Column end surround assembly

Abstract

A panel system includes four panels that are coupled together to form a column end surround.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure relates to panel systems, such as generally flat sections used in building, construction and other applications, including in walls, siding, flooring, soffits, ceilings, tiling, shelving, furniture and like. In non-limiting examples, a system of panels form a column end surround assembly.SUMMARY

[0002] A column end surround system in an example comprises a first panel including a first lock joint, a second panel rotatably coupled to the first panel using a first joint, a third panel rotatably coupled to the second panel using a second joint, and a fourth panel rotatably coupled to the third panel using a third joint, the fourth panel including a second lock joint, the first lock joint and the second lock joint operable to cooperatively couple the first panel to the fourth panel.

[0003] In examples, the first lock joint and the second lock joint are a locking miter joint.

[0004] In examples, the first joint, the second joint, and the third joint are a v-groove. In examples, a distance between a vertex and an exterior surface is about .030 inches.

[0005] In examples, the first panel, the second panel, the third panel, and the fourth panel are formed from a 5 / 8 inch thick material.

[0006] In examples, the first panel, the second panel, the third panel, and the fourth panel have a substantially equal length.

[0007] A method in some examples for assembling a column end surround system, the column end surround system including a first panel, a second panel, a third panel, and a fourth panel, the method comprising rotating the second panel relative to the third panel, rotating the fourth panel relative to the third panel, rotating the first panel relative to the second panel, and coupling the first panel to the fourth panel when a first lock joint formed on the first panel engages a second lock joint formed on the fourth panel.

[0008] In examples, an adhesive is applied to the second joint and the third joint before rotating the fourth panel and the second panel.

[0009] A method in some examples for manufacturing a column end surround system, the method comprising forming a first joint in a sheet of material to define a first panel, forming a second joint in the sheet to define a second panel, forming a third joint in the sheet to define a third panel and a fourth panel, forming a first lock joint in the first panel, and forming a second lock joint in the fourth panel.

[0010] In some examples, the sheet is 5 / 8 inch thick material.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a column end surround system in a disassembled configuration in one example;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the column end surround system of FIG. 1 in an assembled configuration.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of transitioning the column end surround system of FIG. 1 from a disassembled configuration to an assembled configuration.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a detail view of a joint in one example.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a detail view of a lock joint in one example.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example method for manufacturing the system of FIG. 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The following description is intended to convey examples and details involving a panel assembly forming a column end surround. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to these specific examples and details, which are exemplary only. It is further understood that one possessing ordinary skill in the art, in light of known devices, systems and methods, would appreciate the use of the invention for its intended purposes and benefits in any number of alternative examples.

[0018] Generally speaking, panel systems of the present invention are generally flat sections used in building, construction and other applications, including in walls, siding, flooring, ceiling, soffits, tiling, shelving, furniture and like. In one described but non- limiting example, a panel system of the present disclosure includes a plurality of panels that are coupled together to provide a column end surround. The plurality of panels are joined together to form a single unit to provide an exterior siding surface of a building that covers a surface, such as an end of a column of a building. The system can be used at a base and a capital ("cap") ends of a column. Multiple assemblies implementing the system may be included in a kit, such as with a respective base assembly and a cap assembly. The exterior surfaces or outward-faces of the panels of each assembly may include decorative 2-dimensional and / or 3-dimensional ornamental design. Such designs may be the same for a base and cap assembly or may have different designs. By including one or more pairs of base and cap assemblies in a kit, there is improved ease of installation for column installers and consistency of materials and designs for the column ends of each column. As used herein, the terms "horizontal" and "vertical" are not intended to be limited to a specific orientation and reflect generally perpendicular sides, edges or ends with respect to one another. The references of "horizontal" and "vertical" as describing one example of the disclosure are intended to continue to reference the respective edge, side or end in other examples where a panel or panel system is provided in another orientation relative to the ground or horizon.

[0019] In various examples, the panels and their components may be made from solid or foamed polymers, such as vinyl or cellular polyvinyl chloride (PVC). However, the examples are not so limited. The panels and their components may be made from any known or later-developed material used for siding and building panels including, but not limited to, wood, aluminum, steel and other metals, polymer materials, plastics, masonry, stone, brick, concrete, composites and combinations thereof. Panels of various materials may be shaped by extrusion, milling, molding, and the like. One having ordinary skill in the art would understand how to apply the teachings of various materials and panel manufacturing methods to various examples of the invention.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, an example system 100 of panels that form a column end surround. The system 100 includes a first panel 102, a second panel 104, a third panel 106, and a fourth panel 108. In an implementation, the first panel 102, the second panel 104, the third panel 106, and the fourth panel 108 are generally elongated and planar and substantially flat. In an implementation, the first panel 102, the second panel 104, the third panel 106, and the fourth panel 108 are formed from a 5 / 8 inch thick material and have a substantially equal length. Although four panels are shown, the disclosure is not limited as such and any suitable number of panels may be used depending on the shape of the column.

