BASEBOARD CORNER

Abstract

A baseboard corner and a method of use thereof for joining adjacent baseboard pieces at the corner of wall surfaces. The baseboard corner includes a trim member and a base member which is integral to the trim member. The trim member can flush mount with the intersection wall surfaces and surfaces of the adjacent baseboard pieces. The base member forms a left bracket and a right bracket for receiving the adjacent baseboard pieces. The baseboard corner eliminates the need for making mitered joints at the intersection of walls.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from a U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No. 63/312,001 filed on Feb. 28, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to baseboard corners, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a ready-to-fit baseboard corner.

BACKGROUND

Baseboard, also popularly known as skirting board, skirting, trim, and floor molding, or base molding, is well known in architecture for covering the joint between the interior wall surface and the floor. The baseboard is typically made from a wooden or vinyl board that can cover the uneven edge of flooring next to the wall providing an aesthetic appearance. Moreover, the baseboards protect the wall from kicks and abrasion.

Joining two baseboard pieces at the corners of the wall require precise cutting of the baseboard pieces for mitered joints. It is difficult to make these joints without gapping. Imperfections in framing and drywall along with the difficulty of cutting exact lengths create gaps in these joints. Despite taking all the care in measuring and cutting the baseboard pieces, some gaps or unevenness may remain which look unsightly. Moreover, precise cutting requires expert skills which are often not available or increase the overall installation cost. Caulking to improve the fit of the corner joint leads to increased cost and wastage of materials.

A need is therefore appreciated for a device to overcome the aforesaid limitations and deficiencies in the installation of baseboard trims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments of the present invention to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments and is intended to neither identify critical elements of all embodiments nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The principal object of the present invention is therefore directed to a baseboard corner that is easy to install.

It is another object of the present invention that the baseboard corner provides an aesthetic appearance.

It is still another object of the present invention that the baseboard corner avoids the need for precise cutting of baseboard pieces for angle joints.

It is yet another object of the present invention that the baseboard corner provides a smooth appearance.

It is a further object of the present invention that the cracks, seams, or sharp edges are avoided at corners.

It is still a further object of the present invention that the baseboard corner eliminates exposed joints in the baseboard.

It is yet a further object of the present invention that the wastage of materials can be significantly reduced.

It is an additional object of the present invention that the installation time can be reduced.

In one aspect, disclosed is a baseboard corner and a method of use thereof. The baseboard corner comprising a trim member having a front face, a rear face, an upper edge, a left edge, a right edge, and a bottom edge; a base member on the rear face of the trim member, the base member has a rear face, a left face, and a right face; and a left bracket and a right bracket configured to receive ends of adjacent baseboard pieces. the base member is integral with the trim member. A left plate extends from the left face of the base member, wherein the left face, a left peripheral portion of the trim member, and the left plate forms the left bracket. A right plate extends from the right face of the base member, wherein the right face, a right peripheral portion of the trim member, and the right plate forms the right bracket. The left plate and the right plate are continuous with the rare face of the base member. A profile of the trim member and the base member corresponds to an intersection wall surface over which the baseboard corner is to be applied, wherein the outer face of the trim member corresponds to outer surfaces of the adjacent baseboard pieces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention. Together with the description, the figures further explain the principles of the present invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant arts to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the baseboard corner, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the baseboard corner, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the baseboard corner, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the baseboard corner, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forth herein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may be embodied as apparatus and methods of use thereof. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments of the present invention” does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode of operation.

The terminology used herein is to describe particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting to embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The following detailed description includes the best currently contemplated mode or modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely to illustrate the general principles of the invention since the scope of the invention will be best defined by the allowed claims of any resulting patent.

The following detailed description is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific details may be set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject innovation. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and apparatus are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the subject innovation. Moreover, the drawings may not be to scale.

Disclosed are a baseboard corner and a method of use thereof for joining baseboard pieces at the corner of walls. The disclosed baseboard corner eliminates the need for miter joints. Spaces, gaps, and seams at the corners of the baseboard installation are eliminated. The disclosed baseboard corner provides a smooth finish with no sharp edges and the like.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 show different views of the disclosed baseboard corner 100. The baseboard corner 100 has a trim member 110 having a front face 120 and a rear face 130. The trim member 110 is of a convex arc profile. It is however understood that the shape of the trim member may vary and can depend upon the surface over which the disclosed baseboard cornet has to be mounted, such as the intersection wall surface and the angle at which the adjacent wall intersects. For the walls intersecting at the right angle, the trim member may have two flat sections that extend at right angles from each other and a rounded middle section extending between the two sections. Also, the rounded shape is an example, the shape can vary and any shape is within the scope of the present invention.

