MAGNETIC CORNER GUARD FOR CORNER JUNCTIONS

Abstract

A portable corner guard for walls includes a first vertical wall and a second vertical wall positioned substantially orthogonal to the first vertical wall. A junction of the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall forms a bullnose corner. A horizontal base extends from a lower edge of the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall. At least one magnetic element is positioned on each of the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/801,308, entitled “MAGNETIC CORNER GUARD FOR CORNER JUNCTIONS,” filed on Feb. 5, 2019, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Corner guards have been employed in residential and commercial buildings to protect walls and/or other objects from damage caused by collisions or other contact from other objects. These devices prevent marring of the corner junction due to such contact, which may be particularly common during tasks such as furniture moving and/or transporting other objects that may come into contact with the wall corner. These guards may also be particularly useful in protecting walls and other structures during many cleaning services such as carpet and air duct cleaning that may involve cords, hoses, and/or other objects being drawn around corners, which would otherwise mar the corners of the wall. A common problem with conventional corner guards is the propensity of the guards to dislodge and tip over, thereby exposing the wall and/or baseboard to potential damage. This requires the users to constantly reposition the corner guard during the cleaning (or other) task. Additionally, conventional corner guards typically have sharp corners, which may impede and/or damage objects that contact the corner guard. As such, there is a continuing need for a corner guard device that can be securely positioned about a corner of a wall and that will not cause damage to objects that contact the corner guard.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a corner guard for protecting wall corners and baseboards. More particularly, embodiments are directed to portable and removable protective guards for shielding wall corners and edges that have metal backing or metal beading. Embodiments may also be used to protect pillars, pylons, posts, columns, and/or other structures that do not have metal backing.

In one embodiment, A portable corner guard for walls is provided. The corner guard may include a first vertical wall and a second vertical wall positioned substantially orthogonal to the first vertical wall. A junction of the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall may form a bullnose corner. The corner guard may include a horizontal base extending from a lower edge of the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall and at least one magnetic element positioned on each of the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall.

In some embodiments, each of the at least one magnetic element is coupled with an inner surface of one or both of the first vertical wall or the second vertical wall. In some embodiments, each of the at least one magnetic element is removably coupled with one or both of the first vertical wall or the second vertical wall. In some embodiments, each of the at least one magnetic element is received within a sleeve formed within one or both of the first vertical wall or the second vertical wall. In some embodiments, each of the at least one magnetic element is embedded within one or both of the first vertical wall or the second vertical wall. In some embodiments, the at least one magnetic element may include a first plurality of magnetic elements positioned on the first vertical wall and a second plurality of magnetic elements positioned on the second vertical wall. In some embodiments, the first plurality of magnetic elements are offset from the second plurality of magnetic elements along a vertical axis of the portable corner guard.

In another embodiment, a portable corner guard for walls may include a first vertical wall and a second vertical wall. A juncture of the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall may form a bullnose corner. The corner guard may also include a first magnetic element positioned on the first vertical wall and a second magnetic element positioned on the second vertical wall.

In some embodiments, one or both of the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element extends vertically along at least half of a height of the portable corner guard. In some embodiments, at least one of the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall may include a projecting portion that provides space to receive a baseboard. In some embodiments, the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are positioned at least 3 inches above a bottom of the respective vertical wall. In some embodiments, the corner guard may also include a base extending from a lower edge of the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall. In some embodiments, the corner guard may further include a hinge coupling the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall. In some embodiments, the base may include two separable portions, with a first portion extending from the lower edge of the first vertical wall and a second portion extending from the lower edge of the second vertical wall.

In another embodiment, a portable corner guard for walls may include a first vertical wall, a second vertical wall that is positionable at a substantially orthogonal angle relative to the first vertical wall, and at least one magnetic element positioned on at least one of the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall.