[0021] In an implementation, the first panel 102 is rotatably coupled to the second panel 104 via a first joint 110. The second panel 104 is rotatably coupled to the third panel 106 via a second joint 112. The third panel 106 is rotatably coupled to the fourth panel 108 via a third joint 114. In an implementation, the first joint 110, the second joint 112, and the third joint 114 are a v-groove. In an implementation, a distance d from a vertex of at least one of the first joint 110, the second joint 112, and the third joint 114 to an exterior surface 120 is about .030 inches.

[0022] In an implementation, the first panel 102 includes a first lock joint 116, and the fourth panel 108 includes a second lock joint 118. The first lock joint 116 and the second lock joint 118 cooperatively couple the first panel 102 to the fourth panel 108, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In an implementation, the first lock joint 116 and the second lock joint 118 are a locking miter joint.

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart for assembling the system 100. In an implementation, the fourth panel 108 and the second panel 104 are rotated relative to the third panel 106. In an implementation, an adhesive is applied to the second joint 112 and the third joint 114 before rotating the fourth panel 108 and the second panel 104. The first panel 102 is then rotated relative to the second panel 104 until the first lock joint 116 engages the second lock joint 118 to cooperatively couple the first panel 102 to the fourth panel 108. The steps provided in FIG. 3 may be performed in the order shown, or in another order, without departing from the disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 6 shows a method 200 for manufacturing the system 100. At step 202, the first joint 110 is formed in a sheet of material to define the first panel 102. At step 204, the second joint 112 is formed in the sheet to define the second panel 104. At step 206, the third joint 114 is formed in the sheet to define the third panel 106 and the fourth panel 108. At step 208, the first lock joint 116 is formed in the first panel 102 and the second lock joint 118 is formed in the fourth panel 108. The steps provided in FIG. 6 may be performed in the order shown, or in another order, without departing from the disclosure.

[0025] While various preferred examples have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional examples may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

Claims

1. A column end surround system comprising:a first panel including a first lock joint;a second panel rotatably coupled to the first panel using a first joint;a third panel rotatably coupled to the second panel using a second joint; anda fourth panel rotatably coupled to the third panel using a third joint, the fourth panel including a second lock joint, the first lock joint and the second lock joint operable to cooperatively couple the first panel to the fourth panel.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first lock joint and the second lock joint are a locking miter joint.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first joint, the second joint, and the third joint are a v-groove.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein a distance between a vertex and an exterior surface is about .030 inches.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first panel, the second panel, the third panel, and the fourth panel are formed from a 5 / 8 inch thick material.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first panel, the second panel, the third panel, and the fourth panel have a substantially equal length.

7. A method for assembling a column end surround system, the column end surround system including a first panel, a second panel, a third panel, and a fourth panel, the method comprising:rotating the second panel relative to the third panel;rotating the fourth panel relative to the third panel;rotating the first panel relative to the second panel; andcoupling the first panel to the fourth panel when a first lock joint formed on the first panel engages a second lock joint formed on the fourth panel.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein a first joint rotatably couples the first panel to the second panel, a second joint rotatably couples the second panel to the third panel, and a third joint rotatably couples the third panel to the fourth panel.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:applying an adhesive to the second joint and the third joint before rotating the fourth panel and the second panel.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the first joint, the second joint, and the third joint are a v-groove.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein a distance between a vertex and an exterior surface is about .030 inches.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the first panel, the second panel, the third panel, and the fourth panel are formed from a 5 / 8 inch thick material.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein the first panel, the second panel, the third panel, and the fourth panel have a substantially equal length.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein the first lock joint and the second lock joint are a locking miter joint.

15. A method for manufacturing a column end surround system, the method comprising:forming a first joint in a sheet of material to define a first panel;forming a second joint in the sheet to define a second panel;forming a third joint in the sheet to define a third panel and a fourth panel;forming a first lock joint in the first panel; andforming a second lock joint in the fourth panel.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first lock joint and the second lock joint are a locking miter joint.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the first joint, the second joint, and the third joint are a v-groove.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein a distance between a vertex and an exterior surface is about .030 inches.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the sheet is 5 / 8 inch thick.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the first panel, the second panel, the third panel, and the fourth panel have a substantially equal length.

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