Apparatus and kit for creating a visual-reveal gap between a wall and a trim

Abstract

An apparatus (10) and a kit for installing an associated trim (90) relative to an associated wall (70) supportable on a wall support (80), the apparatus (10) comprising a front portion (160) offset from a rear portion (150) and an edge portion (170) disposed between the front and rear portions (160 and 150). The rear portion (150) of the apparatus (10) defines a mating ledge (180) running along the apparatus length (Z) and parallel to a trim straight reference line (Y), and aligned to project toward and mate into at least one receiving canal (120) of the associated trim (90) running along the trim straight reference line (Y). The assembly of the apparatus (10), the trim (90) and the wall (70) against the wall support (80) creates a visual-reveal gap spanning along the length (Z) of the apparatus (10) and positioned between a top edge (110) of the trim (90) and the edge portion (170) of the apparatus (10).

Description

APPARATUS AND KIT FOR CREATING A VISUAL-REVEAL GAP BETWEEN A WALL AND A TRIMFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to wall arrangements and more specifically an apparatus for creating a gap wall visual reveal easily and correctlyBACKGROUND

[0002] Particularly in the world of custom and upscale interior-home decoration and renovation, the concept of a gap wall is familiar and desirable.

[0003] In housing, conventional walls (in the form of drywall / gypsum / plaster boards) run from ceiling to floor or ceiling to baseboard (trim).

[0004] A gap wall presents an apparent space (or gap) / illusion such that the wall appears suspended from the floor or trim when viewed from certain positions.

[0005] Custom creating gap wall visual reveals is difficult for numerous reasons(coordinating trades, non-parallel floors and ceilings, aligning the baseboard and wall to run a gap in parallel, etc.), and there has been at least one attempt to devise an easier solution for creating a gap wall visual reveal without heavy customized labour.

[0006] US9428922 is an example of an apparatus for creating a gap wall visual reveal that abuts against and supports a wall, and a trim (baseboard) is attached to the apparatus.

[0007] There are however major difficulties US9428922 including having two separate engagements to mate the trim to the apparatus.

[0008] Apart from the need to manufacture two separate and intricate engagement pieces, US9428922 is deficient also because any difficulty in lining up two separate engagement pieces will result in the reveal future being permanently skewed (the reveal feature will not run parallel to the trim.

[0009] Yet another difficulty with US9428922 using two separate engagement pieces is a susceptibility to breakage of multiple weakened parts (124, 126, 112, 114) required to cooperate with each other in order to assemble a finished product.

[0010] The weakened parts in US9428922 similarly cause difficulty when attempting to create a long visual reveal and having to assemble separate apparatus pieces side-by-side.

[0011] The exact same deficiencies and defects are also present in US10174510,US20150107174, and US20160362898, and so there remains a need to have a gap wall visual reveal apparatus having a simple one-piece engagement system for assembly regardless of whether the apparatus is being mated to a trim or creating a long-reveal by placing apparatus pieces side-by-side.

[0012] There also remains a need to create a gap wall visual reveal by simple single assembly to ensure the visual reveal runs parallel to the trim.

[0013] There is also a need to create a gap wall visual reveal using sturdy pieces not susceptible to breakage during assembly.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention is a simplified apparatus and kit for installing an associated baseboard relative to an associated wall supportable on a wall support, wherein the apparatus rear face defines a mating ledge running along the apparatus length and parallel to a baseboard straight reference line, and aligned to project toward and mate into any baseboard receiving canal similarly running along the same straight reference line, for creating a gap wall visual reveal.DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the gap wall apparatus.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a side view of the gap wall apparatus in FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG 3. is a perspective view of the associated baseboard.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of the apparatus being assembled to a wall, wall support, and baseboard.

[0019] FIG. 5 is is a perspective assembled view of FIG. 3 with additional finishing.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a side view of one embodiment showing the apparatus and baseboard with straight edges.

[0021] FIG. 7 is a side view of a second embodiment showing the apparatus and baseboard with convex edges.

[0022] FIG. 8 is a side view of a third embodiment showing the apparatus and baseboard with concave edges.

[0023] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment showing the apparatus with an optional flush mount face and optional embedded light for illuminating the visual reveal area.DESCRIPTION

[0024] FIG. 1 shows generally an offset apparatus (10) for installing an associated baseboard (20) relative to an associated wall (70) supportable on a wall support (80).

[0025] In this following description, the present invention is described in relation to a baseboard (20) with an understanding that all baseboards (20) are trims, but not all trims are baseboards (20).

