Corner piece for structures

Abstract

A corner piece has two or more arcuate legs extending along different directions which meet at an intersection. Each leg has an exposed edge facing away from the intersection, and at least one leg has a shoulder between the respective exposed edge and the intersection. The shoulder faces away from the intersection and a gusset extends from the exposed edge of the leg with the shoulder towards and beyond the shoulder.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/138,570 filed May 26, 2005, for “Gusseted and Recessed-Leg Area Corner Caps”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a corner piece for structures.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Corner pieces, together with strips of plastic or metal, are commonly used by residential and commercial builders to finish corners at the intersections of wallboard (drywall such as Sheetrock™, gypsum board, etc.). This is frequently the case when a rounded corner appearance is desired.

Many wall edging and corner finishing systems use a corner piece in combination with flanged plastic or metal strips. The flanges of a strip are secured, e.g., nailed, to wallboard in the region of a corner so that the strip lies against and is aligned with a corner piece mounted in the corner. The strip and corner piece are then spackled and painted, for example.

Metal strips are prone to damage, e.g., kinks or dents, which typically require the strip to be replaced or restored. Nonetheless, metal strips remain in fairly widespread use in the trade. Thus, in order to avoid excessive handling or manipulation of a strip which, can result in damage, corner pieces should be designed for easy alignment with a strip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, an article or piece for the corners of structures comprises a first arcuate leg having opposed first longitudinal ends which are spaced in a first direction and a second arcuate leg having opposed second longitudinal ends which are spaced in a second direction. The second direction is transverse to the first direction and has an intersection therewith, and the second arcuate leg has a first edge which is located at one of the ends of the second arcuate leg and faces away from the intersection. The second arcuate leg further has a second edge which runs along the second direction, and the second arcuate leg includes a first portion which extends from the first edge to a predetermined location between the first edge and the intersection. The second arcuate leg also includes a second portion which extends from the predetermined location towards the intersection, and the second arcuate leg is provided with a shoulder at the predetermined location running transverse to the second direction. The corner article or piece additionally comprises at least one mounting element which is fast with the second edge and extends from the first edge towards and beyond the shoulder. The mounting element is preferably substantially planar

The first leg can be substantially identical to the second leg.

The mounting element may be provided with an opening for securing the mounting element to a surface. Such opening advantageously constitutes the sole opening in the mounting element.

The mounting element can have a maximum width transverse to the second direction and the second arcuate element can have a chord length less than such maximum width.

The second arcuate leg can have another edge running along the second direction. An additional mounting element can be fast with this other edge and can again extend from the first edge towards and beyond the shoulder on the second arcuate leg. The additional mounting element and the other mounting element may both be planar and may define substantially perpendicular planes.

The first portion of the second arcuate leg may have a first length while the second portion has a second length greater than the first length. The first portion and the second portion can have substantially the same thickness.

The longitudinal end of the second arcuate leg which is spaced from the first edge may abut one of the longitudinal ends of the first arcuate leg and define a corner therewith.

The first arcuate leg can have a first additional edge which is located at one of the longitudinal ends of the first arcuate leg and faces away from the intersection of the first and second directions. The first arcuate leg can also have a second additional edge which runs along the first direction, and the first arcuate leg may include a first additional portion which extends from the first additional edge to an additional predetermined location between the first additional edge and the intersection. The first arcuate leg may further include a second additional portion which extends from the additional predetermined location towards the intersection, and the first arcuate leg can be provided with an additional shoulder at the additional predetermined location running transverse to the first direction. An additional mounting element may be fast with the second additional edge of the first arcuate leg and may extend from the first additional edge towards and beyond the additional shoulder.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating one embodiment of a corner piece according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the corner piece of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of a corner piece in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the corner piece of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of an additional embodiment of a corner piece according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the corner piece of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a corner piece according to the invention in combination with two strips.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a further embodiment of a corner piece in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the corner piece of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a view of the corner piece of FIG. 8 as seen in the direction of the arrow X of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the numeral 2 identifies an article according to the invention which can be used for the corners of structures, e.g., residential or commercial buildings. The article 2, which can be referred to as a corner piece or corner cap, may be employed, for example, to finish a corner of a structure.

