DECORATIVE JOINT SYSTEM
A decorative system is provided which consists of a decorative assembly, which is in at least tow parts having a first elongate member and a second elongate member. The parts cooperate with each other and a support means, which is adapted for attachment to a wall to provide support for the assembly. The elongate members are adapted to be attached to the support means in positions such that they are both in contact with the support and in part are both in contact with the wall. The assembly is easy to adjust in-situ, easy to assemble and is easy to replace with minimum disruption to flooring and decoration.
The present invention relates to a decorative joint system for use in decorative or architectural features for the ornamentation or finishing of a room or other environment, and in particular, although not exclusively, to decorative systems for use as skirting, architraving, picture rails, chair rails, and dado rails.
BACKGROUND ARTA variety of skirting systems, picture rails, dado rails and other such decorative or finishing items or assemblies are known. In certain known systems, the elongate members in the form of skirting boards, one-piece picture rails or other such rails are affixed to walls by simply nailing, or by drilling and screwing into the wall. The accurate positioning and attachment of such elongate members represents a problem, and one that may require a significant amount of skill to overcome. Also, when such elongate members are attached to a wall (and it will be understood that the term wall is being used here in a very general sense, and for example in the case of architraving may refer to a surface around a doorway, which may be horizontal or vertical) it is necessary to exercise care when decorating; the elongate members are typically left in place when decorating, and care must be taken not to adversely effect the finish of the elongate members, for example by splashing them with paint used to decorate the adjacent wall surfaces. Thus, with such existing decorative systems a significant amount of skill is required to decorate a wall or environment in which they are affixed. In addition such prior art systems are not easily replaced in part or whole when an alternative profile or aesthetic impact is desired.
In DE4036712 there is disclosed an edging strip for a wall base, which has a rigid recycled PVC support and two attachable flexible PVC covers which can be rolled up.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,289 there is disclosed a plastic retaining clip for trunking, which includes a fixing base attached locally to a longitudinal wall of a base section of the trunking and a retaining flap which is articulated to the fixing base and can move from a standby position, in which it allows unrestricted access to the underlying interior volume of the base section, to a service position, in which it closes that interior volume at least partly, extending substantially transversely relative to it.
In GB2174254 there is disclosed a surface mount trunking system having a backing plate adapted to receive numerous system components which may be snap-fitted.
In EP0637864 there is disclosed a PVC raceway assembly which includes a base and removable cover defining internal channels with discrete conductive shields mounted in each channel and a latching member is removably mounted between the cover and the base continuously along coextending lengths of the latching member and the cover, the latching member being in interfering relation to cover movements required for removal of the cover from the base.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention aims to provide decorative systems, which obviate or mitigate at least one of the problems associated with the prior art. Particular embodiments aim to provide decorative systems, which are both aesthetically pleasing and yet are relatively easy to fit and which facilitate subsequent decorating and if desired may easily be replaced. In preferred embodiments the present invention provides a new joint system, which enables in particular, but not exclusively, wood based decorative or architectural features to be assembled as an alternative to conventional wood based decorative or architectural features. The new joint system is of particular benefit for the assembly of wooden wood based decorative or architectural systems such as skirting boards, picture rails, dido rails, architrave, chair rails and the like.
According to the present invention there is provided a joint system for decorative or architectural features comprising: an assembly comprising a first elongate member and a second elongate member, and support means adapted for attachment to a wall to provide support for the assembly, the first elongate member being adapted to be attached to the support means via a first attachment means in a first position in which the first elongate member is in contact with the support and in part is in contact with the wall, the second elongate member attached to the support via a second attachment means in a second position in which the second elongate member is in contact with the support and in part is in contact with the wall substantially parallel to the first elongate member attached in the first position.
The first and second elongate members and support means are adapted to interlock with each other ether directly or indirectly. This interlocking arrangement provides for a robust joint between the components, which under suitable applied pressure to the second elongate member may easily be separated.
In further embodiments the support means may be adapted for attachment to a wall along a desired line to provide support for the assembly along said line. In this arrangement the first and second elongate members may extend along the desired line when the support means is attached to the wall.