The trim member can have an upper peripheral portion along the upper edge 170, which may form an upper flange. The upper flange curves inwards so that the upper edge can flush mount with respect to wall surfaces, the wall surfaces including the intersection wall surface or corner and the wall surfaces adjacent to the intersection. FIG. 1 shows the upper edge of a right angles profile for wall surfaces intersecting at right angles. the upper edge profile may depend upon the wall surface, and any such variation is within the scope of the present invention. Thus, the angle of the angular upper edge may correspond with the intersecting angle of the adjacent walls. The upper profile of the baseboard corner is more clearly shown by the top view in FIG. 2.

Moreover, the shape and dimensions of the baseboard corner can correspond to the shape and dimension of the baseboard, so that continuity or uniformity in design can be provided. As shown in the isometric view, the outer surface of trim member 110 has curves that match the curves of the baseboard. The outer surface can be painted similarly to the baseboard. The peripheral portions of the trim member along the left and right edges may form side flanges. The side flanges may overlie the baseboard pieces over which the disclosed baseboard corner is mounted. The side flanges may match the outer surface of the baseboard pieces for continuity and uniformity in appearance. The side edges of the trim member may flush mount with respect to the outer surfaces of the baseboard pieces. The disclosed baseboard corner may lie over the floor, and the bottom edge 180 of the trim member 110 may flush mount with respect to the floor surface.

The disclosed baseboard corner 100 further has a base member 140 coupled to the inner surface of trim member 110. The base member has a front face, a rear face, a left face, and a right face. The base member is coupled at its front face to the inner surface of the trim member. the base member may extend within the upper flange and the side flanges of the trim member. Preferably, the base member and the trim member can be integrally formed as a single structure. The base member at the rear face is positioned over the intersecting wall surface. Thus, the rear face profile of the base member may correspond to the intersection wall surface profile. In case, the walls are perpendicular at the corner, the rear face can be right angular so that the rear face juxtaposes with the adjacent wall surfaces.

In certain embodiments, a plate 160 may extend from the left face 150 of the base member. The left flange of the trim member, the left face 150, and the plate 160 can form a bracket into which an end of the baseboard piece can fit. For example, the leading end of the baseboard piece can snap-fit into the bracket 190. The plate can be continuous with the rear face of the base member. Similarly, a bracket can be formed with the right face of the base member for engaging the second baseboard piece.

For installation, the length of the wall up to the intersection can be measured. From the measured length, a predefined width can be deducted, the predefined width corresponds to the dimensions of the disclosed baseboard corner. It may not be necessary to be precise, as the brackets of the disclosed baseboard corner provide enough room for adjustments. Moreover, the trim member is larger than the base member for covering the base member resulting in an aesthetic appearance. The baseboard pieces can then be secured to the disclosed baseboard corner and the wall. Caulking can be applied to fill any gaps between the trim member and the wall surfaces, the baseboard pieces surfaces, and the floor surfaces.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

Claims

1. A baseboard corner comprising:

a trim member having a front face, a rear face, an upper edge, a left edge, a right edge, and a bottom edge;

a base member on the rear face of the trim member, the base member has a rear face, a left face, and a right face; and

a left bracket and a right bracket configured to receive ends of adjacent baseboard pieces.

2. The baseboard corner according to claim 1, wherein the base member is integral with the trim member.

3. The baseboard corner according to claim 1, wherein a left plate extends from the left face of the base member, wherein the left face, a left peripheral portion of the trim member, and the left plate forms the left bracket.

4. The baseboard corner according to claim 3, wherein a right plate extends from the right face of the base member, wherein the right face, a right peripheral portion of the trim member, and the right plate forms the right bracket.

5. The baseboard corner according to claim 4, wherein the left plate and the right plate are continuous with the rare face of the base member.

6. The baseboard corner according to claim 1, wherein a profile of the trim member and the base member corresponds to an intersection wall surface over which the baseboard corner is to be applied, wherein the outer face of the trim member corresponds to outer surfaces of the adjacent baseboard pieces.

7. A method for installing joining adjacent baseboard pieces at an intersection of adjacent wall surfaces, the method comprises:

providing a baseboard corner comprising: a trim member having a front face, a rear face, an upper edge, a left edge, a right edge, and a bottom edge; a base member on the rear face of the trim member, the base member has a rear face, a left face, and a right face; and a left bracket and a right bracket configured to receive ends of adjacent baseboard pieces.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the base member is integral with the trim member.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein a left plate extends from the left face of the base member, wherein the left face, a left peripheral portion of the trim member, and the left plate forms the left bracket.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein a right plate extends from the right face of the base member, wherein the right face, a right peripheral portion of the trim member, and the right plate forms the right bracket.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the left plate and the right plate are continuous with the rare face of the base member.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein a profile of the trim member and the base member corresponds to an intersection wall surface over which the baseboard corner is to be applied, wherein the outer face of the trim member corresponds to outer surfaces of the adjacent baseboard pieces.