Column cover reveal

• US 10,640,987 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2017
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fry Reglet Corporation
• Original Assignee: Fry Reglet Corporation
• Inventors: Stuart, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Kwiecinski, Ryan D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gitlin, Matthew J
• Application Number:
  US15/843,265
• Publication Number:
  US 20180202168A1
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 405251, 405252, 403293, 403305, 285331, 285398, 285371, 522235
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 5/523 composed of segments
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 3/30 Columns; Pillars; Struts not designed for end loading E04C3/02; posts, masts, as independent structures E04H12/00
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 3/32 of metal E04C3/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 3/36 of materials not covered by groups E04C3/32 or E04C3/34; of a combination of two or more materials
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 13/0736 for columns
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 13/076 characterised by the joints between neighbouring elements, e.g. with joint fillings or with tongue and groove connections not used, see E04F13/0889
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 13/0803 with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 13/12 of metal or with an outer layer of metal or enameled metal E04F13/0864 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2201/0517 U- or C-shaped brackets and clamps
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2203/02 having particular shapes, other than square or rectangular, e.g. triangular, hexagonal, circular, irregular
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2290/00 Specially adapted covering, lining or flooring elements not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 21/022 used with sleeves or nipples for pipes of the same diameter, or with reduction pieces F16L21/025 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/55 Member ends joined by inserted section

Abstract

A column cover system includes a first column skin, a second column skin, and a column joint vertically connecting the first column skin and the second column skin. The column joint includes at least one monolithic column joint portion that defines an upper retaining ring and a lower retaining ring. When assembled, the first column skin is seated within the upper retaining ring and the second column skin is seated within the lower retaining ring.

Claims

1. A column cover system for a column, the system comprising:

a first column skin comprising an inner surface and an outer surface;

a second column skin comprising an inner surface and an outer surface; and

a column joint vertically connecting the first column skin and the second column skin, wherein the column joint comprises at least one monolithic column joint portion comprising;

a body having an outer surface, an inner surface, an upper end and a lower end opposite from the upper end;

an upper retaining ring extending outwardly from the outer surface of the body between the upper end and the lower end, wherein the first column skin is seated within the upper retaining ring, and wherein the upper retaining ring comprises an upper ledge surface that is substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the body;

a lower retaining ring extending outwardly from the outer surface of the body between the upper retaining ring and the lower end, wherein the second column skin is seated within the lower retaining ring, and wherein the lower retaining ring comprises a lower ledge surface that is substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the body;

a first fastener positioned on the outer surface of the body between the upper retaining ring and the upper end of the body, wherein the first fastener secures the first column skin to the body; and

a second fastener positioned on the outer surface of the body between the lower retaining ring and the lower end of the body, wherein the second fastener secures the second column skin to the body and further comprising a tensioning bracket configured to apply pressure against the column joint portion such that a shape of the column joint portion is adjustable in a lateral direction.

2. The column cover system of claim 1, wherein the column joint portion further comprises:

a retaining ledge having an upper retaining ledge surface and a lower retaining ledge surface;

an upper retaining projection on the retaining ledge that extends at an angle from the upper retaining ledge surface and that is spaced apart from the outer surface of the body; and

a lower retaining projection on the retaining ledge that extends at an angle from the lower retaining ledge surface and that is spaced apart from the outer surface of the body,

wherein the outer surface of the body, the upper retaining ledge surface, and the upper retaining projection define the upper retaining ring, and

wherein the outer surface of the body, the lower retaining ledge surface, and the lower retaining projection define the lower retaining ring.

3. The column cover system of claim 1, wherein the column joint portion further comprises:

an upper retaining ledge having an upper retaining ledge surface;

a lower retaining ledge having a lower retaining ledge surface and spaced apart from the upper retaining ledge such that a reveal is defined between the upper retaining ledge and the lower retaining ledge;

an upper retaining projection on the upper retaining ledge that extends at an angle from the upper retaining ledge surface and that is spaced apart from the outer surface of the body; and

a lower retaining projection on the lower retaining ledge that extends at an angle from the lower retaining ledge surface and that is spaced apart from the outer surface of the body,

wherein the outer surface of the body, the upper retaining ledge surface, and the upper retaining projection define the upper retaining ring, and

wherein the outer surface of the body, the lower retaining ledge surface, and the lower retaining projection define the lower retaining ring.

