips of FIG. 7 (90° ends shown, not 45° ends; detail limited to upper molding strip portions; one end in phantom) butted against generally vertical sides of the corner piece;[0023]
FIG. 12 is a view similar to that of FIG. 11, but showing an outer corner piece similar to the inner corner piece of FIG. 10 mounted on an outside corner; and[0024]
FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of yet another useful corner piece.[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the present invention, an advantageous decorative border assembly is provided. As will be understood, terms such as upward, downward, upper, lower, above, below, vertical, horizontal and the like are relative, and have been particularly used with reference to the drawing to assist understanding.[0026]
With reference to FIGS.[0027]1 to8, a decorative border assembly in accordance with the present invention, may be mounted adjacent a ceiling as shown, or mounted elsewhere on a wall, for instance, as a chair rail. In accordance with the invention, a preferreddecorative border assembly10 includes a plurality ofelongated molding strips12 of a suitable material such as wood, plastic or metal, with mitered450 ends14 (best seen in FIG. 7) that meet at the wall corners to formcorners16. As later described, 45° mitering to formcorners16 may be avoided.Molding strips12 may be conveniently secured to a support surface using conventional fasteners (not shown) with or without suitable adhesives.
Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 7,[0028]molding strips12 beneficially include spaced apart upper andlower retaining channels18,20. These molding strips when mounted adjacent a ceiling, may serve as crown molding, and may suitably have a curved appearance like that of the channeled crown molding of Esdorn. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the surface between the retaining channels may be generally planar.
With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 7 in particular, spaced apart channeled[0029]rails22 provide spaced apart retainingchannels18,20, and in the case of wood molding strips,molding strips12 may suitably be made by adhering or otherwise attaching channeled rail molding pieces to abacking plate24 of appropriate width. Alternatively, in the case of plastic molding strips, the channeled rails and backing plate may be a one piece structure formed, for instance, by extrusion or molding. It will be readily appreciated that a backing plate, though convenient, is not necessary. If desired, the channeled rails may be mounted directly to a wall, and in this case, the rails may advantageously be spaced apart a suitable distance. As shown, the channeled rails typically have a decorative look.
The elongated molding strips conveniently are provided in a length corresponding to commercially available crown molding, that is, in the range of about 8 to 16 feet, but may be of greater or less length. As can be appreciated, the number of elongated molding strips to be used for a given decorative situation, depends on variables including the decorative effect desired, relevant dimensions of the surface to be decorated, and the molding strip length. Because commercially available wallpaper border typically has a width in the range of about 4 to 7 inches, the channeled rails are usually spaced apart a distance d (shown in FIG. 2) in the range of about 4 to 7 inches. However, a greater or less distance between the channeled rails may be used as desired or appropriate.[0030]
With reference to FIGS.[0031]2 to7, a decorative border assembly in accordance with the invention further typically includes one or more elongated mounting strips26 of a suitable material, for instance, plastic, with a semirigid material being advantageous. By the term semirigid is meant for purposes of this description, that the material is of sufficiently rigidity to serve as a mounting strip, but yet of sufficient flexibility for face mountingelongated strip26 to the channeled rails. Furthermore, the semirigidity contemplated will allow the mounting strip to be stored in roll form, if desired, or to be provided in lengths like commercially available lumber. If available in rolls, the mounting strip may, if desired, exceed 20 feet in length, but may be of less length. If provided in lengths like commercially available lumber, the mounting strip will generally be limited to appropriate commercially acceptable lengths. In any event, as will become clear from the description that later follows, it will generally be beneficial for mounting strip to be of greater length than molding strip.
