CORNICE JOINING ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to a cornice. In particular, this invention relates to a cornice joining member and assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Building panels such as walls and ceilings may be decorated with ornaments such as cornices, covings, picture rails, ceiling roses, skirting boards and timber mouldings that cover unsightly joints or otherwise provide decoration.

These types of ornaments are particularly common in older houses under restoration, or as reproductions that give a new house a traditional appearance.

Ornaments such as cornices are typically made of plaster, which makes them difficult to remove for the purposes of replacement, and difficult to install without the assistance of a tradesman or skilled home handyman.

This problem has been addressed International Publication

WO02/099224 which describes a removably mountable cornice that may be installed de novo or may be installed to cover an existing plaster cornice, thereby avoiding damage or removal of the existing cornice and avoid damage to walls and ceilings.

However, there is a need to form an aesthetically attractive and simple to install join between adjacent cornices, particularly at an angled junction between adjacent walls or other structures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is broadly directed to a cornice joining member, cornice joining assembly and/or cornice member for joining, supporting or otherwise interconnecting adjacent cornices that is aesthetically attractive and relatively simple to install.

A preferred advantage of the cornice joining member and/or cornice joining assembly is that when mounted to a ceiling and/or wall, the

joining member is located between the cornice member and the ceiling and/or wall and is therefore substantially not visible to the observer.

In one aspect, the invention provides a joining member capable of interconnecting respective cornice members, said joining member comprising a body which is capable of interconnecting said respective cornice members.

Suitably, in use, said joining member is located between said cornice members and one or more building panels to which said cornice members are mounted. Thus, the joining member is located essentially between the cornice member and the ceiling and/or wall and is therefore substantially not visible to the observer, which enhances of the aesthetic appeal of the joining member.

In a preferred embodiment, said joining member further comprises one or more mating portions engageable with said respective cornice members.

Preferably, said joining member comprises two mating portions that can releasably engage complementary mating portions of said cornice member and said joining member. In one embodiment, the cornice joining member body is angled.

In another embodiment, the cornice joining member body is essentially or substantially planar.

In an alternative embodiment, the joining member consists essentially of a body which may be mounted to said respective cornice members by way of glue, adhesive or other bonding material.

In another aspect, the invention provides a cornice assembly comprising one or more cornice members and one or more joining members, the one or more joining members each comprising a body which is capable of interconnecting said respective cornice members. Suitably, in use, said joining member is located between said cornice members and one or more building panels to which said cornice members are mounted.

Thus, the joining member is located essentially between the cornice member and the ceiling and/or wall and is therefore substantially not visible to the observer, which enhances of the aesthetic appeal of the joining member In a preferred embodiment, said joining member further comprises one or more mating portions engeagable with said respective cornice members.

Preferably, said joining member comprises two mating portions that can releasably engage complementary mating portions of said cornice member and said joining member.

In one embodiment, the cornice joining member body is angled. In another embodiment, the cornice joining member body is essentially or substantially planar.

Alternatively, the joining member consists essentially of a body which may be mounted to said respective cornice members by way of glue, adhesive or other bonding material.

In a particular embodiment, the cornice assembly further comprises one or more mounting brackets that facilitate mounting the one or more cornice members to one or more building panels. The cornice assembly of the invention may be particularly useful as a kit comprising a plurality cornice members, at least one joining member and at least one mounting bracket.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a cornice member comprising one or more flanged portions located at least partly along one or both peripheral edge of said cornice member, said flanged portions capable of receiving an adhesive that facilitates mounting of said cornice member to a building panel.

Preferably, said flanged portions are located along both peripheral edge of said cornice member. In one particular use, said flanged portions are adapted to receive mating portions of the joining member of the first-mentioned aspect.

In another further aspect, the invention provides one or more

building panels having the cornice assembly of the second-mentioned aspect mounted thereto.

In yet another further aspect, the invention provides a method of joining respective cornice members including the step of mounting a joining member of the first-mentioned aspect to a join formed by said respective cornice members.

Preferably, the method includes the step of engaging one or more mating portions of the joining member with one or more complementary mating portions of said adjacent cornice members. Throughout this specification, unless otherwise indicated,

"comprise", "comprises" and "comprising" are used inclusively rather than exclusively, so that a stated integer or group of integers may include one or more other non-stated integers or groups of integers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Non-limiting embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to drawings wherein:

FlG. 1 shows a cornice assembly mounted to a wall and ceiling; FIG.2 shows a cornice assembly comprising cornice members and joining members; FIG.3 shows a cornice assembly comprising cornice members, joining members and mounting bracket;

FIG. 4 shown another embodiment of a joining member, wherein the body is substantially or essentially planar.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a cornice member; FIG. 6A shows said another embodiment of a cornice member; and

FIG. 6B shows a particular embodiment of a joining member which is adapted for use at a junction between a wall and ceiling; and

FIG. 7A shows said another embodiment of a cornice member; and

FIG. 7B shows one particular embodiment of a joining member which is adapted for use at a junction between walls; and FIG. 7C shows another particular embodiment of a joining member which is adapted for use at a junction between walls.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

International Publication WO02/099224 describes a removably mountable cornice that may be installed de novo or may be installed to cover an existing plaster cornice, thereby avoiding damage or removal of the existing cornice.