In further embodiments the first attachment means may be arranged to non-releasably or irreversibly attach the first elongate member to one or more support means. The support means may comprise an elongate support member, and this may be supplied in a form with the first elongate member pre-attached, e.g. with adhesive and/or with another form of attachment means between the support and first elongate member. In this embodiment a single support means may be attached to a single first elongate member. In a further embodiment there may be a plurality of support means attached to a single first elongate member. In a further embodiment there may be a plurality of first elongate members attached to a single support means.
In further embodiments the first attachment means may be arranged to releasably attach the first elongate member to the support means. For example, the first attachment means may be adapted such that the first elongate member is attachable to the support means by aligning the first elongate member in a position spaced from the wall in front of the support means attached to the wall and translating the aligned first elongate member towards the wall to said first position.
In further embodiments the second attachment means may be adapted to releasably attach the second elongate member to the support means attached to a wall. For example, the second attachment means may be arranged such that the second elongate member is attachable to the support means by firstly positioning the second elongate member against the wall and alongside the support means, the second elongate member extending in a direction generally parallel to the desired line, and secondly translating the second elongate member from this initial position towards the support in a plane parallel to the wall surface and into engagement with the support.
In further embodiments the support means comprises an elongate support member having a longitudinal axis. Then, the support member may comprise a plurality of fixing apertures spaced apart along said longitudinal axis for receiving fixing screws to attach the support member to a wall. For example, the plurality of fixing apertures may comprise a plurality of fixing slots, each fixing slot extending generally transversely to the longitudinal axis.
In further embodiments the first attachment means comprises an attachment members provided on the support member, and arranged to protrude in a direction generally away from a wall to which the support member is attached, and a corresponding recesses provided on the first elongate member to receive and engage the attachment member when the first elongate member is in the first position. In further embodiments the first attachment means may comprise a plurality of attachment members provided on the support member, and arranged to protrude in a direction generally away from a wall to which the support member is attached, and a plurality of corresponding recesses provided on the first elongate member to receive and engage the plurality of attachment members when the first elongate member is in the first position. The attachment member may comprise a rib protruding from a surface of the support member and extending along a length of the support member. The corresponding recess may, for example, comprise a longitudinal slot.
In further embodiments the first attachment means comprises a second attachment member e.g. rib protruding from a surface of the support member and extending along a length of the support member, in parallel arrangement to the first attachment member or rib, and a second corresponding recess e.g. longitudinal slot, provided on the first elongate member.
In further embodiments the first attachment means comprises adhesive arranged to attach the first elongate member to the support member.
In further embodiments the second attachment means comprises one or more attachment members provided on the support member, and arranged to protrude in a direction generally parallel to a wall to which the support member is attached, and one or more corresponding attachment members e.g. recesses, provided on the second elongate member to receive and engage the attachment member(s) of the support member when the second elongate member is in the second position. The attachment member of the second attachment means may, for example, comprise a rib attachment member extending along a length of the support member. The corresponding recess on the second elongate member may then comprise a longitudinal slot.
In further embodiments the rib attachment member of the second attachment means is arranged so as to be spaced from and parallel to a surface of a wall to which the support member is attached. In this embodiment the corresponding recess on the second elongate member is also arranged to be parallel to the surface of the wall.
In further embodiments the support member and assembly are adapted such that when the assembly members are attached to the support means, at least one longitudinal channel for routing a wire or cable is defined between the support member and at least one of the elongate members.
In further embodiments the first and second elongate members are adapted such that when attached to the support means in the first and second positions, a surface of the first elongate member abuts a surface of the second elongate member.
In further embodiments one of the first and second elongate members comprises a mating rib preferably elongate and the other one of the first and second elongate members comprises a corresponding mating slot or recess preferably elongate for receiving and engaging the mating rib, the arrangement being such that when the first and second elongate members are attached to the support means in the first and second positions, the mating rib is received in and engaged by the mating slot. There may be a plurality of mating ribs and corresponding mating slots on each one of the first and second elongate members. Preferably, there is a single mating rib and corresponding mating slot on one of the first and second elongate members. The mating rib and slot may be substantially rectangular in cross-section or preferably may be a taper fit with each other.