With reference to FIG. 3 in particular, a length of patterned[0032]wallpaper27 or fabric is typically applied to aface28 of mountingstrip26 to produce a patternedstrip34, which terminates in anend35. Conventional wallpaper adhesives or the like may be used to fix the wallpaper or fabric to the mounting strip. As a result, numerous commercially available wallpaper patterns or fabrics may advantageously be selected from. However, if desired, the mounting strip may be provided with a suitable decorative pattern directly printed thereon. In any event, it will be appreciated with particular reference to FIG. 1, that a mounted decorative border assembly in accordance with the present invention, typically includes one or more patterned strips34. Furthermore, referring now to FIG. 4, which shows anopposite end36 of patternedstrip34, a patterned strip may beneficially be provided with a different decorative pattern on its opposite face.
With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, elongated mounting[0033]strip26 beneficially is of greater width than patternedwallpaper27, and referring also to FIG. 7 in particular, is dimensionally sized to be removably retained by the spaced apart retaining channels. As shown, the mounting strip may be advantageously provided with a plurality of horizontally and vertically spaced apart mountingnotches30,32 along top andbottom edges38,40, for face mounting and demounting of the patterned strip, to and from channeled rails22. These spaced apart mounting notches define selected lengths, indicated assections42,44,46,48, of the mounting strip edges, and these edge sections may be adjacent to notches as in the case ofend sections42,48, or between notches as in the case ofsections44,46. Conveniently, the mounting notches divide elongated mountingstrip26 into sections of appropriate length for ease of handling. Accordingly, elongated mounting strip typically is provided with a plurality of sections of about 2 to 3 feet in length.
As clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, retaining[0034]channels18,20 may be of unequal depth, in which case it is advantageous for one of the retaining channels to have a depth D (shown in FIG. 2A) sufficient to receive the width of the mounting strip that exceeds a distance d (shown in FIG. 2) between the channeled rails. Referring also to FIGS. 3 and 6, this excess width can be understood to be generally provided byedges38,40. Beneficially, upper retainingchannel18 is provided with the relatively greater depth.
However, referring to FIG. 5 and a modified decorative border assembly[0035]210, a useful border assembly may use anelongated molding strip212 with retainingchannels218,220 of approximately equal depth. In this case, the combined depth of the retaining channels is conveniently sufficient to receive the width of mountingstrip26 that exceeds a distance d′ between channeled rails222. The numbering used for decorative border assembly210 in FIG. 5 is the same used to describeborder assembly10 in case of identical features or parts, whereas corresponding200 series numbering has been used in the case of like features or parts, it being intended that reference can be made to the description ofborder assembly10.
With reference to FIGS. 2A and 6, top[0036]edge mounting notches30 facilitate insertion of selected lengths oftop edge38 into retainingchannel18 using upward pushing as indicated by the arrows, and during the insertion, the patterned strip adjacent the length of the respective edge section, may conveniently be flexed away from backingplate24 as illustrated in FIG. 2A. Thereafter, referring in particular to FIG. 6, the respective patterned strip portion may conveniently lay flat against the backing plate for downward movement and sliding insertion of the respective bottom edge section into retainingchannel20, and bottomedge mounting notches32 are used to facilitate insertion of selected lengths ofbottom edge40 into the lower retaining channel. More specifically, as also shown in FIG. 6, mountingnotches30,32 adjacent to edgesections42, beneficially allow the full lengths of the edge sections to be inserted within retainingchannels18,20, prior to mountingadjacent edge sections44. Likewise, mountingnotches30,32 definingedge sections44, allow the full lengths ofedge sections44 to be inserted within retainingchannels18,20, prior to mountingadjacent edge sections46, and so forth until the entire length of the patterned strip has been mounted.