Although WO02/099224 describes mitred joins between adjacent cornice members described therein, in practice the cornice members can be too thin to enable tight joins to be formed between the adjacent cornice members. A non-limiting example of such a situation addressed by the present invention may be understood by referring to FIG. 1 , where cornice assembly 10 is mounted to building panels, namely ceiling 32 and wall panels 31A, 31 B, 31C.and 31 D.

Cornice assembly 10 comprises respective cornice members 2OA, 2OB, 2OC and 2OD that form respective joins 21 A, 21 B and 21 C.

It will be appreciated that the profiles of decorative faces 25A, 25B, 25C and 25D are matched for aesthetic appeal and also to ensure as near a perfect mitred join as possible between respective cornice members 2OA, 2OB, 2OC and 2OD. Preferably, cornice members 2OA, 2OB, 2OC and 2OD are formed of an extruded plastic, although other suitable materials may be used.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , cornice assembly 10 provides a continuous cornice 20 that can accommodate joins 21 A, 21 B, 21 C between adjacent walls 31 A, 31 B, 31 C, 31 D or between a wall 31 and another vertical structure such as a support post or vertical architrave.

Typically, the angle formed by between adjacent wall panels 31 and /or other vertical structures is about 90 degrees, such as when used on a "square" corner, but this may be varied to accommodate other angles such as associated with bay windows (e.g. about 135 degrees) and other "non- square" structures.

Referring now to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, cornice assembly 10 further comprises joining members 11 A.

Each joining member 11 comprises angled body 14 comprising panels 17A, 17B and angled mating members 15A, 15B, which in this embodiment are elongate or rod like members..

Typically, the angle formed by angled body 14 and angled mating members 15A, 15B will be about 90 degrees when used on a "square" corner, but this may be varied to accommodate other angles such as associated with bay windows (e.g. about 135 degrees) and other "non- square" structures, as previously described.

It will also be appreciated that the shape of angled body 14 will be contoured to at least approximately conform to the profile of cornice members 21 and is not limited to the particular cornice member 11 profile described herein.

One particular advantage of the present invention is that joining member 11 may be adapted to virtually any cornice member 21 profile. Each cornice member 20 comprises complementary mating portions 27A, 27B, that are preferably in the form of channels, for receiving angled mating members 15A, 15B of joining members 11

In order to mount cornice assembly 10 to building panels such as wall 31 and ceiling 32, one or more mounting brackets 60 may be utilized. Preferably, mounting bracket 60 comprises interconnected arms 61 A, 61 B terminating in respective mating ends 62A, 62B.

Arms 61 A, 61 B further comprise respective apertures 63A, 63B that assist mounting to building panels, such as by way of screws (not shown). For example, right-angle bracket 60 shown in FIG. 3 may be mounted so that arm 61 A is screwed to ceiling 32 and arm 61 B is screwed to wall 31.

Mating ends 62A, 62B of mounting bracket are received by complementary mating portions 27A, 27B of cornice member 2OA to thereby removably mount cornice member 2OA.

Joining members 11 are mounted respectively to rear faces 26A, 26B and 26C of respective cornice members 2OA, 2OB, 2OC at respective joins 21 A, 21 B formed by cornice members 2OA, 2OB and 2OC. Angled mating members 15A, 15B are received by complementary mating

portions 27A, 27B of each cornice member 20.

There will typically be a slight gap formed at joins 21 A, 21 B, which can be filled with the aid of a gap filler or adhesive typically used in the building industry. Angled body 14 of joining member 11 allows filler to be applied without having the filler spread uncontrollably and thereby limits the amount of filler that needs to be used. Once applied, the gap filler may readily be sanded, ground and/or polished to provide smooth, seamless joins 21A, 21 B between respective cornice members 2OA, 2OB, 2OC.

The cornice assembly of the invention can be removably installed de novo or may be used to cover an existing cornice, thereby avoiding damage or removal of the existing cornice.

In this regard, particular reference is made to WO02/099224 which is incorporated herein by reference and describes brackets that facilitate removably mounting a cornice member over an existing cornice. The brackets described in WO02/099224 have mating portions that are capable of being received by complementary mating portions 27A, 27B of a cornice member 20 described herein.