In a further embodiment the first attachment means of the support may comprise a second attachment member arranged to protrude from the support in a direction generally parallel to a wall to which the support member is attached. This second attachment member of the first attachment means may, for example like the first attachment member of the second attachment means, comprise a rib attachment member extending along a length of the support member. Likewise the second rib attachment member of the first attachment means may be arranged so as to be spaced from and parallel to a surface of a wall to which the support member is attached. The corresponding recess for the second attachment means on the first elongate member is also arranged to be parallel to the surface of the wall. However, this second rib attachment member is orientated to be in the opposing direction to that of the first attachment member on the support, which is associated with the second attachment means. This second attachment member engages with a slot provided in the first elongate member, which is preferably proximate to the mating slot of the first elongate member. In a preferred embodiment this slot is associated with the mating slot of the first elongate member, which accommodates the mating rib of the second elongate member. In this embodiment the mating slot of the first elongate member is modified to accommodate both the mating rib of the second elongate member and the rib of the second attachment member.
In further embodiments the second elongate members comprises at least one mating surface e.g. a slot, located on an internal surface exposed to the support means and the support means comprises a resilient mating rib extending from a support means surface exposed to the second elongate member. During engagement of the second elongate member with the support means the resilient mating rib deforms to enable it to be placed into locking engagement with the mating surface. In a preferred embodiment this locking feature is present in the assembly in cooperative combination with the second attachment means and the elongate mating rib/elongate mating slot arrangement between the first and second members. In further embodiments the second elongate member has an engagement surface, which is contacted by the mating rib before it engages with the mating surface, during assembly of the joint. This engagement surface may be a sloped region preceding the mating slot and which forms a surface from the mating rib of the second elongate member and the mating surface. In a further embodiment this engagement surface may also comprise a point narrowing proximate to the mating surface and this may be present in combination with the sloped region. This point narrowing reduces the distance between the second elongate member and the support means compared to the distance between the mating surface and the support means.
The joint may be assembled in various ways. The support is attached to a wall or solid surface and the first elongate member is secured to the support. At this point the second elongate member may be brought into contact with the support and first elongate member to effect the joint. In one embodiment the one or more attachment means e.g. ribs provided on the support member and the corresponding attachment means e.g. slots or recesses on the second elongate member are brought into contact with each other at the same time as the elongate mating rib of the second elongate member is brought into contact with the elongate mating slot of the first elongate member. In this position the second elongate member is now engaged with both the support and the first elongate member and the joint is partially formed. In one embodiment at this stage the resilient mating rib may be in contact (substantially non-deformed contact) with a sloping engagement surface or point narrowing on the second elongate member. In an alternative embodiment the resilient mating rib may not be in contact with the second elongate member at this point but is brought into contact with a sloping engagement surface or point narrowing on the second elongate member as this member is further moved into engagement with the support and first elongate member. As engagement proceeds, once the resilient mating rib is in contact with the second elongate member, the resilient mating rib deforms and is eventually lockingly engaged with the mating surface of the second elongate member as it is fully engaged with the support and first elongate member.
During assembly engagement of the second elongate member with both the support means and the first elongate member prior to significant deformation of the resilient mating rib ensures that there is a relatively limited degree of spatial i.e. lateral movement perpendicular to the plane of engagement of the second elongate member relative to the support means and first elongate member. After this point in order for assembly to be completed the mating rib of the support, which is made of resilient material must deform in contact with the sloping engagement surface so that it may move into contact and engagement with the mating surface or if present to move past the region of narrowing in order to engage with the mating surface. In a further embodiment the surface of the second elongate member upon which the mating surface is located is not parallel to the support. In a further embodiment there is a stopping surface associated with the matting surface such that during assembly the mating rib engages with the mating surface and abuts the stopping surface. In a further embodiment the support is resilient and is preferably manufactured from a resilient plastic, which is capable of being deformed during assembly of the joint. The use of such a support aids the locking mechanism by allowing the support to partially accommodate some of the deformation force, which would otherwise be accommodated by the resilient mating rib of the support thus putting less pressure on the resilient mating rib during assembly of the joint. When assembly is completed the resilient support and resilient mating rib are in the non-deformed state.
In further embodiments at least one of the assembly's elongate members is a moulding.
In further embodiment the assembly does not comprise a separate support means and first elongate member. In this embodiment the function of the support member and first elongate member are provided by a single assembly component having both functions. In this embodiment instead of two separate mouldings there is provided a single moulding.
