Architectural trim product

• US 7,036,282 B1
• Filed: 05/07/2004
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ALSCO Metals Corp.
• Original Assignee: ALSCO Metals Corp.
• Inventors: Keddell, Peter M.
• Primary Examiner(s): SLACK, NAOKO N
• Application Number:
  US10/841,013
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 522/871, 523/098, 523/099, 523/091.4, 523/12, 527/168, 527/170.1, 527/170.4, 527/170.6
• US Class Current: 52/287.1
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 13/00 Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings flooring E04F15/00; decoration of surfaces, mosaic work B44, e.g. paper-hanging B44C7/00; made of webs, e.g. of fabrics or wallpaper , as such, or their manufacturing D03D, D04G, D04H, D06N, D21H; construction of false ceilings E04B9/00; roofings or similar water-tight coverings against precipitation E04D
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 19/02 Borders; Finishing strips, e.g. beadings; Light coves for protecting edges of plaster E04F13/06
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 19/0463 Plinths fixed by snap-action in a direction perpendicular to the wall
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2019/0413 of metal
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2019/0431 of two or more materials
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2019/0454 with decorative effects

Abstract

An elongated horizontal transitional trim product includes an elongated, molded, horizontally-positionable stiffening block. The block has a flat, vertical back surface; a flat, horizontal top surface; a flat, horizontal bottom surface; and a front surface. The front surface extends between an outer edge proximate to the top surface and an outer edge proximate to the bottom surface, and has a cross-sectional profile that includes a plurality of interconnected curved and vertical and horizontal flat surfaces. The stiffening block is capable of being secured directly to a flat, vertical surface of a building. The trim product further includes an elongated deformable metallic sheet terminating in respective upper and lower end sections located above and below a central section. The central section of the metallic sheet includes a plurality of interconnected, continuous surfaces in its cross-sectional profile which mate and snugly fit with the cross-sectional profile of the stiffening block. The metallic sheet is capable of being mounted onto the stiffening block by utilizing the shape of the central, upper, and lower end sections of the sheet to support and maintain the sheet on the stiffening block prior to installing other support means.

Claims

1. An elongated horizontal transitional trim product comprising:

a) an elongated, molded, horizontally-positionable stiffening block, comprising;

i) a flat, vertical back surface;

ii) a flat, horizontal top surface;

iii) a flat, horizontal bottom surface; and

iv) a front surface extending between an outer edge proximate said top surface and an outer edge proximate said bottom surface, and having a cross-sectional profile wherein a plurality of interconnected, continuous surfaces, include both flat and curved, vertical and horizontal surfaces;

b) wherein the stiffening block is capable of being secured directly to a flat, vertical surface of a building; and

c) an elongated, horizontally positionable deformable metallic sheet terminating in respective upper and lower end sections located above and below a central section and characterized by said central section providing, in its cross-sectional profile, a plurality of interconnected, continuous surfaces, which mate and snugly fit with the cross-sectional profile of said stiffening block, said central, upper, and lower end sections being shaped so as to enable said sheet, prior to installation of other support means, to be installed on, supported by, and closely fitted to said stiffening block;

d) wherein the metallic sheet is capable of being mounted onto said stiffening block by utilizing the shape of said central, upper, and lower end sections of said sheet to support and maintain said sheet on said stiffening block prior to installation of other support means.

2. The transitional trim product of claim 1, wherein said upper-end section of said sheet is formed in a U-shape adapted to receive and snugly fit an exposed edge of a horizontal member secured to said building outwardly of said trim product.

3. The transitional trim product of claim 1, wherein said sheet of deformable metallic material is chosen from aluminum, copper and steel.

4. The transitional trim product of claim 1, wherein said molded stiffening block is made of foamed plastic resin.

5. An architectural trim product comprising:

(a) a block having a rear mounting surface and a front face, the front face having a contour comprising a plurality of adjoined surfaces comprising at least one substantially vertical surface, at least one substantially horizontal surface, and at least one non-planar surface;

(b) a metallic sheet comprising a forward surface, an upper retainer portion, and a lower retainer portion, wherein the forward surface substantially corresponds in shape to the contour of the front surface of the block;

(c) wherein the upper and lower retainer portions are configured to retain the metallic sheet on the block when the forward surface of the metallic sheet is correspondingly engaged over the contour of the front face of the block.

6. An architectural trim product according to claim 5 wherein the block comprises plastic foam.

7. An architectural trim product according to claim 5 wherein the metallic sheet comprises aluminum.

8. An architectural trim product according to claim 5 wherein the block further comprises a lower portion and the lower retainer portion of the metallic sheet comprises a bottom portion configured to at least partially support the lower portion of the block.

9. An architectural trim product according to claim 5 wherein the block further comprises an upper ledge and the upper retainer portion of the metallic sheet comprises a substantially rearwardly extending member that engages the upper ledge.

10. An architectural trim product according to claim 5 wherein the metallic sheet further comprises a soffit-receiving channel.

11. An elongated architectural trim product comprising:

(a) an elongated thin-walled metallic cover comprising a plurality of adjoined, non-parallel surfaces forming an inner profile, the non-parallel surfaces including at least one substantially vertical surface, at least one substantially horizontal surface, and at least one non-planar surface; and

(b) a foam core comprising a forward face that substantially corresponds in shape to the inner profile of the cover;

(c) wherein the trim product is configured to mate with an inside corner of an architectural structure.

12. An elongated architectural trim product according to claim 11 wherein the metallic cover further comprises at least one retainer portion configured to removably retain the metallic cover on the foam core.

13. An elongated architectural trim product according to claim 12, wherein the foam core further comprises a lower portion and the retainer portion of the metallic sheet comprises a bottom configured to at least partially support a lower portion of the core.

14. An elongated architectural trim product according to claim 12, wherein the foam core further comprises an upper ledge and the retainer portion of the metallic sheet comprises a rearwardly extending member configured to engage the upper ledge of the core.

15. An elongated architectural trim product according to claim 11 wherein the foam core further comprises a substantially vertical rear face.

16. An elongated architectural trim product according to claim 11 wherein the metallic cover further comprises a soffit-receiving channel.

17. An architectural frieze comprising:

(a) a sheet metal skin having a front face comprising a series of interconnected non-parallel surfaces forming a facial profile, the non-parallel surfaces including at least one substantially vertical surface, at least one substantially horizontal surface, and at least one non-planar surface;

(b) a core underlying the sheet metal skin, wherein at least a portion of the core substantially conforms to the facial profile of the overlying sheet metal skin; and

(c) retaining means for retaining the sheet metal skin on the core.

18. An architectural frieze according to claim 17 wherein the sheet metal skin comprises aluminum.

19. An architectural frieze according to claim 17 wherein the core comprises synthetic foam.

20. An architectural frieze according to claim 17 wherein an upper portion of the sheet metal skin further comprises a soffit-receiving channel.

21. An architectural frieze according to claim 17 wherein the retaining means comprises a bottom of the sheet metal skin configured to at least partially support a portion of the core.

22. An architectural frieze according to claim 17 wherein the retaining means comprises a rearwardly extending member configured to engage a ledge on the core.