In some embodiments, a horizontal base may extend from a bottom of one or both of the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall. In some embodiments, the corner guard may also include a hinge coupling the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall such that a horizontal angle between the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall is adjustable. In some embodiments, the hinge may include a flexible membrane covering at a pivot point of the hinge. In some embodiments, the corner guard may further include a third vertical wall coupled with the second vertical wall such that the first vertical wall and the third vertical wall are positionable in a parallel orientation. In some embodiments, one or both of the first vertical wall and the third vertical wall is slidingly coupled with the second vertical wall such that a distance between the first vertical wall and the third vertical wall is adjustable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of various embodiments may be realized by reference to the following figures. In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front isometric view of a corner guard according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear isometric view of the corner guard of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top side view of the corner guard of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates top rear view of the corner guard of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the corner guard of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5a illustrates a front view of a magnetic element of the corner guard of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5b illustrates a cross-section view of the magnetic element of FIG. 5a.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the corner guard of FIG. 1 positioned against a wall according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric view of the corner guard of FIG. 1 positioned against a wall.

FIG. 8 illustrates a front isometric view of a corner guard according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9 a rear isometric view of the corner guard of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates an isometric view of a magnetic element sleeve of the corner guard of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 illustrates an isometric view of a magnetic element positioned within the sleeve of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 illustrates a front isometric view of a corner guard with edge molding according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a front isometric view of a corner guard having three vertical walls according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a front isometric view of a corner guard with a baseboard receiving projection according to embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to portable corner guards that may be secured against a wall or other object to protect the wall from damage from other objects that may come into contact with the wall. Oftentimes, residential and commercial buildings include metal backing that is placed over sheet rock at corner junctions to maintain the shape and integrity of such corners. Embodiments of the invention include magnetic elements that are used to secure the corner guards in place against the walls. Specifically, the magnetic elements are positioned on the corner guard such that the magnetic elements are aligned with any metal backing in order to maintain the corner guard in a desired protective position relative to the wall. This ensures that the wall, baseboard, and/or other structural feature is protected against collisions, abrasive wear, and/or other contact from other objects.

In some embodiments, a corner guard may include a “bull nose” corner, which provides a smooth, rounded corner that enables objects such as cords and hoses to be drawn around a corner without impeded movement or damage to the cord or hose. In some embodiments, the corner guard may include a horizontal base or foot portion that helps add additional stability to the device. In some embodiments, the base may further aid any hoses or cords in passing around corners of the wall, as the cord or hose may be positioned atop the base to prevent the hose or cord from snagging on a lower edge of a vertical surface of a corner guard. Additionally, the corner guards of the present invention may be formed from a relatively smooth, low friction material that provides less resistance to cords or hoses that are drawn against the corner guard. This helps prevent additional wear to the hose or cord that would otherwise occur as a result of drawing the hose or cord against the wall and/or a rough floor surface, such as industrial carpet or brick.

Turning now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a corner guard 100 is illustrated. Corner guard 100 includes at least two vertical members or walls 102. Vertical walls 102 may be joined together to form a corner guard 100 that is positionable about at least one corner of a wall or other structure to protect the corner (including corner junctions, baseboard surfaces, floor surfaces, and/or other areas proximate the corner junction). In some embodiments, the corner guard 100 may include two vertical walls 102. The two vertical walls 102 may be coupled together such that the vertical walls 102 are approximately orthogonal relative to one another. In some embodiments, the vertical walls 102 may be rigidly joined as illustrated here such that an angle between the vertical walls 102 is fixed, while in other embodiments, the angle between the vertical walls 102 may be adjustable. For example, a hinge may be positioned at a juncture of the vertical walls 102 that allows the vertical walls 102 to be pivoted relative to each other. This allows the corner guard 100 to be positioned about corners of various angles.

In some embodiments, the juncture of the vertical walls 102 may be formed to have a bull nose corner 104. The bull nose corner provides a smooth, rounded surface that allows equipment such as hoses and cords to be drawn around the corner guard 100 without snagging or being damaged by a sharp corner. In some embodiments, the bull nose corner 104 may be used in corner guards 102 that include a hinge. For example, the hinge may include an outer curved component that pivotally receives another piece, with the curved component forming the bull nose corner 104. In other embodiments, the hinge may be formed from a flexible material that may be bent around a corner to a desired angle, with the flexible material being designed to provide a curved surface rather than a sharp corner. The use of a hinge enables the corner guard 100 to be folded up for storage and/or to be adjusted to fit corners of different angles. The hinge may be configured to accommodate any angle of corner. In some embodiments, the hinge may be configured to accommodate a maximum of a 90° angle, while other hinges will allow for lesser or greater maximum angles.

