Adjustable baseboard and molding system

Abstract

A baseboard system includes baseboard units through which conduits extend carrying heated fluids, and moldings about the free ends of the baseboards, to provide a generally uniform external surface configuration. The moldings are in the nature of conventional moldings made of wood, pressed wood, plastic or the like. The use of the moldings with the baseboards provides an efficient, cost-effective system that produces a uniform appearance and facilitates cleaning.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 255,326, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,152 on Aug. 14, 2007.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention generally relates to baseboard heaters, and, more specifically, to an efficient baseboard and molding system that provides sufficient heat exchange with desired heat distribution patterns while providing a substantially continuous profile having a substantially continuous external surface configuration along a selected portion of a wall of an enclosure to be heated. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] Numerous baseboard heaters have been proposed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,033 to Cali discloses a functional baseboard panel that includes a heat transfer tube and a non-functional panel. This non-functional panel provides symmetry in the room and allows for expansion if more functional panels are ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a baseboard system as in the previous objects which effectively provides a continuous member projecting forwardly from the wall that has a substantially continuous external profile or surface configuration, that thereby eliminates edges and corners in the regions of the lateral or free ends of the baseboards, to enhance the appearance of the installation and to facilitate cleaning in the corners at the free ends of the baseboards while preventing damage to the baseboards themselves as well as possibly to vacuum cleaners or other cleaning devices used to clean around the baseboards.

[0025] Preferably, in one embodiment the baseboard unit is formed of three vertically spaced horizontal members, a space between a lower member and an intermediate member forming an inlet opening for admitting ambient air into said baseboard unit and a space between said intermediate member and an upper member forming an outlet opening for discharging heated air. The lowermost members are preferably hollow and can serve as conduits for power and data cables. These members can advantageously be at least partially disassembled to simplify installation and to be at least partially removable to allow servicing of the floor, including finishing, sanding and refinishing.

Problems solved by technology

However, in both cases, there is no suggestion that baseboard units be used in conjunction with matching, non-functional moldings.

However, shelving is used in conjunction with the ventilating system cabinet so that there is no real symmetry or uniform appearance between the heating cabinet and the adjoining shelving.

However, while the room obtained its required BTUs the heat was not optimally distributed, with the bulk of the heat being provided at the exposed walls.

While this could be achieved with a 10′ baseboard on one exposed wall using the conventional 600 BTU per foot units, there would be an even greater deterioration in the distribution of heat as the heat distribution would be quite uneven in the room making it less comfortable for the occupant(s).

An alternative arrangement of a 4′ baseboard on the 15′ wall and 6′ baseboard on the 20′ wall would be better, but still uneven, and both solutions are less than desirable.

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