In further embodiments the joint system comprises an additional component being a third elongate member and a third attachment means adapted to attach the third elongate member to the support means, when the support means is attached to the wall, in a third position in which the third elongate member extends along the line, alongside and substantially parallel to the first and second elongate members attached in the first and second positions. In this embodiment first and second elongate members may be arranged to engage with the third elongate member to form the joint. In one embodiment the first and second elongate members may be identical and both have the features of a first elongate member as hereinbefore described. In this embodiment the third elongate member incorporates features of the second elongate member as hereinbefore described, which are necessary to enable the first elongate members to engage and lock with the support and third elongate member. The third elongate member may be symmetrical offering these locking features proximate at two of its opposing edges. The resulting joint may therefore be symmetrical about the third elongate member.
The joint system may be incorporated into such decorative or architectural systems as skirting boards, picture rails, dido rails, architrave, chair rails, framing, cornicing and the like.
In a further embodiment when the joint is used in a skirting board arrangement the skirting board arrangement may comprise a cable management recess, which is located in the first elongate member at a surface, which is proximate to a floor on completion of the skirting board assembly.
The support may be of varying lengths, which correspond with the lengths of the first, second and/or third elongate members. The support may longer or shorter in length than the first, second and/or third elongate members; in this arrangement short sections of support may be bridged by longer sections of the first, second and/or third elongate members. It is therefore possible to extend the decorative or architectural feature to any desirable length incorporating first, second and/or third elongate members of the same or of varying lengths. Lengths of first, second and/or third elongate member, may bridge the join between adjacent support members. The support members may be spaced apart or may be arranged such that their ends abut each other.
The support is preferably manufactured from plastic. The various members attached to the support and each other may be manufactured form plastic e.g. extrusions or moldings, wood or MDF and the like. It is preferred that they are manufactured from wood.
For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to various specific embodiments of the invention as shown in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:
Referring now to
In this first embodiment, the support member 4 is separable from the first and second elongate members, but, as will be appreciated from the description below (especially with reference to
Referring again to
A lower face 14 of the skirting board member 1 is provided with a cut-out 141 for receiving the edge of a carpet, or other flooring material. To the rear of this cut-out 141 a portion 1001 of the board member 1 extends downwards, and has a flat lower surface 1000. Advantageously, when the system is fitted to a wall, this surface 1000 is arranged to abut, i.e. rest upon, the floor or flooring material surface. Friction between this floor-engaging surface 1000 then prevents the lower end of the skirting board member 1 from slipping or otherwise moving forward, away from the wall. The cut-out 141 enables the edge of flooring material or floor covering material (e.g. carpet) to be accommodated under the board, giving a neat finish, whilst the friction surface 1000 is still in contact with the floor to prevent slipping away of the board 1 from the wall. The surface 1000 may, in certain embodiments, be adapted to increase friction with a floor, e.g. it may be coated or otherwise provided with friction-increasing material such as rubber. An upper face 13 of the skirting board member 1 comprises relatively flat portions 131 and 132 on either side of a groove or channel 133 which extends generally vertically downwards into the skirting board member from the upper face 13 to a desired depth. This groove or channel 133 also runs along the length of the elongate member 1 (i.e. it extends along the longitudinal axis A1) but the sides of this slot 133 are generally vertical, and hence are at substantially ninety degrees to the sides of the slots 103 and 104 forming part of the first attachment means. The purpose of this slot 133 is to receive a corresponding rib or flange 241 provided on the second elongate member 2 (i.e. the upper moulding component). This rib 241 extends generally downwards from the body of the moulding 2 and also extends along the moulding's length. A front face 21 of the upper member 2 has a shaped, decorative profile. The rear face 22 of the upper member 2 comprises an upper, substantially flat portion 221 for abutting against a wall surface. The rear face 22 is then cut away from this flat portion 221. The skirting system is then provided with second attachment means for attaching the second elongate member 2 to the support member 4. The second attachment means comprises a longitudinal rib or wall 416 provided on the support member 4 which runs along the upper edge of the support member 4 along its length but is spaced forwards from the base or wall portion 41 and is arranged so that its sides are generally parallel to the rear surface 412. The second attachment means then also comprises a longitudinal groove or channel 222 provided in the rear face 22 of the second elongate member 22 and facing downwards so as to receive and engage the upwardly directed rib 416 on the support member. Referring in particular to
Referring now to
Also from
Advantageously, in the event that the floor covering whose edge is received in the recess 141 is to be replaced with a floor covering of different thickness, both the first and second elongate members 1, 2 can usually be detached from the support member 4 and then the height of the support member on the wall adjusted by loosening the fixing screws and then utilising the range of movement provided by the fixing slots 417. Additionally, and alternatively, in order to decorate the portion of the wall above the skirting assembly, the upper component (i.e. the moulding 2) can simply be detached (by pushing it upwards, in the vertical direction, and then the wall painted, wallpapered, or otherwise finished while the upper portion 2 remains removed. It is then not necessary to be particularly accurate as the edge of the painting, wallpapering or other finishing is next to the upper end of the support member, which is obscured when the upper moulding 2 is refitted. Thus, when the decorating is complete the upper moulding 2 can be refitted with the flat portion 221 of its rear face covering the edge of the decoration.