In some embodiments, the corner guard 100 may include a horizontally oriented foot or base 106. Base 106 may contact the ground to help stabilize the corner guard 100 when the corner guard 100 is positioned about a corner. The base 106 may be coupled with and/or extend from a lower edge of one or more of the vertical walls 102. As illustrated, the base 106 forms a flange that extends outward from an entirety of the width of the vertical walls 102 (which may be considered to include the bull nose corner 104 in some embodiments), with opposing edges of the base 106 being generally orthogonal to one another. In other embodiments the base 106 may extend from less than the entire width of the vertical walls 102. For example, the base 106 may be formed only in a medial portion of the corner guard 100, such as at positions proximate the bull nose corner 104. In other embodiments, the base 106 may include several “feet” that are positioned at various locations along the corner guard 100. For example, feet may be positioned proximate opposing ends of the vertical walls 102 and/or proximate the bull nose corner 104. It will be appreciated that any combination of feet and/or other designs of base 106 may be used in accordance with the present invention. In some embodiments, the base 106 may have a uniform width across its length, while in other embodiments the width may vary. As just one example, the width of the base 106 may be greatest near opposing edges of the base 106 proximate ends of each of the vertical walls 102, with less width (or no base at all) at areas near the bull nose corner 104. In some embodiments, the base 106 may have a same general shape as a cross-section of the vertical walls 102 and bull nose corner 104.

In some embodiments, such as for corner guards 100 that include a hinge, the base 106 may be formed of multiple pieces that may pivot relative to one another. This allows the base 106 to be separated into two or more pieces such that the corner guard 100 may be adjusted to fold up for storage and/or to fit about corners of different angles. As just one example, the base 106 may be formed of two symmetrical halves that may be configured to join or otherwise contact one another when a maximum angle of the hinge is reached.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, the corner guard 100 includes a number of magnetic elements 108 positioned on one or more of the vertical walls 102. The magnetic elements 108 may be formed of any permanent magnet material, such as ceramic, alnico, and/or neodymium magnets. Oftentimes, one or more magnetic elements 108 may be positioned on each of the vertical walls 102. The magnetic elements 108 may be positioned such that the magnetic elements 108 are generally aligned with metal backing or beading present in walls and/or other structures such that the magnetic elements 108 are useable to secure the corner guard 100 in place against the wall or other structure.

While illustrated with four magnetic elements 108 (two on each respective vertical wall 102) it will be appreciated that in other embodiments other numbers of magnetic elements 108 may be utilized. For example, in some embodiments one or more of the vertical walls 102 may include a single magnetic element 108. In some embodiments, the single magnetic element 108 may extend over a significant portion of a height of the respective vertical wall 102. For example, the magnetic element 108 may extend over more than about 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, etc. of the height of the respective vertical wall 102. In other embodiments, one or all of the vertical walls 102 may include multiple magnetic elements 108.

Typically, the magnetic elements 108 on a particular vertical wall 102 are aligned along a vertical axis of the vertical wall 102 such that each of the magnetic elements 108 is in a position to attract metal backing of a conventional wall. Such alignment creates a greater attractive force to secure the corner guard 100 to the wall. However, in some embodiments, one or more of the magnetic elements 108 on a vertical wall 102 may be offset from other magnetic elements 108. This may allow the corner guard 100 to be secured to walls with unconventional construction arrangements (e.g. with metal backings in different locations). In other embodiments, rather than having offset magnetic elements 108, a corner guard 100 may include magnetic elements 108 with greater widths to enable the corner guard 100 to be secured against walls with various construction arrangements. Additionally, in some embodiments, angled magnetic elements 108 may be utilized that allow a single magnetic element 108 to extend along at least part of a width of multiple adjacent vertical walls 102. For example, an outer surface of the magnetic elements 108 may be designed to match a shape of an inner portion of the bull nose corner 104, while an inner surface of the magnetic elements 108 may be shaped to allow the magnetic elements 108 to be placed against the wall.

In some embodiments, the magnetic elements 108 may be permanently secured within the vertical walls 102. For example, the magnetic elements 108 may be embedded within and/or otherwise secured within the material of the vertical walls 102. In other embodiments, the magnetic elements 108 may be removable from the vertical walls 102. Such removability enables the magnetic elements 108 to be removed for replacement, repair, recycling, and/or other purpose. For example, in some embodiments, the magnetic elements 108 may be secured to the vertical walls 102 via a sleeve, pocket, and/or other mechanism that may allow one or more magnetic elements 108 to be removably secured with a vertical wall 102 of the corner guard 100. In some embodiments, the magnetic elements 108 may be secured to the vertical wall 102 using a permanent or releasable adhesive. In yet other embodiments, one or more fasteners may be used to secure each magnetic element 108 to a vertical wall 102.