The corner piece 2, which may be termed a three-way corner piece, comprises three elongated arcuate legs 4a, 4b and 4c which radiate from a central, rounded corner member or corner element 6 of the corner piece 2. The legs 4a,4b,4c extend along respective directions or straight lines X, Y and Z, and each of the legs 4a,4b,4c has an axis running in the respective direction X,Y,Z. The three directions X,Y,Z, as well as the three axes of the legs 4a,4b,4c, are here perpendicular to one another and have an intersection A in the region of the corner member 6.

Each of the legs 4a,4b,4c here defines an arc having an included angle of 90°. The legs 4a,4b,4c each have a concave side and a convex side with only the convex sides being visible in FIGS. 1 and 2. The corner member 6 likewise has a concave side and a convex side with only the convex side being visible in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Each of the legs 4a,4b,4c has a longitudinal end which is fast with the corner member 6 and an opposite longitudinal end which is spaced from the corner member 6. The latter longitudinal end of each leg 4a,4b,4c is provided with an exposed edge 16 which faces away from the intersection A and is transverse to the respective direction X,Y,Z.

Each of the legs 4a,4b,4c further has two generally parallel side edges 12a and 12b which run longitudinally of the corresponding leg 4a,4b,4c in the respective direction X,Y,Z. The side edges 12a, 12b of each leg 4a,4b,4c, which are spaced from one another transversely of the respective leg 4a,4b,4c, extend along the entire length of the corresponding leg 4a,4b,4c.

Each of the legs 4a,4b has an outer portion 14a which extends from the respective exposed edge 16 to a location between such edge 16 and the corner member 6. Each of the legs 4a,4b additionally has an inner portion 14b which is fast with the corresponding outer portion 14a and runs from such outer portion 14a to the corner member 6. At the location where the outer portion 14a and the inner portion 14b of a leg 4a,4b are joined to one another, the respective leg 4a,4b is provided with a shoulder or step 76 on the convex side thereof. The shoulders 76, which extend transverse to the respective directions X,Y, face away from the corner member 6 and the intersection A.

A non-illustrated shoulder running transverse to the respective direction X,Y can be formed on the concave side of each leg 4a,4b at the location where the outer portion 14a meets the respective inner portion 14b. In contrast to the shoulders 76, such non-illustrated shoulders face the corner member 6 and the intersection A.

The outer portion 14a of each leg 4a,4b preferably has the same thickness as the corresponding inner portion 14b. The inner portion 14b of each leg 4a,4b advantageously has a greater length than the respective outer portion 14a. For instance, the inner portion 14b of a leg 4a,4b may have a length equal to about two-thirds of the overall length of the respective leg 4a,4b.

The legs 4a,4b can be identical. The legs 4a,4b,4c here all have the same length.

The side edge 12b of the leg 4a and the side edge 12a of the leg 4b are perpendicular to one another and define a plane. A flat or planar gusset, flange or mounting member 10a is located in such plane, and the gusset 10a is generally in the form of a square. The gusset 10a has a straight edge which is fast with the side edge 12b of the leg 4a and a straight edge which is fast with the side edge 12a of the leg 4b. These two straight edges, which have the same length, are bridged by a curved edge of the gusset 10a which is fast with a rounded edge of the corner member 6. The gusset 10a also has two exposed straight edges of the same length including one which extends from and is coplanar with the exposed edge 16 of the leg 4a and another which extends from and is coplanar with the exposed edge 16 of the leg 4b. The exposed straight edges of the gusset 10a, which are slightly longer than the two other straight edges of the gusset 10a, meet and form a corner diagonally across from the curved edge of the gusset 10a. The gusset 10a runs from the exposed edge 16 towards the shoulder 76 of the leg 4a and beyond the shoulder 76 to the corner member 6 and the leg 4b. Similarly, the gusset 10a runs from the exposed edge 16 towards the shoulder 76 of the leg 4b and beyond the shoulder 76 to the corner member 6 and the leg 4a.