Lastly, the system shown in
Referring again to
In the first embodiment described above, the first attachment means comprising the ribs 413, 414 and corresponding receiving slots 103, 104 was adapted to provide releasable attachment of the first elongate member 1 to the support member 4. In alternative embodiments, however, the first attachment means is arranged to provide non-releasable attachment between the first elongate member 1 and the support member 4. In certain of these alternative embodiments the first attachment means achieve this non-releasable attachment by comprising adhesive which is arranged to bond the first elongate member 1 securely to the support member 4. Part of one of these embodiments is shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
The support member comprises an additional attachment member 415 (which in certain examples can be regarded as a locating member). This also comprises a relatively wide, curved end portion 4151 located at the end of a relatively thin wall portion 4150 attaching it to the base portion 41. On this relatively thin portion 4150 there are no side fins provided. The support member 4 at its upper end comprises an upwardly directed rib 416, located on a transversely extending wall 4161 (i.e. which extends in the direction generally forward from the rear face 412 of the support member 4). Thus, the upwardly directed rib 416 is able to define a channel 4160 between itself and the surface of the wall W on which the support member is mounted. It will be appreciated that this upwardly directed rib 416 may be used as part of the attachment means for attaching an elongate moulding having a suitable groove to the support member 4. That elongate member may also comprise a transverse groove or slot for receiving the attachment member 415 provided lower down the support member 4. As that attachment member 415 is not provided with any transverse fins 4132, the elongate member locating on it can be located more easily, the absence of the fins 4132 committing a small degree of rotation of the elongate member about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support member 4. The portion 4150 in certain embodiments is made from relatively more flexible material than that of the remainder of the support member. For example, the portion 4150 and the rest of the support member may be formed by coextrusion, the portion 4150 being extruded from a rubber material or other flexible material, and the remainder being extruded from relatively less flexible, harder plastic. This enables the member 415 to deform as the relevant second elongate member is located into position (with a catch or groove locating on the member 415).
Referring now to
This first attachment means 413 is now as described in relation to
Also indicated in
In
Also indicated in
Referring now to
Referring now to
The support member comprises an additional attachment member 415 (which in certain examples can be regarded as a locating member). This also comprises a relatively wide, curved end portion 4151 located at the end of a relatively thin wall portion 4150 attaching it to the base portion 41. On this relatively thin portion 4150 there are no side fins provided.
The support member 4 at its upper end comprises an upwardly directed rib 416, located on a transversely extending wall 4161 (i.e. which extends in the direction generally forward from the rear face 412 of the support member 4). Thus, the upwardly directed rib 416 is able to define a channel 4160 between itself and the surface of the wall W on which the support member is mounted. It will be appreciated that this upwardly directed rib 416 may be used as part of the attachment means for attaching an elongate moulding having a suitable groove to the support member 4. That elongate member may also comprise a transverse groove or slot for receiving the attachment member 415 provided lower down the support member 4. As that attachment member 415 is not provided with any transverse fins 4132, the elongate member locating on it can be located more easily, the absence of the fins 4132 committing a small degree of rotation of the elongate member about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support member 4. The portion 4150 in certain embodiments is made from relatively more flexible material than that of the remainder of the support member. For example, the portion 4150 and the rest of the support member may be formed by coextrusion, the portion 4150 being extruded from a rubber material or other flexible material, and the remainder being extruded from relatively less flexible, harder plastic. This enables the member 415 to deform as the relevant second elongate member is located into position (with a catch or groove locating on the member 415).
