Hidden Bracket Trim System for Building Penetrations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for securing trim around building penetrations, such as windows, require exposed fasteners that mar the surface and involve complex processes due to the irregularities of building surfaces, necessitating a simpler method that hides fasteners and allows for pre-finished trim installation.
Innovation Solution
A hidden bracket system with offsetting tabs and locking wedges allows for trim attachment without visible fasteners, using pre-fabricated trim pieces that can be aligned and secured to the wall before siding is installed, utilizing tabs and striations for precise positioning and chamfered slots for secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional exposed fasteners are used to secure trim, then the trim can be firmly attached to the wall, but the fasteners mar the surface of the trim and require complex cleanup processes
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function is extracted from the trim piece itself and relocated to a separate bracket that is attached to the wall. The bracket contains the fasteners and mounting holes, while the trim piece remains clean and free of exposed fasteners. The trim engages with the bracket through a recessed slot and locking mechanism, achieving secure attachment without surface marring.
Solution Approach 2:
A bracket serves as an intermediary component between the wall and the trim piece. This mediator contains all the fastening elements and provides a mounting surface for the trim, thereby protecting the trim's surface from direct contact with fasteners while still achieving secure attachment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional exposed fasteners are used to secure trim, then the trim can be attached to irregular building surfaces, but the installation process becomes complex requiring filler, leveling, and multiple finishing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: a bracket for wall mounting and a trim piece for aesthetic coverage. The bracket handles all adaptation to irregular surfaces through its fastening mechanism, while the trim piece maintains its simple, clean design. This segmentation separates the complex adaptation function from the aesthetic function.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex fastening and adaptation functions are extracted from the trim piece and placed in the bracket. This allows the trim to be a simple, pre-finished aesthetic element while the bracket handles all the complexity of adapting to irregular building surfaces through adjustable mounting holes and secure fastening mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If trim is installed after siding is pre-fit, then the trim can be precisely positioned, but accessing the wall for fastener installation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is pre-assembled with all necessary fasteners and mounting hardware before the trim installation. This preliminary preparation allows the bracket to be quickly attached to the wall in the precise position needed, even after siding is in place, without requiring difficult access for fastener installation during the final trim fitting.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for installing and securing a trim system adjacent an edge of a building penetration, the trim system including at least one bracket that is attachable to a wall. The bracket having a center channel having opposed first and second side walls, at least one locking wedge located along each opposed side wall, and at least one tab extending outwardly from a side wall for gauging bracket distance from the edge of the penetration. The trim system also including at least one trim piece that is attachable to the bracket, the trim including at least two longitudinally extending slots disposed within the hidden surface of the trim for receiving the at least one locking wedge located along each opposed side wall of the bracket.