The side edge 12b of the leg 4b and the side edge 12a of the leg 4c are perpendicular to one another and define a plane. A flat or planar gusset, flange or mounting member 10b is located in such plane, and the gusset 10b is in the form of a square having four straight edges of the same length. One edge of the gusset 10b is fast with the side edge 12b of the leg 4b while an adjoining edge of the gusset 10b is fast with the side edge 12a of the leg 4c. The remaining two edges of the gusset 10b are exposed, and one exposed edge of the gusset 10b extends from and is coplanar with the exposed edge 16 of the leg 4b. The other exposed edge of the gusset 10b extends from and is coplanar with the exposed edge 16 of the leg 4c. The gusset 10b runs from the exposed edge 16 towards the shoulder 76 of the leg 4b and beyond the shoulder 76 to the corner member 6 and the leg 4c. The gusset 10b also runs the entire length of the leg 4c from the exposed edge 16 of the leg 4c to the corner member 6 and the leg 4b.

The side edge 12b of the leg 4c and the side edge 12a of the leg 4a are perpendicular to one another and define a plane. A flat or planar gusset, flange or mounting member 10c is located in such plane, and the gusset 10c is in the form of a square having four straight edges of the same length. One edge of the gusset 10c is fast with the side edge 12b of the leg 4c while an adjoining edge of the gusset 10c is fast with the side edge 12a of the leg 4a. The remaining two edges of the gusset 10c are exposed, and one exposed edge of the gusset 10c extends from and is coplanar with the exposed edge 16 of the leg 4c. The other exposed edge of the gusset 10c extends from and is coplanar with the exposed edge 16 of the leg 4a. The gusset 10c runs the entire length of the leg 4c from the exposed edge 16 of the leg 4c to the corner member 6 and the leg 4a. Furthermore, the gusset 10c runs from the exposed edge 16 towards the shoulder 76 of the leg 4a and beyond the shoulder 76 to the corner member 6 and the leg 4c.

Each of the gussets 10a, 10b, 10c defines a plane, and the planes defined by the gussets 10a, 10b, 10c are here mutually perpendicular.

The gussets 10a,10b,10c can be provided with openings 13 to allow nails or other fasteners to be driven through the corner piece 2 without cracking or otherwise damaging the corner piece 2.

Each of the legs 4a,4b,4c has a width or chord length W1 while each of the gussets 10a,10b,10c has a width W2. It is preferred for the chord length W1 of the legs 4a,4b,4c to be less than the width W2 of the gussets 10a, 10b, 10c, i.e., for the gussets 10a, 10b, 10c to be wider than the legs 4a,4b,4c. This design can be of advantage, for example, when the corner piece 2 is installed at the junction of two sections of wallboard. Such design then enables an edging strip which is intended to be aligned with a leg 4a,4b,4c of the corner piece 2 but is slightly out of alignment therewith to nevertheless be attached to the corner piece 2 rather than the wallboard. Moreover, the relatively great width of the gussets 10a, 10b, 10c provides an increased surface area which permits good adherence of the corner piece 2 to surfaces adjoining a corner even if the corner is imperfect.

As mentioned earlier, the gussets 10a, 10b, 10c run the lengths of the legs 4a,4b,4c. Consequently, the outer portions 14a of the legs 4a,4b are less susceptible to chipping and breaking than would be the case otherwise. Furthermore, the gusset 10a fills in the approximately square space which is bounded on two sides by the legs 4a,4b and in one corner by the corner member 6; the gusset 10b fills in the square space which is bounded on two sides by the legs 4b,4c; and the gusset 10c fills in the square space which is bounded on two sides by the legs 4c,4a. As a result, the strength of the corner piece 2 is increased. The gussets 10a, 10b, 10c also increase the durability of the corner piece 2, particularly when the corner piece 2 is installed in corners which are not formed properly.

The shoulders 76 and the outer portions 14a of the legs 4a,4b make it possible to fit edge strips to the corner piece 2 relatively easily and rapidly. Such edge strips, which are placed over the outer portions 14a of the legs 4a,4b prior to being nailed or otherwise secured to the corner piece 2, tend to be in better alignment with the corner piece 2 following installation.