As indicated in FIG. 6, each bottom edge notch is conveniently generally vertically aligned with the respective proximate top edge notch. However, this is not a necessary feature of the invention. Furthermore, it will be readily appreciated that the mounting notches may be provided with greater or less length than that illustrated. In any event, the mounting notches should be of appropriate depth to substantially assist in mounting sections of patterned strip as described. However, on the other hand, the mounting notches are beneficially limited in depth so as to be concealed from view, as shown in FIG. 1, when the mounting strip is retained by the retaining channels. Considerations in selecting suitable retaining channel depth typically include that not only the mounting notches but also any portion of the mounting strip uncovered by decorative pattern, are concealed from view when the mounting strip is held in place by the retaining channels.[0037]
As previously mentioned, commercially available wallpaper border typically has a width in the range of about 4 to 7 inches. Thus, for instance, for a 6⅞ inch wallpaper border, and a molding strip with an upper retaining channel depth of ½″ and a lower retaining channel depth of ¼″, conveniently a suitable mounting strip will have a width of 7¼″, and will include mounting notches of {fraction (3/16)}″ depth. In this example, the mounting notches of the mounted patterned strip will be concealed by the retaining channels, and {fraction (1/16)}″ of each edge of the wallpaper border (see FIG. 7 as illustrative) will be disposed within the retaining channels. As can also be understood from this example, the depth of the deeper retaining channel is beneficially sufficient so that in the case in which ¼″ of the mounted patterned strip is to be disposed within the opposing retaining channel, the deeper retaining channel depth can temporarily accommodate this ¼″. In any event, the retaining channel depth and width of the mounting strip are advantageously selected so that the opposite edges of the mounting strip are retained by the opposing retaining channels.[0038]
If desired, the mounting notches may be limited to one edge or the other. However, less ease of mounting and demounting the patterned strip and maintaining the integrity of the patterned strip and wallpaper border for further decorative use, may generally be expected.[0039]
With reference again to FIG. 5, notched patterned[0040]strip34 may also be face mounted by being longitudinally flexed to be curved outward as illustrated, and then by applying inward pressure and pressure toward the retaining channels as indicated by the arrows. This technique is particularly useful when neither of retainingchannels218,220 is of sufficient depth to receive the excess width of mountingstrip26 greater than distance d′ between channeled rails222.
Referring particularly to FIGS. 7 and 8,[0041]decorative border assembly10 preferably includes acorner piece50, which typically is provided with a decorative look (not shown in the drawing). Otherpreferred corner pieces70,80,90 and100 are illustrated by FIGS.9-13; and it will be readily appreciated, that the present invention is not limited to the corner pieces illustrated, As will become understood, advantages of useful corner pieces include not only providing the decorative border assembly with a finished look and visually breaking the decorative pattern, but also assisting in demounting of mounted patterned strips.
With continued reference to FIGS. 7 and 8,[0042]corner piece50 includes joinedplanes52 generally oriented at a right angle to one another, and provided with top andbottom edges54,56 conveniently defined by a pair of vertically spaced apartnotches58.Corner piece50 further includes side edges60, front faces62 shown in FIG. 7, and reverse faces64 shown in FIG. 8. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the mounted corner piece is held in place like patterned strips34, by top andbottom edges54,56 being held within retainingchannels18,20. As can be appreciated from FIG. 1, mountedcorner pieces50, particularly when provided with a decorative look, give the decorative border assembly a finished look and visually break the wallpaper pattern. Thus, if the corner pieces are omitted, there will be no such visual break. Because ends35 of mounted patternedstrips34 may, as shown, be hidden behind mountedcorner piece50, the ends do not need to be neatly finished. However, if desired, ends of mounted patterned strips may abut corner piece side edges60.
Beneficially, as further shown in FIG. 7, when ends[0043]35 of the mounted patterned strips are concealed from view, the ends do not extend fully behindcorner piece50. To this end, patterned strips may each be provided with a length that leaves agap59 betweencorner16 and the strip end. As a result, when demounting the patterned strip, the patterned strip may be further slid into the gap thereby opening a gap at the opposite patterned strip end for easier demounting of the patterned strip.
Referring to FIG. 13, a[0044]like corner piece70 includes spaced apart planes72 generally oriented at a right angle to one another, provided with top andbottom edges74,76, and joined by a generallycurved wall78. As shown, top andbottom edges74,76 beneficially extend above and belowcurved wall78, for holding the corner piece in place when inserted into retainingchannels18,20. As can be appreciated from FIG. 13,curved wall78, whencorner piece70 is mounted, will be disposed between channeledrails22, and give the decorative look of a cylinder projecting from the corner.
