Flexible Inside Corner Trim with Hinge Depressions

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for finishing inside corners in buildings, such as drywall taping and cove molding, are time-consuming and often fail to provide a smooth, aesthetically pleasing appearance due to the rigidity of materials and unevenness of wall surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A flexible inside corner trim piece made of extruded or molded material with hinge portions featuring a longitudinal concave depression, allowing for better conformance to irregularities, and optionally embedded lighting or paintable surfaces, to create a smooth and cosmetically appealing finish.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cove molding is applied at inside corners, then the joints are concealed, but the material rigidity prevents conformance to irregular wall surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint concealmentVSAvoidconformance to irregular surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by using a flexible trim material with a thickness less than 0.125 inches that can be bent and shaped to conform to irregular wall surfaces at inside corners, replacing traditional rigid cove molding while maintaining joint concealment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of material rigidity by selecting a flexible material with specific thickness constraints (less than 0.125 inches), enabling the material to adapt to irregular surfaces while still providing effective joint coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If drywall taping is used to finish inside corners, then the joints are sealed, but considerable skill and time are required to achieve a pleasing appearance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint sealingVSAvoidfinishing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by pre-forming the trim material with adhesive backing that allows it to be applied directly to corners in a single step, eliminating the multiple steps of taping, compounding, and sanding required in traditional drywall finishing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible trim material is self-adhering and self-shaping, requiring minimal installer skill to achieve a professional finish by simply pressing the material into place where it conforms to the corner geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Stability of the object's composition

If rigid cove molding is used, then structural stability is provided, but the appearance is uneven on irregular walls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidappearance uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible thin film material that can be conformedly applied to irregular surfaces, achieving uniform appearance by adapting to the underlying geometry rather than requiring perfectly flat installation surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11193668B2Inside corner trim product

Publication Date: 2021.12.07 AMUNDSON TECH LLC

AI summary

A flexible inside corner trim piece is formed with concave depressions at hinge portions where wings attach to the body. The trim piece can be formed such that wings and a top cap lay flat in plane perpendicular to body or wings and top cap curve at an angle. Hinge portions can be narrow or wide and symmetrical or asymmetrical. The trim piece can be dyed, paintable, or present another decorative surface. The trim piece can include embedded lighting.