The corner member 6, the legs 4a,4b,4c and the gussets 10a, 10b, 10c of the corner piece 2 are advantageously integral. The corner piece 2 is preferably formed from a single piece of plastic.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate another embodiment of an article which is designed in accordance with the invention and can be used for the corners of structures, e.g., residential or commercial buildings. The article of FIGS. 3 and 4, which is denoted by the numeral 20 and can be referred to as a corner piece or corner cap, may be employed, for example, to finish a corner of a structure.

The corner piece 20, which may be termed a three-way corner piece, comprises three elongated arcuate legs 22, 24 and 26. The legs 22,24,26 extend along respective directions or straight lines X, Y and Z, and each of the legs 22,24,26 has an axis running in the respective direction X,Y,Z. The two directions X,Y, as well as the two axes of the legs 22,24, here define an angle of 135°. On the other hand, the direction Z and the axis of the leg 26 are perpendicular to the directions X,Y and the axes of the legs 22,24.

The leg 26 defines an arc having an included angle of 135° while each of the legs 22,24 defines an arc having an included angle of 90°. The legs 22,24,26 each have a concave side and a convex side with the concave sides being visible in FIG. 3 and the convex sides being visible in FIG. 4.

The leg 26 is located between the legs 22,24 and has a longitudinal end 28 which can be considered a central corner region of the corner piece 20. The two legs 22,24 radiate from, and have respective longitudinal ends which are fast with, the longitudinal end 28 of the leg 26. The three directions X,Y,Z, as well as the three axes of the legs 22,24,26, have an intersection A at or near the longitudinal end 28.

Each of the legs 22,24,26 has a longitudinal end which is spaced from the longitudinal end 28 of the leg 26. The longitudinal end of each leg 22,24,26 which is spaced from the longitudinal end 28 of the leg 26 is provided with an exposed edge 78 which faces away from the intersection A and is transverse to the respective direction X,Y,Z.

The longitudinal end 28 of the leg 26 is rounded, and the leg 26 is provided with two generally parallel side edges 30a and 30b which extend from the longitudinal end 28. Each of the legs 22,24 likewise has two generally parallel side edges 30a and 30b which extend from the longitudinal end 28 of the leg 26, and the side edges 30a,30b of each leg 22,24,26 are spaced from one another transversely of the respective leg 22,24,26. The side edges 30a,30b of each leg 22,24,26 run longitudinally of the corresponding leg 22,24,26 in the respective direction X,Y,Z with the side edges 30a,30b of the legs 22,24 extending along the entire length of the corresponding legs 22,24.

The leg 26 has an outer portion 80a which extends from the respective exposed edge 78 to a location between such edge 78 and the longitudinal end 28 of the leg 26. The leg 26 additionally has an inner portion 80b which is fast with the outer portion 80a and runs the remaining length of the leg 26. At the location where the outer portion 80a and the inner portion 80b are joined to one another, the leg 26 is provided with a shoulder or step 82 on the convex side thereof. The shoulder 82, which extends transverse to the respective direction Z, faces away from the longitudinal end 28 of the leg 26 and the intersection A.

A shoulder 84 running transverse to the direction Z can be formed on the concave side of the leg 26 at the location where the outer portion 80a meets the inner portion 80b. In contrast to the shoulder 82, the shoulder 84 faces the longitudinal end 28 of the leg 26 and the intersection A.

The outer portion 80a of the leg 26 preferably has the same thickness as the inner portion 80b. The inner portion 80b of the leg 26 advantageously has a greater length than the outer portion 80a. For instance, the inner portion 80b may have a length equal to about two-thirds of the overall length of the leg 26.

The legs 22,24 can be identical and may have the same length.

The side edge 30b of the leg 22 and the side edge 12a of the leg 24 make an angle of 135° with one another and define a plane. A flat or planar gusset, flange or mounting member 32a is located in such plane, and the gusset 32a has a straight edge which is fast with the side edge 30b of the leg 22 and a straight edge which is fast with the side edge 30a of the leg 24. The gusset 32a further has a curved edge which bridges these two straight edges and is fast with an edge of the longitudinal end 28 of the leg 26. In addition, the gusset 32a has three exposed straight edges including one which extends from and is coplanar with the exposed edge 78 of the leg 22 and another which extends from and is coplanar with the exposed edge 78 of the leg 24. These two exposed edges of the gusset 32a are connected to each other by the third exposed edge of the gusset 32a, and the three exposed edges of the gusset 32a form three sides of a trapezoid. The gusset 32a runs the entire length of each leg 22,24 from the exposed edge 78 of the respective leg 22,24 to the leg 26.