In some embodiment, one or more surfaces of the magnetic elements 108 may be exposed. In such embodiments, it may be possible for a surface of one or more of the magnetic elements 108 to directly contact the wall. However, in other embodiments, at least a surface of the magnetic elements 108 most proximate the wall may be covered, such as with a smooth polymer or metallic layer, which prevents the magnetic element 108 from coming into direct contact with the wall. This intermediate layer of material may help prevent the magnetic element from causing damage to the wall in the event that the corner guard 100 is bumped or otherwise moved.

While illustrated with the magnetic elements 108 projecting rearward from the vertical walls 108, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments different arrangements are possible. For example, in some embodiments, the magnetic elements 108 may be positioned entirely within the vertical walls 102 such that a rear surface of the vertical walls 102 is positionable directly against the wall being protected. Additionally, while shown with the magnetic elements 108 being secured to a rear surface of the vertical walls 102, some embodiments may secure the magnetic elements 108 to a front surface of the vertical walls 102.

FIG. 5A illustrates one embodiment of a magnetic element 108. Here, the magnetic element includes a permanent magnetic material 110 (such as ceramic, alnico, and/or neodymium) that is surrounded by a polymer casing 112 on one or more sides. FIG. 5B illustrates a cross-section of the magnetic element 108. In some embodiments, the polymer casing 112 may surround the magnetic material 110 along three sides, while leaving at least part of the remaining fourth side exposed. The fourth side may be positioned to face the metal backing of a wall to be protected. In some embodiments, the fourth side may be fully covered by the polymer casing 112 and/or another layer of smooth material that may prevent the magnetic material 110 from directly contacting the wall surface. This may help prevent the magnetic material 110 from damaging or marring the wall surface.

In some embodiments, the corner guard 100 may be formed from a single material. For example, the corner guard 100 may be molded, 3D printed, cast, forged, and/or otherwise formed as a single piece. In other embodiments, multiple components may be adjoined to one another. As just one example, the vertical walls 102 may be formed separately and joined via a separate piece forming bull nose corner 104.

Oftentimes, the corner guard 100 may include vertical walls 102 that extend in a vertical direction at least 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, or more inches. The vertical walls 102 may oftentimes have a lateral width of at least 3, 5, 7, 9, or more inches. Additionally, the base 106 may often extend outward from the vertical walls 102 by a distance of at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more inches. While these sizes are common, it will be appreciated that corner guard 100 may be designed with any dimensions that are suitable for a particular application.

While shown with a symmetrical design, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments the corner guard 100 may have an asymmetric design. For example, in some embodiments, one of the vertical walls 102 may be a different height than the other vertical wall 102. This may be done to accommodate a handle or other feature (not shown) on one of the vertical walls 102. In other embodiments, one of the vertical walls 102 and/or sides of the base 106 may have different widths. It will be appreciated that various design changes are possible in accordance with the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, particularly those in which the magnetic elements 108 are positioned entirely or substantially within a thickness of the vertical walls 102, the vertical walls 102 may include a stepped projection that extends in an outward direction from a wall. For example, a top portion of the vertical walls 102 may extend along a first vertical axis while a lower portion of the vertical walls 102 may extend along a second vertical axis that is positioned outward relative to the first vertical axis. This offset produces a recess within the vertical walls 102 that is able to receive any baseboard or other trim piece while the top portion of each of the vertical walls 102 is positioned directly against the wall that is being protected by the corner guard 100. In some embodiments, rather than having a projecting portion, the corner guard 100 may have magnetic elements 108 that project rearward from the vertical walls 102. The lowest of these magnetic elements 108 may be positioned a distance above the base 106 and/or lower edge of the vertical walls 102 that enables any baseboard and/or other trim piece to be positioned below a bottom edge of the lowest magnetic elements 108. This allows the baseboard and/or other trim piece to be covered by a lower portion of the vertical walls 102 while the magnetic elements 108 may be positioned directly against the surface of the wall above the baseboard. Oftentimes, such designs will include lowest magnetic elements 108 that are positioned at least 3-6 inches or more above the base 106 and/or lower edge of the vertical walls 102.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the corner guard 100 positioned around a wall corner 114. Here, the vertical walls 102 extend laterally from the point of the wall corner 114 and protect vertical surfaces of the wall corner 114 that are proximate to the point of the wall corner 114. Base 106 also covers and protects a portion of the floor surface that is proximate the wall corner 114. As best illustrated in FIG. 7, the corner wall 114 includes metal backing or beading 116. The magnetic elements 108 are positioned to be proximate the metal backing 116 so as to secure the corner guard 100 against the wall corner 114.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of a corner guard 200. Corner guard 200 may be similar to corner guard 100 and may include vertical walls 202, a bull nose corner 204, a base 206, and magnetic elements 208. In contrast to corner guard 100, the vertical walls 202 of corner guard 200 may not have smooth continuous surfaces but instead may define a number of apertures 210 that enable visual observation of the positioning and/or presence of magnetic elements 208. For example, in some embodiments, a location of each magnetic element 208 (or position capable of receiving a magnetic element 208) may include a corresponding aperture 210 that allows the location of the magnetic element 208 (or receptacle) to be viewed. Additionally, the apertures 210 enable a person to quickly discern whether a magnetic element 208 is present at each location when viewed from an outside of the corner guard 200.