4. The column cover system of claim 3, wherein the upper retaining projection and the lower retaining projection extend toward the reveal.

5. The column cover system of claim 3, wherein the upper retaining projection and the lower retaining projection extend away from the reveal.

6. The column cover system of claim 3, wherein the reveal comprises a reveal surface that is recessed relative to the outer surface of the body of the column joint portion.

7. The column cover system of claim 1, wherein the at least one column joint portion comprises a plurality of monolithic column joint portions configured collectively to encompass the column.

8. The column cover system of claim 1, wherein the tensioning bracket is further configured to apply pressure against the column joint portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the body.

14. The column cover system of claim 1, wherein:

the body of the at least one monolithic column cover joint portion comprises a first side edge and a second side edge opposite from the first side edge;

a distance from the first side edge of the body to the second side edge of the body is a width of the body;

the at least one monolithic column cover joint portion comprises a retaining ledge extending outwardly from the outer surface of the body;

the retaining ledge at least partially defines the upper retaining ring and comprises a first side edge and a second side edge opposite from the first side edge;

a distance from the first side edge of the retaining ledge to the second side edge of the retaining ledge is a width of the retaining ledge; and

the width of the retaining ledge is greater than the width of the body such that a gap is defined between the first side edge of the retaining ledge and the first side edge of the body.

15. The column cover system of claim 14, wherein the first column skin comprises a column skin body and a side flange that extends at an angle relative to the column skin body, wherein a portion of the column skin body of the first column skin is positioned within the upper retaining ring, and wherein the side flange of the first column skin extends into the gap.

9. A column cover system comprising:

a column skin comprising a skin body and a side flange extending at an angle relative to the skin body; and

at least one monolithic column joint portion, wherein the at least one monolithic column joint portion comprises;

a joint body comprising an inner surface, an outer surface, a first side edge, and a second side edge opposite from the first side edge, wherein a distance from the first side edge to the second side edge is a width of the joint body; and

at least one retaining ledge extending outwardly from the outer surface of the joint body and comprising at least one retaining ring, a first side edge, and a second side edge opposite from the first side edge, wherein the first side edge of the at least one retaining ledge is proximate to the first side edge of the joint body and the second side edge of the at least one retaining ledge is proximate to the second side edge of the joint body, and wherein a distance from the first side edge of the at least one retaining ledge to the second side edge of the at least one retaining ledge is a width of the at least one retaining ledge,

wherein the width of the at least one retaining ledge is greater than the width of the joint body such that a gap is defined between the first side edge of the at least one retaining ledge and the first side edge of the joint body, and

wherein the column skin is positioned relative to the at least one monolithic column joint portion such that at least a portion of the skin body is received within the at least one retaining ring and the side flange of the column skin extends into the gap.

10. The column cover system of claim 9, wherein at least one retaining ring comprises an upper retaining ring and a lower retaining ring, wherein the at least one retaining ledge comprises an upper retaining ledge surface and a lower retaining ledge surface, and wherein the at least one monolithic column joint portion comprises:

an upper retaining projection on the at least one retaining ledge that extends at an angle relative to the upper retaining ledge surface and that is spaced apart from the outer surface of the joint body; and

a lower retaining projection on the retaining ledge that extends at an angle relative to the lower retaining ledge surface and that is spaced apart from the outer surface of the joint body,

wherein the outer surface of the joint body, the upper retaining ledge surface, and the upper retaining projection define the upper retaining ring, and

wherein the outer surface of the joint body, the lower retaining ledge surface, and the lower retaining projection define the lower retaining ring.

11. The column cover system of claim 9, wherein:

the at least one retaining ring comprises an upper retaining ring and a lower retaining ring;

the at least one retaining ledge comprises an upper retaining ledge having an upper retaining ledge surface and a lower retaining ledge having a lower retaining ledge surface, wherein the lower retaining ledge is spaced apart from the upper retaining ledge such that a reveal is defined between the upper retaining ledge and the lower retaining ledge;

the at least one monolithic column joint portion further comprises;

an upper retaining projection on the upper retaining ledge that extends at an angle relative to the upper retaining ledge surface and that is spaced apart from the outer surface of the joint body; and

a lower retaining projection on the lower retaining ledge that extends at an angle relative to the lower retaining ledge surface and that is spaced apart from the outer surface of the joint body,

the outer surface of the joint body, the upper retaining ledge surface, and the upper retaining projection define the upper retaining ring, and

the outer surface of the joint body, the lower retaining ledge surface, and the lower retaining projection define the lower retaining ring.