The side edge 30b of the leg 24 and the side edge 30a of the leg 26 are perpendicular to one another and define a plane. A flat or planar gusset, flange or mounting member 32b is located in such plane, and the gusset 32b is in the form of a square having four straight edges of the same length. One edge of the gusset 32b is fast with the side edge 30b of the leg 24 while an adjoining edge of the gusset 32b is fast with the side edge 30a of the leg 26. The remaining two edges of the gusset 32b are exposed, and one exposed edge of the gusset 32b extends from and is coplanar with the exposed edge 78 of the leg 24. The other exposed edge of the gusset 32b extends from and is coplanar with the exposed edge 78 of the leg 26. The gusset 32b runs the entire length of the leg 24 from the exposed edge 78 of the leg 24 to the leg 26. Furthermore, the gusset 32b runs from the exposed edge 78 of the leg 26 towards the shoulder 82 and beyond the shoulder 82 to the leg 24.

The side edge 30b of the leg 26 and the side edge 30a of the leg 22 are perpendicular to one another and define a plane. A flat or planar gusset, flange or mounting member 32c is located in such plane, and the gusset 32c is in the form of a square having four straight edges of the same length. One edge of the gusset 32c is fast with the side edge 30b of the leg 26 while an adjoining edge of the gusset 10c is fast with the side edge 30a of the leg 22. The remaining two edges of the gusset 32c are exposed, and one exposed edge of the gusset 32c extends from and is coplanar with the exposed edge 78 of the leg 26. The other exposed edge of the gusset 32c extends from and is coplanar with the exposed edge 78 of the leg 22. The gusset 32c runs from the exposed edge 78 towards the shoulder 82 of the leg 26 and beyond the shoulder 82 to the leg 22. Furthermore, the gusset 32c runs the entire length of the leg 22 from the exposed edge 78 of the leg 22 to the leg 28.

Each of the gussets 32a,32b,32c defines a plane, and the planes defined by the gussets 32a,32b,32c are here mutually perpendicular.

The gussets 32a,32b,32c can be provided with openings 34 to allow nails or other fasteners to be driven through the corner piece 20 without cracking or otherwise damaging the corner piece 20.

Each of the two legs 22,24 has a width or chord length W4 while each of the two gussets 32b,32c has a width W3. It is preferred for the chord length W4 of the legs 22,24 to be less than the width W3 of the gussets 32b,32c, i.e., for the gussets 32b,32c to be wider than the legs 22,24. As outlined previously, this design enables an edging strip which is intended to be aligned with one of the legs 22,24 of the corner piece 20 but is slightly out of alignment therewith to nevertheless be attached to the corner piece 20. The relatively great width of the gussets 32b,32c also provides an increased surface area which permits good adherence of the corner piece 20 to surfaces adjoining a corner even if the corner is imperfect.

It was noted earlier that the gussets 32b,32c run the length of the leg 26. Consequently, the outer portion 80a of the leg 26 is less susceptible to chipping and breaking than would be the case otherwise. Furthermore, the gusset 32a fills in the approximately triangular space which is bounded on two sides by the legs 22,24 and in one corner by the longitudinal end 28 of the leg 26; the gusset 32b fills in the square space which is bounded on two sides by the legs 24,26; and the gusset 32c fills in the square space which is bounded on two sides by the legs 26,22. As a result, the strength of the corner piece 20 is enhanced. The gussets 32a,32b,32c also increase the durability of the corner piece 20, especially when the corner piece 20 is installed in corners which are not formed properly.

The shoulder 82 and the outer portion 80a of the leg 26 make it possible to fit an edge strip to the corner piece 20 relatively easily and rapidly. Such an edge strip, which is placed over the outer portions 80a of the leg 26 prior to being nailed or otherwise secured to the corner piece 20, tends to be in better alignment with the corner piece 20 following installation.

