Structural column wrap assembly

Abstract

A wrap assembly for a structural column extending between a bottom support and an overhead support includes a pair of similar, mating, elongated, molded plastic shaft sections each section having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a pair of side edges extending between those surfaces and an integral flange projecting from the exterior surface at one end of that shaft section. The shaft sections are shaped and dimensioned so that when the sections are juxtaposed with their interior surfaces facing one another and their side edges in abutment, the sections form a substantially continuous tubular shaft with an integral fastening cleat, defined by the flanges, at one end of the shaft by which the shaft may be secured to one of the supports. An annular fastening cleat surrounds the other end of the shaft for fastening to the other support to fix the other end of the shaft. Mating molded plastic base and capitol sections surround the shaft sections adjacent to the flanges and cleat, respectively, to add decoration and to cover the fasteners.

Description

[0001]This invention relates to support columns for residential and commercial structures. It relates especially to a column wrap assembly for providing added girth and an exterior finish to an otherwise unfinished support or structural column in a building.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Conventionally in order to wrap or cover a support or structural column, squaring blocks are fastened to the floor and overhead support around the column. These blocks function as internal nailing cleats to which wall-forming boards may be attached. These walls together form a tubular shaft that surrounds the column. Alternatively, internal blocks or cleats may be attached to those walls that constitute the column wrap such that the walls connect through the internal cleats to the structural column itself; see for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,912,901 and 5,335,471.[0003]Those prior column wraps with internal nailing cleats are disadvantaged in that their installation is labor intensive, requiring the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]A further object of the invention is to provide an assembly of this type which is relatively easy and inexpensive to make in quantity.

[0012]Yet another object of the invention is to provide such an assembly which may be installed easily in a minimum amount of time.

[0018]An important advantage of the present construction over prior comparable column wraps is that the present assembly is completely independent of the column which it surrounds enabling it to be placed in various positions with respect to that column. This allows the assembly to be made vertical even though the structural column within is not. Also, a row such wraps can be aligned perfectly, even though the columns within may be out of alignment. Yet, even with these advantages, the present assembly is relatively easy and inexpensive to make and, since it is composed of a minimum number of parts, it is easy to install even by relatively inexperienced personnel.

Problems solved by technology

Those prior column wraps with internal nailing cleats are disadvantaged in that their installation is labor intensive, requiring the proper cutting, aligning and fastening of various separate squaring blocks or cleats.

In addition, the installation of that wrap assembly is labor intensive in that it requires the measuring and attaching of many separate parts.

All of the aforesaid existing wrap assemblies which are connected either directly or indirectly to the structural columns within those wraps must be centered on those columns or, if offset therefrom, the offsetting can only be accomplished with difficulty.

Consequently, they are costly to make and to install.

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