COLUMN COVER REVEAL

• US 20180202168A1
• Filed: 12/15/2017
• Published: 07/19/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fry Reglet Corporation
• Original Assignee: Fry Reglet Corporation
• Inventors: Stuart, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 10,640,987 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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;

a second column skin; 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 defining an upper retaining ring and a lower retaining ring, wherein the first column skin is seated within the upper retaining ring and the second column skin is seated within the lower retaining ring.

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

a front surface;

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

an upper retaining projection on the retaining ledge and spaced apart from the front surface; and

a lower retaining projection on the retaining ledge and spaced apart from the front surface,

wherein the front surface, upper retaining ledge surface, and the upper retaining projection define the upper retaining ring, and

wherein the front surface, 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:

a front surface;

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 and spaced apart from the front surface; and

a lower retaining projection on the lower retaining ledge and spaced apart from the front surface,

wherein the front surface, upper retaining ledge surface, and the upper retaining projection define the upper retaining ring, and

wherein the front surface, 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 front surface 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 column joint further comprises a first fastener securing the first column skin to a front surface of the column joint portion in the first retaining ring and a second fastener securing the second column skin to the front surface of the column joint portion in the second retaining ring.

9. The column cover system of claim 1, further comprising a tensioning bracket configured to apply pressure against the column joint portion.

10. A column joint for a column cover assembly comprising:

a first monolithic column joint portion; and

a second monolithic column joint portion,

wherein the first column joint portion and the second column joint portion each comprise an upper retaining ring and a lower retaining ring,

wherein the upper retaining ring of the first column joint portion is aligned with the upper retaining ring of the second column joint portion and the lower retaining ring of the first column joint portion is aligned with the lower retaining ring of the second column joint portion, and

wherein the first and second monolithic column joint portions are configured to receive a first column skin in the upper retaining rings and a second column skin in the lower retaining rings.

11. The column joint of claim 10, wherein each column joint portion comprises:

a front surface;

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

an upper retaining projection on the retaining ledge and spaced apart from the front surface; and

a lower retaining projection on the retaining ledge and spaced apart from the front surface,

wherein the front surface, upper retaining ledge surface, and the upper retaining projection define the upper retaining ring, and

wherein the front surface, lower retaining ledge surface, and the lower retaining projection define the lower retaining ring.

12. The column joint of claim 10, wherein each column joint portion comprises:

a front surface;

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 and spaced apart from the front surface; and

a lower retaining projection on the lower retaining ledge and spaced apart from the front surface,

wherein the front surface, upper retaining ledge surface, and the upper retaining projection define the upper retaining ring, and

wherein the front surface, lower retaining ledge surface, and the lower retaining projection define the lower retaining ring.

13. The column joint of claim 12, wherein the reveal comprises a reveal surface that is recessed relative to the front surface of the column joint portion.

14. The column joint of claim 10, further comprising a tensioning bracket configured to apply pressure against the second column joint portion such that the second column joint portion is aligned with the first column joint portion.

15. A method of assembling a column cover system comprising:

assembling at least two monolithic column joint portions into a column joint;

seating a first column skin within an upper retaining ring defined by the column joint portions; and

seating a second column skin within a lower retaining ring defined by the column joint portions such that the second column skin is vertically connected to the first column skin through the column joint.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein seating the first column skin comprises seating the first column skin adjacent an upper retaining ledge surface and adjacent to a front surface of the column joint portions, and wherein seating the second column skin comprises seating the second column skin adjacent a lower retaining ledge surface and adjacent to the front surface of the column joint portions.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the upper retaining ledge surface and the lower retaining ledge surface are defined by a retaining ledge.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the upper retaining ledge surface is defined by an upper retaining ledge and the lower retaining ledge surface is defined by a lower retaining ledge, and wherein a reveal is defined between the upper retaining ledge and the lower retaining ledge such that the reveal is vertically between the first column skin and the second column skin when the first column skin is seated in the upper retaining ring and the second column skin is seated in the lower retaining ring.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising adjusting a shape of the column joint portions by adjusting a tensioning bracket.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising securing the first column skin to a front surface of the column joint portions with a first fastener and securing the second column skin to the front surface of the column joint portions with a second fastener.