The legs 22,24,26 and the gussets 32a,32b,32c of the corner piece 20 are advantageously integral and can be formed from a single piece of plastic.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an additional embodiment of a corner piece or corner cap according to the invention. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the same numerals as in FIGS. 1 and 2, plus 100, are used to denote corresponding elements.

The corner piece 102 of FIGS. 5 and 6 is similar to the corner piece of FIGS. 1 and 2 but differs therefrom in two main respects. To begin with, the gussets 110a, 110b, 110c of the corner piece 102 are triangular or approximately triangular rather than square or approximately square. Thus, the gusset 110a fills in the approximately triangular space which is bounded on two sides by the legs 104a, 104b and in one corner by the corner member 106; the gusset 110b fills in the triangular space which is bounded on two sides by the legs 104b, 104c; and the gusset 110c fills in the triangular space which is bounded on two sides by the legs 104c, 104a. In certain applications, the triangular gussets 110a, 110b, 110c have been found to provide better cohesion between the corner piece 102 and strips which abut the corner piece 102.

Secondly, each of the gussets 110a, 110b, 110c is provided with only one opening 113 for nail or other fastener which is to attach the corner piece 102 to a structure.

As is the case for the corner piece 2 of FIGS. 1 and 2, the corner member 106, the legs 104a, 104b, 104c and the gussets 110a, 110b, 110c of the corner piece 102 are advantageously integral. The corner piece 102 is preferably formed from a single piece of plastic.

The legs 104a,104b,104c of the corner piece 102, which are mutually perpendicular, can define angles different from 90° with one another, e.g., an angle of 135°.

A non-illustrated shoulder extending transverse to the direction Z and facing away from the intersection A can be provided at the junction of the leg 104c and the corner member 106 on the convex side of the leg 104c and the corner member 106.

Referring to FIG. 7, the same numerals as in FIGS. 1 and 2, plus 200, are used to denote similar elements.

In FIG. 7, a corner piece 202 is shown in combination with two strips 62 and 64 of the type used to finish the corners of buildings. The corner piece 202 is similar to the corner piece 102 of FIGS. 5 and 6 but differs therefrom in that a shoulder 278 is formed at the junction of the leg 204c and the corner member 206. The shoulder 278, which is located on the convex side of the leg 204c and the corner member 206, faces away from the corner member 206 and towards the exposed edge 216 of the leg 204c.

The strip 62 is positioned over the convex side of the outer portion 214a of the leg 204b with one end of the strip 62 in abutment with the shoulder 276 on the leg 204b. The strip 64 runs perpendicular to the strip 62 and is positioned over the convex side of the leg 204c with one end of the strip 64 abutting the shoulder 278 at the junction of the leg 204c and the corner member 206. The end of the strip 62 which abuts the shoulder 276 on the leg 204b confronts and can abut the strip 64.

A further embodiment of a corner piece in accordance with the invention is shown in FIGS. 8-10 where the same numerals as in FIGS. 1 and 2, plus 300, are used to denote similar elements.

The corner piece 302 of FIGS. 8-10 comprises two elongated arcuate legs 304a and 304b having respective longitudinal ends which are joined to one another and form a corner 306. The legs 304a,304b extend along respective directions or straight lines X and Y, and each of the legs 304a,304b has an axis running in the respective direction X,Y. The two directions X,Y, as well as the two axes of the legs 304a,304b, are here perpendicular to one another and have an intersection A in the region of the corner 306.

Each of the legs 304a,304b here defines an arc having an included angle of 90°. The legs 304a,304b each have a convex side partially visible in FIG. 8 and a concave side partially visible in FIG. 9.

Each of the legs 304a,304b has a longitudinal end which is spaced from the corner 306, and the latter longitudinal end of each leg 304a,304b is provided with an exposed edge 316 which faces away from the intersection A and is transverse to the respective direction X,Y.

Each of the legs 304a,304b further has two generally parallel side edges 312a and 312b which run longitudinally of the corresponding leg 304a,304b in the respective direction X,Y. The side edges 312a,312b of each leg 304a,304b, which are spaced from one another transversely of the respective leg 304a,304b, extend along the entire length of the corresponding leg 304a,304b.