12. The column cover system of claim 11, wherein the reveal comprises a reveal surface that is recessed relative to the outer surface of the joint body.

13. The column cover system of claim 9, further comprising a tensioning bracket configured to apply pressure against the at least one monolithic column joint portion such that a shape of the at least one monolithic column joint portion is adjustable in a lateral direction.

16. A column cover system for a column, the system comprising:

a first column skin comprising an inner surface and an outer surface;

a second column skin comprising an inner surface and an outer surface; and

a column joint vertically connecting the first column skin and the second column skin, wherein the column joint comprises at least one monolithic column joint portion comprising;

a body having an outer surface, an inner surface, an upper end and a lower end opposite from the upper end;

an upper retaining ring extending outwardly from the outer surface of the body between the upper end and the lower end, wherein the first column skin is seated within the upper retaining ring;

a lower retaining ring extending outwardly from the outer surface of the body between the upper retaining ring and the lower end, wherein the second column skin is seated within the lower retaining ring;

a first fastener positioned on the outer surface of the body between the upper retaining ring and the upper end of the body, wherein the first fastener secures the first column skin to the body; and

a second fastener positioned on the outer surface of the body between the lower retaining ring and the lower end of the body, wherein the second fastener secures the second column skin to the body,

wherein the column joint portion further comprises;

an upper retaining ledge having an upper retaining ledge surface;

a lower retaining ledge having a lower retaining ledge surface and spaced apart from the upper retaining ledge such that a reveal is defined between the upper retaining ledge and the lower retaining ledge;

an upper retaining projection on the upper retaining ledge that extends at an angle from the upper retaining ledge surface and that is spaced apart from the outer surface of the body; and

a lower retaining projection on the lower retaining ledge that extends at an angle from the lower retaining ledge surface and that is spaced apart from the outer surface of the body,

wherein the outer surface of the body, the upper retaining ledge surface, and the upper retaining projection define the upper retaining ring,

wherein the outer surface of the body, the lower retaining ledge surface, and the lower retaining projection define the lower retaining ring, and

wherein the reveal comprises a reveal surface that is recessed relative to the outer surface of the body of the column joint portion.

17. A column cover system for a column, the system comprising:

a first column skin comprising an inner surface and an outer surface;

a second column skin comprising an inner surface and an outer surface; and

a column joint vertically connecting the first column skin and the second column skin, wherein the column joint comprises at least one monolithic column joint portion comprising;

a body having an outer surface, an inner surface, an upper end and a lower end opposite from the upper end;

an upper retaining ring extending outwardly from the outer surface of the body between the upper end and the lower end, wherein the first column skin is seated within the upper retaining ring;

a lower retaining ring extending outwardly from the outer surface of the body between the upper retaining ring and the lower end, wherein the second column skin is seated within the lower retaining ring;

a first fastener positioned on the outer surface of the body between the upper retaining ring and the upper end of the body, wherein the first fastener secures the first column skin to the body; and

a second fastener positioned on the outer surface of the body between the lower retaining ring and the lower end of the body, wherein the second fastener secures the second column skin to the body,

wherein;

the body of the at least one monolithic column cover joint portion comprises a first side edge and a second side edge opposite from the first side edge;

a distance from the first side edge of the body to the second side edge of the body is a width of the body;

the at least one monolithic column cover joint portion comprises a retaining ledge extending outwardly from the outer surface of the body;

the retaining ledge at least partially defines the upper retaining ring and comprises a first side edge and a second side edge opposite from the first side edge;

a distance from the first side edge of the retaining ledge to the second side edge of the retaining ledge is a width of the retaining ledge; and

the width of the retaining ledge is greater than the width of the body such that a gap is defined between the first side edge of the retaining ledge and the first side edge of the body.