[0026] The present invention relates to associated trims, and the present drawings show a baseboard (20) as an exemplary embodiment only.

[0027] A trim is a decorative outline or border to clean the appearance of abutting surfaces (in building construction), such as around window panes (not shown), doors (not shown), vents (not shown), skylights (not shown), and floors - as in the case of baseboards (20).

[0028] A trim can be made from any of wood, porcelain, poly-vinyl-chloride, composite wood, stone, composite stone, glass, composite glass, and more.

[0029] Typically the apparatus (10) is - with respect to decorative appearance - is manufactured in a rectangular prism variety (as in FIG. 6 generally), but may also be manufactured to feature either of convex (30) or concave (50)-style varieties (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 generally).

[0030] The apparatus (10), just as the trim, can also be made from any of wood, porcelain, polyvinylchloride plastic, composite wood, stone, composite stone, glass, composite glass, and more.

[0031] In the FIG. 1 embodiment, the associated baseboard (20) is shown as a generic rectangular-prism variety, but convex (40) or concave (60)-style varieties are also possible.

[0032] The associated baseboard (20) can be of almost any shape or decorative variety, so long as same ultimately discloses or obeys a straight reference line principle (discussed below).

[0033] The associated baseboard (20) has a defined length (X), front face (90), rear face (100), top edge (110), and at least one receiving canal (120) embedded along the baseboard rear face (100) to define and run along a straight reference line (Y) along the baseboard defined length (X).

[0034] When dealing with wood baseboards (20), any number of receiving canals (120) can be easily created using a simple table-saw, which will guarantee all canals (120) will run straight along the reference line (Y).

[0035] Cutting the canal (120) using a table-saw results in a canal (120) following along reference line (Y), but any line or marker parallel to the canal (120) produces the same result.

[0036] While it is possible to have multiple receiving canals (120) in a single baseboard (20), most instances of the present invention will typically provide one receiving canal (120) only.

[0037] Multiple canals (120) would be more appropriate for use in massmanufacture orders requiring on-site last-minute flexibility with respect to visual-reveal sizing.

[0038] In most settings where apparatus (10) is likely to be used, the associated wall (70) will probably be a drywall / gypsum / plasterboard / composite material-type wall, affixed against a wall support (80) typically of wood or other suitable material like steel.

[0039] The wall (70) can also be made of any material in a desire to compliment either of the trim or apparatus (10), and so the wall may be of gypsum, wood, stone, porcelain, glass, or other suitable material.

[0040] The associated wall (70) has a front face (130) and a rear face (140).

[0041] The apparatus (10) is typically manufactured as an extruded poly-vinyl- chloride-type plastic.

[0042] The apparatus (10) has a defined length (Z), rear portion (150), front portion (160), and an edge portion (170) disposed between the front (160) and rear portions (150) running parallel to the baseboard (20) straight reference line (Y).

[0043] The apparatus (10) rear portion (150) defines a mating ledge (180) running along the apparatus length (Z) and parallel to the baseboard (20) straight reference line (Y).

[0044] The apparatus (10) also defines, throughout the front portion (160), a plurality of openings (190), through which drywall paste (210) can be applied for cosmetic finishing.

[0045] The apparatus (10) also can, for cosmetic enhancement, define a finishing ledge (200) running along the apparatus (10) length (Z), and conventionally would run parallel to either of the baseboard (20) top edge (110) or the baseboard (20) straight reference line (Y).

[0046] The mating ledge (180) is, aligned to project toward and mate into any one of the baseboard (20) receiving canals (120) according to preset desire.

[0047] A visual-reveal feature is formed when the apparatus (10), the baseboard (20), and the wall (70) are all assembled together against the wall support (80).

[0048] Assembly can be defined in two stages, meaning one stage of assembly involves mating the apparatus (10) relative to the baseboard (20) and wall (70) per the following, and a second stage involves the application of drywall paste (210) for visual and aesthetic finishing (demonstrated generally in FIG. 5).

[0049] While it would be possible to not provide the aesthetic finishing touch of drywall paste (210), not doing so would be (pragmatically speaking) nonsensical - the lack of finishing would distract from the desired visual-reveal illusion.

[0050] Alternatively, the assembly can provide a flush mount face as in FIG. 9 to bypass any need for drywall paste (210) while still satisfying decorative requirements.