Each of the legs 304a,304b has an outer portion 314a which extends from the respective exposed edge 316 to a location between such edge 316 and the corner 306. Each of the legs 304a,304b additionally has an inner portion 314b which is fast with the corresponding outer portion 314a and runs from such outer portion 314a to the corner 306. At the location where the outer portion 314a and the inner portion 314b of a leg 304a,304b are joined to one another, the respective leg 304a,304b is provided with a shoulder or step 376 on the convex side thereof. The shoulders 376, which extend transverse to the respective directions X,Y, face away from the corner 306 and the intersection A.

A shoulder 390 running transverse to the respective direction X,Y can be formed on the concave side of each leg 304a,304b at the location where the outer portion 314a meets the respective inner portion 314b. In contrast to the shoulders 376, the shoulders 390 face the corner 306 and the intersection A.

The outer portion 314a of each leg 304a,304b preferably has the same thickness as the corresponding inner portion 314b. The inner portion 314b of each leg 304a,304b advantageously has a greater length than the respective outer portion 314a.

The legs 304a,304b can be identical. The legs 304a,304b here have the same length.

The side edges 312a of the legs 304a,304b are perpendicular to one another and define a plane. A flat or planar gusset, flange or mounting member 310a is located in such plane and has an edge consisting of two straight sections which radiate from the corner 306 and are perpendicular to each other. These edge sections of the gusset 310a, which have the same length, run along and are fast with the respective side edges 312a of the legs 304a,304b.

In the showing of FIGS. 8 and 9, the gusset 310a resembles an inverted V with a flattened apex. The gusset 310a extends from the exposed edge 316 of the leg 304a towards and beyond the shoulder 376 of the leg 304a and around the corner 306 to the exposed edge 316 of the leg 304b. Conversely, the gusset 310a extends from the exposed edge 316 of the leg 304b towards and beyond the shoulder 376 of the leg 304b and around the corner 306 to the exposed edge 316 of the leg 304a.

The gusset 310a has an exposed edge which runs from the exposed edge 316 of the leg 304a around the corner 306 and to the exposed edge 316 of the leg 304b. The exposed edge of the gusset 310a is made up of several straight sections including one which is parallel to the side edge 312a of the leg 304a and another which is parallel to the side edge 312a of the leg 304b. A series of openings 313a is arranged in a straight row alongside the exposed edge section of the gusset 310a which parallels the side edge 312a of the leg 304a. Similarly, a series of openings 313a is disposed in a straight row alongside the exposed edge section of the gusset 310a which parallels the side edge 312a of the leg 304b. The openings 313a serve for attachment of the corner piece 302 to a surface.

Like the side edges 312a, the side edges 312b of the legs 304a,304b are perpendicular to one another and define a plane. A flat or planar gusset, flange or mounting member 310b normal to such plane has a straight edge which runs along and is fast with the side edge 312b of the leg 304a. In a similar fashion, a flat or planar gusset, flange or mounting member 310c normal to the plane defined by the side edges 312b of the legs 304a,304b has a straight edge which runs along and is fast with the side edge 312b of the leg 304b.

The gussets 310b,310c meet along a straight line which is not visible in the drawings and forms an extension of the corner 306 defined by the legs 304a,304b. The gusset 310b has an exposed edge consisting of two straight sections which define an obtuse angle with one another. One exposed edge section of the gusset 310b extends parallel to the side edge 312b of the leg 304a and runs from the intersection of the gussets 310b,310c along part of the length of the leg 304a. The other edge section of the gusset 310b bridges the exposed edge 316 of the leg 304a and that edge section of the gusset 310b which parallels the side edge 312b of the leg 304a.

The gusset 310c likewise has an exposed edge consisting of two straight sections which define an obtuse angle with one another. One exposed edge section of the gusset 310c extends parallel to the side edge 312b of the leg 304b and runs from the intersection of the gussets 310b,310c along part of the length of the leg 304b. The other edge section of the gusset 310c, which is not visible in the drawings, bridges the exposed edge 316 of the leg 304b and that edge section of the gusset 310c which parallels the side edge 312b of the leg 304b. The gussets 310b,310c have the same dimensions.