In contrast to the corner guard 100, corner guard 200 includes magnetic elements 208 on each vertical wall 202 that are offset from each other along a vertical axis of the corner guard 200. For example, as illustrated, each magnetic element 208 has a unique vertical position. Here, each magnetic element 208 is secured to a respective vertical wall 202 using a sleeve 212. FIG. 10 best illustrates sleeve 212. As shown here, sleeve 212 includes a top portion 214 that defines an opening 216 that extends vertically through an entire thickness of the top portion 214. A bottom portion 218 defines an opening 220 that extends from a top surface of the bottom portion 218 through part of the surface of the bottom portion 218. Such a design allows a magnetic element 208 to be inserted into the opening 216 entirely through the top portion 214 and into opening 220 such that the magnetic element 208 is supported by a base of the bottom portion 218 as best illustrated in FIG. 11. The magnetic element 208 is thereby slidably received within a recess or channel formed by the two openings 216, 220, enabling the magnetic element 208 to be quickly inserted into or removed from the corner guard 200. It will be appreciated that other designs of sleeves 212 and/or other techniques for securing the magnetic elements 208 to the vertical walls 202 are possible in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of a corner guard 300. Corner guard 300 may be similar to corner guards 100 and 200 described above and may include vertical walls 302, a bull nose corner 304, a base 306, and magnetic elements 308. As illustrated, corner guard 300 may include one or more handles 316. For example, handles 316 may be formed from apertures defined by one or more of the vertical walls 302. These apertures provide easily graspable locations for a user to carry and move the corner guard 300. In some embodiments, the corner guard 300 may also include edge molding 312. Edge molding 312 may extend about all or a portion of the edges of the vertical walls 302, bull nose corner 304, and/or base 306. Edge molding 312 may be formed from a soft and/or dampening material (such as a rubber, felt, and/or other material) and may serve to further protect the surface of a wall from damage, as the edge molding 312 may be positioned directly against the wall and/or floor to further protect the wall and/or floor from damage, such as abrasive damage in the event that the corner guard 300 is bumped and/or otherwise moved. In some embodiments, the edge molding 312 may be permanently affixed to the corner guard 300, such as using an adhesive. In other embodiments the edge molding 312 may be removable, which may facilitate easy replacement in the event of damage to the edge molding 312. For example, the edge molding 312 may define a channel that may securely receive edges of the corner guard 300.