It will also be appreciated that whilst the cornice assembly 10 of the present invention is hereinbefore exemplified comprising angled body 14 for joining angled joins 21 between cornice members 2OA, 2OB and 2OC, joining member(s) 11 may also be used to join aligned cornice members

2OA, 2OB and/or 2OC (Le oriented at approximately 180° to each other). In such a case, and referring to FIG. 4, body 14 of joining member 11 is not angled, but is instead essentially planar but shaped to accommodate the profile of aligned cornice members 2OA, 2OB and/or 20C. Similarly, mating members 15A, 15B are not angled but instead are each oriented at 180°

(Le substantially parallel to each other).

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that channels 27A, 27B and rod- like mating members 15A, 15B provide but one complementary configuration that falls within the broad inventive concept.

Alternatively, the invention contemplates an embodiment wherein cornice member 2OA, for example, is modified so that respective portions

comprising channels 27A, 27B are absent or removed to form a 180° joining member 11. This 180° joining member 11 can be glued to rear 26B, 26C at join 21 B when adjacent cornice members 2OB, 2OC are oriented at 180° to each other. Any gaps present at join 21 B can be filled with a gap- filler and sanded, ground and/or polished to provide a smooth, seamless join 21 B between adjacent cornice members 2OB and 2OC.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which describes another embodiment of cornice member 20.

As shown in FIG. 5, cornice member 120 comprises mating portions 127A, 127B in the form of channels that are capable of receiving mating members of mounting bracket 160 and joining member 111 (not shown) as hereinbefore described.

Cornice member 120 comprises decorative face 125 and rear face 126 and further comprises flanged portions 180A, 180B that comprise opposed fingers, ribs or ridges 128A, 128B that extend along substantially the entire length of peripheral edges 190A, 190B of cornice member 120.

However, it will be appreciated that alternatively, elongate projections could extend only partly along edges 190A, 190B of cornice member 120, such as towards each end of a length of cornice member 120.

Flanged portions 180A, 180B further comprise floor 129 located intermediate opposed fingers, ribs or ridges 128A, 128B. Floor 129 and opposed fingers, ribs or ridges 128A, 128B define respective keyways

170A, 170B that allow glue or adhesive to readily be applied when mounting cornice member 120 to a wall and/or ceiling.

Referring particularly to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, another embodiment of joining member 111 is described which assists joining of cornice member 120 by releasably engaging opposed fingers, ribs or ridges 128A, 128B. It will be appreciated that mating portions 127A, 127B are capable of receiving mating ends 62 of mounting bracket 60 and mating members 15 of joining member 11 (not shown), as hereinbefore described.

Typically, although not exclusively, the embodiment of joining

member 111 described in FIGS 6 and 7 is used in addition to that described in FIGS 1-4.

Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, joining member 111 comprises angled body 114 having panels 117A, 117B and angled mating members in the form of first groove 115A and second groove 115B.

It is also noted that mounting of joining member 111 to cornice 120 retains keyway 170 for introduction of glue or adhesive.

Typically, the angle formed by angled body 114 and body panels 117A, 117B will be about 90 degrees when used on a "square" corner, but this may be varied to accommodate other angles as previously described.

In order to mount joining member 111 to cornice members 120A, 120B and thereby join cornice members 120A, 120B, opposed ridges 128A, 128B of each cornice member 120 are fitted into complementary grooves 115A, 115B of joining member 111. In this arrangement, joining member 111 is located between cornice member 120, ceiling 132 and wall 131, and is therefore not visible to an observer.

Typically, panels 117A, 117B have a relatively low profile (e.g. less than 1-3 mm thick, although this is variable). This is particularly the case with the body members 117A, 117B shown in FIG. 6 which are adhered or otherwise fitted to ceiling 132, as this at least approximates a "flush" ceiling 132 mount with virtually none, or at least only a portion, of body members 117A, 117B visible to an observer.

It will also be appreciated from FIG. 6B, FIG 7B and FIG 7C, that joining member 111 will vary in terms of the orientation between body members 117A, 117B and grooves 115A, 115B, depending on whether joining member 111 is to be used for joining cornice members 120 "inside" or "outside" a junction between walls 131 , or between walls 131 and ceiling 132.

In light of the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the cornice joining member and cornice joining assembly provide a relatively simple and efficient means for joining, supporting, interconnecting, spacing and/or aligning cornice members. Furthermore, the cornice joining

member and cornice joining assembly can be used to support and/or strengthen a cornice.

The cornice joining member and cornice joining assembly may be installed de novo or may be installed to cover an existing cornice to thereby avoid or minimize damage or removal of the existing cornice and avoid or minimize damage to walls and ceilings.

A preferred advantage of the cornice joining member and cornice joining assembly is that the joining member is located between the cornice member and the ceiling and/or wall (i.e essentially behind the cornice member from the perspective of an observer), and is therefore substantially not visible to the observer. This creates an improved aesthetic appeal to a cornice assembly of the invention when mounted to a ceiling and/or wall.

It will be appreciated by the skilled person that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in detail herein, and that a variety of other embodiments may be contemplated which are nevertheless consistent with the broad spirit and scope of the invention.