The support member further comprises a second attachment member 414 having a rib 500 located on a transversely extending wall 5001 (i.e. which extends in the direction generally forward from the rear face 412 of the support member 4). Thus, the downwardly directed rib 500 is able to define a channel 5002 between itself and surface 411 of the support member 4. It will be appreciated that this downwardly directed rib 500 may be used as part of the attachment means for attaching a first elongate member having a suitable groove to the support member 4. That elongate member may also comprise a transverse groove or slot for receiving the second attachment member 500.
It will be appreciated from the above description that decorative systems embodying the invention may be used in a variety of applications, and in particular, although not exclusively, for interior decoration.
Certain embodiments provide the advantage that the need to cut accurate lengths (in particular on a skirting base) can be decreased. In other words, the number of accurate cuts, and in particular accurate mitre cuts, that need to be made when fitting a decorative system embodying the invention are smaller than in the fitting of previously known systems.
Another advantage of embodiments of the invention is that the fittings used to attach the support members to a wall are hidden in the assembled system, thereby producing an improved aesthetic effect, and yet those fittings are easily exposable by removing certain components to facilitate adjustment, repositioning, and/or decorating.
Embodiments of the invention do cover a relatively large area on a wall and may be positioned above damaged plasterwork to provide a neat and attractive finished appearance.
Embodiments of the invention incorporate easily removable sections, which may also be flexible, which in turn can enable high accuracies to be achieved in joints.
Embodiments of the invention are adjustable so as to be able to incorporate different floor thicknesses, for example, and to aid accurate positioning and leveling.
In certain embodiments, by incorporating attachment means which enables one component to be push-fitted to a support member and another to be inserted from above or below (i.e. by movement in a vertical direction) the fitting of the system in corners is facilitated.
Embodiments of the invention are able to provide channels or conduits (which can also be regarded as cable trays) through which cables may be fed. Therefore, power cables, speaker cables, lighting cables or telephone cables can be routed through decorative systems embodying the invention with minimum cable exposure.
Components of the decorative systems embodying the invention are conveniently reusable, especially as the elongate mouldings are simply push-fitted on to the support member or members (no glue being required, or indeed screws or nails through the mouldings).
Embodiments of the invention are able to provide the advantage that they can reduce the time and the need for accuracy when decorating or redecorating.
Embodiments of the invention are able to reduce the skill level required to install the system as they may incorporate the ability to adjust the position at which the support member or members are attached to a wall.
Embodiments provide the further advantage that they can reduce the time taken to install the decorative system.
Embodiments provide the advantage that the refurbishing of floor areas is facilitated, with skirting systems being easily detachable and repositionable.
Embodiments can also provide the advantage that the support members are able to provide a cutting guide (for example for use in the cutting of wallpaper).
Embodiments incorporating means for adjusting the attachment position of the support member enable accurate alignment (e.g. leveling) of the decorative system to be achieved without the need for accurate positioning of holes drilled in a wall surface.
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.
Claims
1. A joint system for decorative or architectural features comprising: an assembly comprising a first elongate member and a second elongate member, and support means adapted for attachment to a wall to provide support for the assembly, the first elongate member being adapted to be attached to the support means via a first attachment means in a first position in which the first elongate member is in contact with the support and in part is in contact with the wall, the second elongate member attached to the support via a second attachment means in a second position in which the second elongate member is in contact with the support and in part is in contact with the wall substantially parallel to the first elongate member attached in the first position.
2. A joint for a decorative system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support means is adapted for attachment to a wall along a desired line to provide support for the assembly along said line and the first and second elongate members extend along the line.
3. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first attachment means is arranged to non-releasably attach the first elongate member to the support means.
4. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first attachment means is arranged to releasably attach the first elongate member to the support means.
5. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with claim 4, wherein the first attachment means is adapted such that the first elongate member is attachable to the support means by aligning the first elongate member in a position spaced from the wall in front of the support means attached to the wall and translating the aligned first elongate member towards the wall to said first position.
6. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the second attachment means is adapted to releasably attach the second elongate member to the support means.
7. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with claim 6, wherein the second attachment means is arranged such that the second elongate member is attachable to the support means by firstly positioning the second elongate member against the wall and alongside the support means, the second elongate member extending in a direction generally parallel to the desired line, and secondly translating the second elongate member from this initial position towards the support in a plane parallel to the wall surface and into engagement with the support.
8. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the assembly further comprises a third elongate member, and the system further comprises third attachment means adapted to attach the third elongate member to the support means, when the support means is attached to the wall, in a third position in which the third elongate member extends along the line, alongside and substantially parallel to the first and second elongate members attached in the first and second positions.
9. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the support means comprises an elongate support member having a longitudinal axis.
10. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the support member comprises a plurality of fixing apertures spaced apart along said longitudinal axis for receiving fixing screws to attach the support member to a wall.
11. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with claim 10, wherein the plurality of fixing apertures comprises a plurality of fixing slots, each fixing slot extending generally transversely to the longitudinal axis.
12. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the first attachment means comprises an attachment member provided on the support member, and arranged to protrude in a direction generally away from a wall to which the support member is attached, and a corresponding recess provided on the first elongate member to receive and engage the attachment member when the first elongate member is in the first position.
13. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with claim 12, wherein the attachment member comprises a rib protruding from a surface of the support member and extending along a length of the support member.
14. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with claim 13, wherein the corresponding recess comprises a longitudinal slot.
15. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the first attachment means comprises a second rib protruding from a surface of the support member and extending along a length of the support member, parallel to the first rib, and a second corresponding longitudinal slot provided on the first elongate member.
16. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the second attachment means comprises an attachment member provided on the support member, and arranged to protrude in a direction generally parallel to a wall to which the support member is attached, and a corresponding attachment members, provided on the second elongate member to receive and engage the attachment member of the support member when the second elongate member is in the second position.
17. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with claim 16, wherein the attachment member of the second attachment means comprises a rib attachment member extending along a length of the support member.
18. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with claim 17, wherein the corresponding recess on the second support member comprises a longitudinal slot.
19. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the rib attachment member of the second attachment means is arranged so as to be spaced from and parallel to a surface of a wall to which the support member is attached.
20. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with any one of claims 9 to 19, wherein the support member and assembly are adapted such that when the assembly members are attached to the support means, at least one longitudinal channel for routing a wire or cable is defined between the support member and at least one of the elongate members.
21. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the first and second elongate members are adapted such that when attached to the support means in the first and second positions, a surface of the first elongate member abuts a surface of the second elongate member.
22. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein one of the first and second elongate members comprises an elongate mating rib and the other one of the first and second elongate members comprises a corresponding elongate mating slot for receiving and engaging the mating rib, the arrangement being such that when the first and second elongate members are attached to the support means in the first and second positions, the mating rib is received in and engaged by the mating slot.
23. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the first attachment means of the support may comprises a second attachment member arranged to protrude from the support in a direction generally parallel to a wall to which the support member is attached.
24. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with claim 23, wherein the second attachment member comprises a rib attachment member extending along a length of the support member arranged so as to be spaced from and parallel to a surface of a wall to which the support member is attached.
25. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with claims 23 or 24 wherein there is a corresponding recess for the second attachment means on the first elongate member arranged to be parallel to the surface of the wall.
26. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with claims 24, wherein the second rib attachment member is orientated to be in the opposing direction to the rib attachment member of the first attachment member on the support, which is associated with the second attachment means.
27. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the second elongate member comprises at least one mating surface, located on an internal surface exposed to the support means and the support means comprises a resilient mating rib extending from a support means surface exposed to the second elongate member.
28. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with claim 28, wherein the second elongate member has an engagement surface, which is contacted by the mating rib before it engages with the mating surface, during assembly of the joint.
29. A joint for a decorative system in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support is a resilient support.
30. A joint as claimed in any one of the preceding claims incorporated into a skirting board or picture rail or dado rail or architrave or chair rail.
31. A skirting board as claimed in claim 30 comprising a cable management recess located in the first elongate member at a surface, which is proximate to a floor on completion of the skirting board assembly.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 25, 2008
Publication Date: Jan 28, 2010
Inventor: Carlton Ellis (Lincolnshire)
Application Number: 12/180,043
International Classification: E04F 13/24 (20060101);