With reference now to FIG. 9, an[0045]inner corner piece80, conveniently formed by molding a suitable plastic material, advantageously avoids 45° mitering of molding strips12 to form a corner of the decorative border assembly. Instead, this corner piece includes acorner portion82, which joins molding strip-like portions12′, each provided with spaced apart channeledrails22′ integral with abacking plate portion24′. Typically, molding strip-like portions12′ are oriented at a right angle to one another as shown.
[0046]Corner portion82 conveniently includes a curvedfront face84 disposed between generally planar sides86. Advantageously, sides86 may includeslots88 for receiving ends of mounted patterned strips. As can be understood from FIG. 9, each such slot is beneficially provided with a vertical dimension such that the upper and lower portions of each such slot generally continue retainingchannels18′,20′ of molding strip-like portions12′. As previously described with respect to FIG. 7, there is benefit in concealing patterned strip ends from view, and in addition for demounting patterned strip, it may be advantageous for each such slot to be provided with a suitable depth and for the respective patterned strip (not shown in FIG. 9) to be provided with a suitable length that provide a gap (not shown) likegap59 into which the patterned strip end may be further slid in preparation for demounting.
[0047]Corner piece80 may have 90° ends89 as shown, for butting against 90° ends of molding strips12 (not shown in FIG. 9). However, ends89 do not need to be 90°, but may be other suitable angles consistent with the angle given to the abutting strip end. With respect to joints formed byends89 and abutting ends of molding strips, an additional benefit of a decorative border assembly in accordance with the present invention, is that the joints may be concealed behind mounted patterned strips. Thus, that portion of each such joint (not shown) that extends between channeledrails22′ ofcorner piece80 and between channeled rails of the respective molding strip (not shown), may be concealed behind the respective mounted patterned strip. Thus, it is beneficial for mounting strip to be of greater length than molding strip.
Referring now to FIG. 10, a[0048]corner piece90, likecorner portion82 ofcorner piece80, conveniently includes a curvedfront face94 disposed between generally planar sides96. Instead of the curved front face, sides96 could, for instance, extend to form a right-angle corner.Sides96 may advantageously includeslots98 for receiving ends (end35 indicated) of mounted patterned strips. In addition,corner piece90 conveniently includes aflat back surface99 for, as shown in FIG. 11, facing a wall corner to overcome common irregularities in wall corners. As indicated in FIG. 10,corner piece90 may be made of wood.
Like[0049]corner piece80, use ofcorner piece90 advantageously avoids 45° mitering of molding strips12 to form corners. Instead, as indicated in FIG. 11, sides96 of this corner piece conveniently butt against900 ends15 of molding strips12. Conveniently, as indicated,corner piece90 and the abutting molding strips are of substantially the same height, in which case it can be appreciated that the decorative look of the mounted corner is similar to that provided bycorner piece80 of FIG. 9.
With reference to FIG. 12, an[0050]outer corner piece100, likeinner corner piece90, conveniently includes acurved face104 and generallyplanar sides106, which may advantageously include slots108 (only one shown) for receiving ends of mounted patterned strips34 (only one shown). Disposed betweencurved face104 andsides106 are generally planar front faces109, which could extend to form a right-angle corner instead of the curved front face.
Like[0051]inside corner piece90, use ofouter corner piece100 advantageously avoids 45° mitering of molding strips12 to form a corner. Instead, as indicated in the Figure, sides106 of the corner piece conveniently butt against 90° ends15 of molding strips12. As may be readily appreciated,slots98 ofcorner piece90 andslots108 ofcorner piece100 are beneficially similar in structure and function toslots88. Accordingly, reference may be made to the earlierdescription regarding slots88.
Various modifications may be made to a decorative border assembly in accordance with the present invention, some of which have been described. It is therefore apparent that the present invention may be carried out with various modifications without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims as indicating the scope of the invention.[0052]