The gusset 310b extends from the exposed edge 316 of the leg 304a towards and beyond the shoulder 376 of the leg 304a and to the intersection with the gusset 310c. On the other hand, the gusset 310c extends from the exposed edge 316 of the leg 304b towards and beyond the shoulder 376 of the leg 304b and to the intersection with the gusset 310b.

The gusset 310b is provided with a single opening 313b near the intersection of the two exposed edges of the gusset 310b, and the opening 313b serves for attachment of the corner piece 302 to a surface. The gusset 310c has a corresponding opening which is not visible in the drawings.

Each of the gussets 310a,310b,310c defines a plane, and the planes defined by the gussets 310a,310b,310c are here mutually perpendicular.

In the corner piece 302, the gussets 310a,310b,310c again run the lengths of the legs 304a,304b so that the outer portions 314a of the legs 304a,304b are less susceptible to chipping and breaking than would be the case otherwise. The gussets 310a,310b,310c additionally increase the durability of the corner piece 302.

As before, the shoulders 376 and the outer portions 314a of the legs 304a,304b make it possible to fit edge strips to the corner piece 302 relatively easily and rapidly. Such edge strips, which are placed over the outer portions 314a of the legs 304a,304b prior to being nailed or otherwise secured to the corner piece 302, tend to be in better alignment with the corner piece 302 following installation.

The legs 304a,304b and the gussets 310a,310b,310c of the corner piece 302 are advantageously integral. The corner piece 302 may be formed from a single piece of plastic.

Various modifications are possible within the meaning and range of equivalence of the appended claims. For instance, the legs 4a,4b,4c of the corner piece 2; the legs 22,24,26 of the corner piece 20; the legs 104a,104b,104c of the corner piece 102; the legs 204b,204c of the corner piece 202; and the legs 304a,304b of the corner piece 302 can define angles other than those illustrated.

Claims

1. An article for the corners of structures comprising:

a first arcuate leg having opposed first longitudinal ends which are spaced in a first direction;

a second arcuate leg having opposed second longitudinal ends which are spaced in a second direction, said second direction being transverse to said first direction and having an intersection therewith, and said second arcuate leg having a first edge which is located at one of said second longitudinal ends and faces away from said intersection, said second arcuate leg further having a second edge which runs along said second direction, and said second arcuate leg including a first portion which extends from said first edge to a location between said first edge and said intersection, said second arcuate leg also including a second portion which extends from said location towards said intersection, and said second arcuate leg being provided with a shoulder at said location running transverse to said second direction; and

at least one mounting element fast with said second edge and extending from said first edge towards and beyond said shoulder.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein said at least one mounting element is substantially planar.

3. The article of claim 1, wherein said at least one mounting element is provided with a single opening for securing said at least one mounting element to a surface.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein said second arcuate leg has an additional edge running along said second direction; and further comprising an additional mounting element fast with said additional edge and extending from said first edge towards and beyond said shoulder.

5. The article of claim 4, wherein said at least one mounting element and said additional mounting element are substantially planar and define substantially perpendicular planes.

6. The article of claim 1, wherein said first arcuate leg and said second arcuate leg are substantially identical.

7. The article of claim 1, wherein said first arcuate leg has a first additional edge which is located at one of said first longitudinal ends and faces away from said intersection, said first arcuate leg also having a second additional edge which runs along said first direction, and said first arcuate leg including a first additional portion which extends from said first additional edge to an additional location between said first additional edge and said intersection, said first arcuate leg additionally including a second additional portion which extends from said additional location towards said intersection, and said first arcuate leg being provided with an additional shoulder at said additional location running transverse to said first direction; and further comprising an additional mounting element fast with said second additional edge and extending from said first additional edge towards and beyond said additional shoulder.

8. The article of claim 1, wherein said first portion has a first length and said second portion has a second length greater than said first length.

9. The article of claim 1, wherein said first portion and said second portion have substantially the same thickness.

10. The article of claim 1, wherein said at least one mounting element has a maximum width transverse to said second direction, said second arcuate element having a chord length less than said maximum width.

11. The article of claim 1, wherein one of said first longitudinal ends abuts the other of said second longitudinal ends and defines a corner therewith.