Corner guard 300 further includes a hinge 314 that enables the angle between the vertical walls 302 to be adjusted to accommodate wall corners of different angles and also allows the corner guard 300 to be folded up for movement and/or storage. Here, hinge 314 is positioned at a juncture of the vertical walls 302 that allows the vertical walls 302 to be pivoted relative to each other. To provide the bull nose corner 304, the hinge 314 may include an outer curved component that pivotally receives another piece, with the curved component forming the bull nose corner 304. In other embodiments, the hinge 314 may be formed from a flexible material that may be bent around a corner to a desired angle, with the flexible material being designed to provide a curved surface rather than a sharp corner. The hinge 314 may be configured to accommodate any angle of corner. In some embodiments, the hinge 314 may be configured to accommodate a maximum of a 90° angle, while other hinges 314 will allow for lesser or greater maximum angles. The base 306 may be formed of multiple pieces that may pivot relative to one another. This allows the base 306 to be separated into two or more pieces such that the corner guard 300 may be adjusted to fold up for storage and/or to fit about corners of different angles. As just one example, the base 306 may be formed of two symmetrical halves that may be configured to join or otherwise contact one another when a maximum angle of the hinge 314 is reached.

In some embodiments, corner guards may include more than two vertical walls, allowing the corner guard to protect ends of walls that jut out and form corners with three wall surfaces. FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiments of a corner guard 400 that includes three vertical walls 402. Two lateral vertical walls 402a are configured to face one another in parallel alignment, with an additional vertical wall 402b extending between the two lateral vertical walls 402a. In some embodiments, the vertical walls 402 may be fixed relative to one another such that the distance and/or angle between the vertical walls 402 is constant. In other embodiments, one or more of the lateral vertical walls 402a may be adjustable relative to the additional vertical wall 402b. As just one example, one or both of the lateral vertical walls 402a may be coupled with the additional vertical wall 402b via a sliding track 410 or other mechanism that allows a distance between the lateral vertical wall 402a and additional vertical wall 402b to be adjusted. This allows an effective width of the corner guard 400 to be adjusted to accommodate walls of different thicknesses. In some embodiments, a flexible and/or elastic material (such as a cloth, rubber, etc.) may be coupled between each vertical wall 402 such that any gaps between the vertical walls 402 are still protected when the vertical walls 402 are extended away from one another.

In some embodiments, a connection between the lateral vertical walls 402a and the additional vertical wall 402b may include one or more hinges 412 that enable the corner guard 400 to be folded up for storage or transport and/or to be adjusted to fit irregular wall corners.

One or more of the vertical walls 402 may include one or more magnetic element 408. Oftentimes, these magnetic elements 408 are positioned on the lateral vertical walls 402a as the lateral vertical walls 402a will always be positioned proximate corners of the wall where metal backing is present. Typically, the magnetic elements 408 are positioned on edges of the lateral vertical walls 402a that are most proximate the additional vertical wall 402. In some embodiments, the corner guard 400 may include a base 406. Oftentimes, each vertical wall 402 may include a corresponding base 406, with the various bases 406 serving to further stabilize the corner guard 400. This allows the bases 406 to be adjusted along with the vertical walls 402 to accommodate walls of different thicknesses.

FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of a corner guard 500. Corner guard 500 may be similar to the corner guards described above and may include vertical walls 502, a bull nose corner 504, a base 506, and magnetic elements (not shown). Here, each vertical wall 502 includes a stepped projection 510 that extends in an outward direction from a wall that is being protected. For example, a top portion 512 of the vertical walls 502 may extend along a first vertical axis while a lower portion 514 of the vertical walls 502 may extend along a second vertical axis that is positioned outward relative to the first vertical axis. This offset produces a recess within the vertical walls 502 that is able to receive any baseboard or other trim piece while the top portion 512 of each of the vertical walls 502 is positioned directly against the wall that is being protected by the corner guard 500. Typically, the magnetic elements are positioned on the top portion 512 of the vertical walls 502.

It should be noted that the systems and devices discussed above are intended merely to be examples. It must be stressed that various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. Also, features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. Different aspects and elements of the embodiments may be combined in a similar manner. Also, it should be emphasized that technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are examples and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention.

Specific details are given in the description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known structures and techniques have been shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments. This description provides example embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the preceding description of the embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing embodiments of the invention. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having described several embodiments, it will be recognized by those of skill in the art that various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the above elements may merely be a component of a larger system, wherein other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of the invention. Also, a number of steps may be undertaken before, during, or after the above elements are considered. Accordingly, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.

