Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Framing to receive door – doorjamb – or window sash – Architrave; i.e. – finish strip on floor – ceiling – or wall...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-12-27
2004-04-27
Chapman, Jeanette (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Framing to receive door, doorjamb, or window sash
Architrave; i.e., finish strip on floor, ceiling, or wall...
C052S036300, C052S311200, C052S312000, C052S316000, C052S717010, C052S717050, C052S718040
Reexamination Certificate
active
06725614
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates to decorative molding assemblies for framing openings of residential or commercial structures, and more particularly to a decorative surround molding apparatus for decoratively framing a doorway, window, patio door, garage door opening, etc. of a residential or commercial structure.
2. Discussion
Molding assemblies are used in a variety of applications to frame or “surround” doorways, windows, patio doors, garage doors etc., to thus provide a decorative, aesthetically appealing framing for such doorways, windows or areas of a structure. In recent years, these surround-molding assemblies have been manufactured from plastics such as high-density polyurethane. In general, plastics provide significant advantages over natural wood. For example, door surround molding assemblies or components thereof manufactured from plastic are low in maintenance when compared with natural wood molding assemblies. Plastic molding assemblies are not susceptible to moisture and therefore will not decay, warp or splinter like natural wood. However, there is still a need to divert water away from the door or window. Advantageously, plastic surround molding assemblies or components thereof can be sawed, drilled, glued or nailed just like natural wood. Still further, during the manufacture of plastic molding assemblies, plastic can be tinted with dyes or other materials to provide molding assembly components which are of desired colors, thus obviating the need for painting prior or subsequent to installation on a structure.
Prior developed door surround molding assemblies have typically required the various components comprising the assembly to be secured directly to the structure via nails, threaded fasteners or other like securing implements. Most typically, the various components have been provided with one or more flanges including a plurality of apertures through which the nails or other like fastening elements are driven to secure each molding sub-component to the structure. While generally effective in securing the various door surround molding components to the structure, the requirement that nails or other like threaded fastening elements be used can sometimes add to the time and expense associated with installing the complete surround molding assembly. Once installed, should one component of the surround molding assembly need to be removed or replaced, the use of threaded fasteners or nails can sometimes complicate the task of removing and replacing the sub-components of the molding assembly. Also, there are times when flanges cannot be used and the molding components must be fastened to the structure in another manner such as fastening through the exterior face of the molding. However, because these fasteners are visible from the exterior face of the molding further work may be required to achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a surround molding for a doorway, window or other portion of a building to provide a decorative and aesthetically pleasing appearance, while hiding the fasteners that attach the molding to the support structure.
It is a further object to provide a versatile molding that can accommodate various other trim components that may abut the molding.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a surround molding assembly for a doorway, window, archway or other portion of a structure which provides a decorative, aesthetically pleasing appearance, and in which the components of the surround assembly include interlocking portions adapted to interconnecting two or more molding components together. In this manner, the decorative molding components of the assembly could be securely, yet releasably held to the structure, while reducing the use of nails, threaded fasteners or other like fastening elements.
Accordingly, it is another object of the present invention to provide a surround molding assembly for a doorway, window or other portion of a building to provide a decorative and aesthetically pleasing appearance, while enabling one or more sub-components of the molding assembly to be secured to the structure in a secure, yet releasable fashion, without the need for a large plurality of nails or threaded fasteners to be employed.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a surround molding assembly for a doorway, window, archway or other portion of a structure which provides a decorative, aesthetically pleasing appearance, and in which each of the components of the surround assembly include one or more securing portions adapted to releasably engage with one or more hanger members fixedly secured to the structure. In this manner, the decorative molding components of the assembly could be securely, yet releasably held to the structure, without the use of a large plurality of nails, threaded fasteners or other like fastening elements.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a surround molding assembly adapted to be secured to a structure to surround a doorway, window, archway, etc., where the apparatus includes a pair of vertical molding members each including a securing portion which is releasably securable to a hanger member fixedly secured along vertical portions of the doorway or window, and an independent mantle molding member having a securing portion which is releasably securable to a hanger member secured to the structure.
It is yet another object of one or more embodiments of the present invention to provide a surround molding assembly for an oversized or any sized doorway, window, archway or other portion of a structure which provides a decorative, aesthetically pleasing appearance, and in which the components of the surround assembly include mantle bases and pilaster bases which interlock with corresponding trim elements in the same manner as one another for relative ease of assembly. Furthermore, the invention includes interconnecting cover molding components and may include a cap for covering any joint formed therebetween.
Further objects of invention may be understood from the following description and drawings, and the various claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above and other objects are provided by a door surround molding apparatus and method of assembly in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention. A decorative molding strip comprises a base strip having spaced inside and outside edges and a plurality of apertures for attaching the base to a support structure. A decorative strip is spaced from the base strip and has spaced inside and outside edges for covering the base strip. A sidewall interconnects the inside edges of the strips and a living hinge interconnects the sidewall and the decorative strip. The sidewall also interconnects the base strip. The decorative strip may be pivoted about the living hinge to a closed position over the base strip to hide the apertures. A support member removeably interconnects the base strip and the decorative strip for supporting the decorative portion in a spaced relationship to the base strip in the closed position. A retaining mechanism retains the decorative strip over the base strip when the decorative strip is in the closed position.
The present invention also provides a decorative molding surround assembly for a door or window comprising a first decorative molding member having a first appendage, a second decorative molding member having an outer surface, and a third decorative molding member disposed between said first and second members. The third member interconnects the first and second members without external fasteners. The third member has a second appendage for receiving the first appendage for holding the first member in abutting relationship. The third member also includes an opening for retaining the outer surface of the second member.
In another aspect of the invention, the door surround molding apparatus, in one preferred embodiment, comprises at least one vertical molding member which is positi
Allen Clyde G.
Dennis Dean
Schiedegger Charles E.
Chapman Jeanette
Howard & Howard
Tapco International Corporation
LandOfFree
Decorative trim assemblies does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Decorative trim assemblies, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Decorative trim assemblies will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3231888