[0051] The apparatus (10) in an alternate embodiment can also, as shown in FIG. 9, have embedded within a retaining chamber (230) portion a light source such as a light bulb, light emitting diode (LED) or a string / strip of light bulbs or string / strip of LEDs to emit and light up the visual gap reveal area.

[0052] The retaining chamber (230) portion is constructed to be sufficient to hold a light or lights within while providing an opening to allow light to project over the visual gap reveal area.

[0053] In terms of, and upon assembling:

[0054] a) the apparatus (10) rear portion (150) is situated between the baseboard (20) rear face (100) and the wall support (80);

[0055] b) the mating ledge (180) inserts into the baseboard (20) receiving canal (120);

[0056] c) the wall (70) is situated between the apparatus (10) front portion(160) and the wall support (80);

[0057] d) the visual-reveal feature spans along the apparatus length (Z) between the baseboard (20) top edge (110) and the apparatus edge portion (170);

[0058] e) the visual-reveal feature defines a recess toward the wall support(80), of preset height and depth; and

[0059] f) the recess runs uniformly along and in parallel to the baseboard(20) straight reference line (Y).

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for installing an associated trim relative to an associated wall supportable on a wall support comprising: i) the associated trim having a defined length, front face, rear face, top edge, and at least one receiving canal embedded along the trim rear face to define and run along a straight reference line along the trim length; ii) the wall having a front and rear face; iii) the apparatus having a defined length, rear portion, front portion, and an edge portion disposed between the front and rear portions running parallel to the associated trim straight reference line; iv) the apparatus rear portion defining a mating ledge running along the apparatus length and parallel to the trim straight reference line, aligned to project toward and mate into any one of the trim receiving canals; v) a visual-reveal feature formed when the apparatus, the trim, and the wall are all assembled together against the wall support; andvi) upon assembling: a) the apparatus rear portion is situated between the trim rear face and the wall support; b) the mating ledge inserts into the at least one trim receiving canal; c) the wall is situated between the apparatus front portion and the wall support; d) the visual-reveal feature spans along the apparatus length between the trim top edge and the apparatus edge portion; e) the visual-reveal feature defines a recess toward the wall support, of preset height and depth; and f) the recess runs uniformly along and in parallel to the trim straight reference line.

2. The apparatus in claim 1 further comprising a defined finishing ledge at the junction of the apparatus front portion and the apparatus edge portion.

3. The apparatus in claim 2 wherein the finishing ledge runs along the apparatus length.

4. The apparatus in claim 3 wherein the finishing ledge runs in parallel to the trim straight reference line along the apparatus length.

5. The apparatus in claim 2 wherein the finishing ledge runs in parallel to the trim top edge.

6. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein apparatus front face defines a plurality of openings for receiving wall paste therethrough.

7. The apparatus in claim 1 further comprising a finishing plate mounted to the apparatus front portion.

8. A kit for creating a gap wall visual reveal comprising: i) a trim having a defined length, front face, rear face, top edge, and at least one receiving canal embedded along the trim rear face running a straight reference line along the trim defined length; ii) an apparatus for associating with the trim and having a defined length, rear portion, front portion, and an edge portion between the front and rear portions runningparallel to the trim straight reference line; iii) the apparatus rear portion defining a mating ledge running along the apparatus length and parallel to the trim straight reference line, aligned to project toward and mate into any one of the trim receiving canals; and iv) a visual-reveal feature formed when the apparatus and the trim are assembled and attached to an associated wall and wall support, and upon assembling: a) the apparatus rear portion is situated between the trim rear face and the associated wall support; b) the mating ledge inserts into the at least one trim receiving canal; c) the associated wall is situated between the apparatus front portion and the associated wall support; d) the visual-reveal feature spans along the apparatus length between the trim top edge and the apparatus edge portion; e) the visual-reveal feature defines a recess toward the associated wall support, of preset height and depth; and f) the recess runs uniformly along and in parallel to the trim straight reference line.

9. The kit in claim 8 wherein the apparatus defines a finishing ledge at the junction of the apparatus front portion and the apparatus edge portion.

10. The kit in claim 9 wherein the finishing ledge runs along the apparatus length.

11. The kit in claim 9 wherein the finishing ledge runs in parallel to the trim straight reference line along the apparatus length.

12. The kit in claim 9 wherein the finishing ledge runs in parallel to the trim top edge.

13. The kit in claim 8 wherein the apparatus front face defines a plurality of openings for receiving wall paste therethrough.

14. The kit in claim 8 further comprising a finishing plate for attachment to the apparatus front portion.

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