Also, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, “contains”, “containing”, “include”, “including”, and “includes”, when used in this specification and in the following claims, are intended to specify the presence of stated features, integers, components, or steps, but they do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, components, steps, acts, or groups.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly or conventionally understood. As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” refer to one or to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, “an element” means one element or more than one element. “About” and/or “approximately” as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, encompasses variations of ±20% or ±10%, ±5%, or +0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate to in the context of the systems, devices, circuits, methods, and other implementations described herein. “Substantially” as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, a physical attribute (such as frequency), and the like, also encompasses variations of ±20% or ±10%, ±5%, or +0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate to in the context of the systems, devices, circuits, methods, and other implementations described herein.

As used herein, including in the claims, “and” as used in a list of items prefaced by “at least one of” or “one or more of” indicates that any combination of the listed items may be used. For example, a list of “at least one of A, B, and C” includes any of the combinations A or B or C or AB or AC or BC and/or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Furthermore, to the extent more than one occurrence or use of the items A, B, or C is possible, multiple uses of A, B, and/or C may form part of the contemplated combinations. For example, a list of “at least one of A, B, and C” may also include AA, AAB, AAA, BB, etc.

Claims

1. A portable corner guard for walls, comprising:

a first vertical wall;

a second vertical wall positioned substantially orthogonal to the first vertical wall, wherein a junction of the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall forms a bullnose corner;

a horizontal base extending from a lower edge of the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall; and

at least one magnetic element positioned on each of the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall.

2. The portable corner guard for walls of claim 1, wherein:

each of the at least one magnetic element is coupled with an inner surface of one or both of the first vertical wall or the second vertical wall.

3. The portable corner guard for walls of claim 1, wherein:

each of the at least one magnetic element is removably coupled with one or both of the first vertical wall or the second vertical wall.

4. The portable corner guard for walls of claim 1, wherein:

each of the at least one magnetic element is received within a sleeve formed within one or both of the first vertical wall or the second vertical wall.

5. The portable corner guard for walls of claim 1, wherein:

each of the at least one magnetic element is embedded within one or both of the first vertical wall or the second vertical wall.

6. The portable corner guard for walls of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one magnetic element comprises a first plurality of magnetic elements positioned on the first vertical wall and a second plurality of magnetic elements positioned on the second vertical wall.

7. The portable corner guard for walls of claim 6, wherein:

the first plurality of magnetic elements are offset from the second plurality of magnetic elements along a vertical axis of the portable corner guard.

8. A portable corner guard for walls, comprising:

a first vertical wall;

a second vertical wall, wherein a juncture of the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall forms a bullnose corner;

a first magnetic element positioned on the first vertical wall; and

a second magnetic element positioned on the second vertical wall.

9. The portable corner guard for walls of claim 8, wherein:

one or both of the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element extends vertically along at least half of a height of the portable corner guard.

10. The portable corner guard for walls of claim 8, wherein:

at least one of the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall comprises a projecting portion that provides space to receive a baseboard.

11. The portable corner guard for walls of claim 8, wherein:

the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are positioned at least 3 inches above a bottom of the respective vertical wall.

12. The portable corner guard for walls of claim 8, further comprising:

a base extending from a lower edge of the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall.

13. The portable corner guard for walls of claim 12, further comprising:

a hinge coupling the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall.

14. The portable corner guard for walls of claim 13, wherein:

the base comprises two separable portions; and

the two separable portions comprise a first portion extending from the lower edge of the first vertical wall and a second portion extending from the lower edge of the second vertical wall.

15. A portable corner guard for walls, comprising:

a first vertical wall;

a second vertical wall that is positionable at a substantially orthogonal angle relative to the first vertical wall; and

at least one magnetic element positioned on at least one of the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall.

16. The portable corner guard for walls of claim 15, further comprising:

a horizontal base extending from a bottom of one or both of the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall.

17. The portable corner guard for walls of claim 15, further comprising:

a hinge coupling the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall such that a horizontal angle between the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall is adjustable.

18. The portable corner guard for walls of claim 17, further comprising:

a flexible membrane covering at a pivot point of the hinge.

19. The portable corner guard for walls of claim 15, further comprising:

a third vertical wall coupled with the second vertical wall such that the first vertical wall and the third vertical wall are positionable in a parallel orientation.

20. The portable corner guard for walls of claim 19, wherein:

one or both of the first vertical wall and the third vertical wall is slidingly coupled with the second vertical wall such that a distance between the first vertical wall and the third vertical wall is adjustable.