COLUMN COVER REVEAL

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.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures can be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.

[0017] FIG. 1 is an exploded assembly view of a column cover assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a column joint of the column cover assembly of FIG. 1 according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the column joint of FIG. 2.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the column joint of FIG. 2 with two column skins of the column cover assembly of FIG. 1 according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another column joint of the column cover assembly of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the column joint of FIG. 5.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the column joint of FIG. 5 with two column skins of the column cover assembly of FIG. 1 according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the column joint and column skins of FIG. 7.

[0025] FIG. 9 is another perspective view of a portion of the column joint and column skins of FIG. 7.

[0026] FIG. 10 is a side view of a portion of the column joint and column skins of FIG. 7.

[0027] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of another column joint that may be used with the column cover assembly of FIG. 1 according to aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. Directional references such as up, down, top, left, right, front, and back, among others are intended to refer to the orientation as illustrated and described in the figure (or figures) to which the components and directions are referencing.

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a column cover assembly 10. The column cover assembly 10 generally includes one or more column skins 12 that extend around a column when assembled. The number of column skins 12 necessary to cover a column will depend on the particular geometries of the column and the column skins and should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure. Each column skin 12 may be constructed from various materials and may be adapted to work in particular environments. As some non-limiting examples, the column skins 12 may have metal finishes (e.g. aluminum, stainless steel, galvanized steel, etc.), custom finishes and/or custom colors. The column skins 12 may also be adaptable for power, data, lighting, signage and specialty technology, among others. The column skins 12 may have any suitable shape and may be customized depending on particular application.

[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 1, in some cases, each column skin 12 includes multiple skin portions (e.g., skin portions 14A and 14B), that collectively wrap around a column so as to cover the column. The number of skin portions 14 forming one column skin 12 should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure. For example, the column skin 12 may be formed as a unitary component or formed from a plurality of skin portions 14.

[0031] Due to the size of the column or structure to be covered by the column cover assembly 10, a number of column skins 12 are vertically connected through column joints. A column joint is traditionally constructed from multiple pieces of material that are formed so as to fit together to form the joint. The process of forming the different joint pieces and fitting the joint pieces together is slow, expensive, and can cause problems with alignment of the column skins 12 during installation.

[0032] In view of the problems with traditional column joints, the column cover assembly 10 includes column joints 16. The column joints 16 may be customized and specific to a column, although they need not be. The column joints 16 may vary in width opening, material type, and finish, as described below. Each column joint 16 includes column joint portions 18A-B. In other examples, the column joint includes column joint portions 518A-B (or column joint portions 1118A). The number of column joint portions 18 forming the column joint 16 should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure. Each column joint portion 18, 518 is formed as a unitary or monolithic component, such as through extrusion of aluminum, although various other materials and various other forming processes for making the unitary column joint portion 18, 518 may be used. The column joint 16 may be customized to have various finishes, including, but not limited to, clear anodized, black anodized, powder coated, kynar coated, chemical film, and various other finishes depending on application.

[0033] FIGS. 2-4 illustrate a first embodiment of a column joint portion 18A of the column joint 16. Reference is made to the column joint portion 18A, although it will be appreciated that the description is equally applicable to the column joint portion 18B. The column joint portion 18A includes a body 20 having a front surface 26, a back surface 28, and a retaining ledge 30 that extends from the front surface 26 of the body 20. The retaining ledge 30 includes retaining ledge surfaces 32A-B. The front surface 26 and retaining ledge surfaces 32A-B define upper and lower retaining rings 36A-B, respectively. In some examples, the retaining ledge 30 optionally includes at least one retaining projection 34A and/or 34B that is spaced apart from the front surface 26 of the body 20. In will be appreciated that in various examples, any number of retaining projections may be provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the projections 34A-B extends along the distal edge of the retaining ledge 30, but it could be provided at any location along the length of the ledge 30. In the present example, the upper projection 34A extends upwardly from retaining ledge 30, and the lower projection 34B extends downwardly from retaining ledge 30. In these examples, the upper and lower projections 34A-B may aid in forming the retaining rings 36A-B. In other examples, the retaining ledge projections 34A-B may be omitted.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 4, to assemble and install the column skins 12 with the column joint portion 18A, column skins 12 are seated within retaining rings 36A-B, respectively. Resting the column skins 12 within the retaining rings 36A-B may ensure proper alignment of the column skins 12 (see, e.g., FIG. 4). As illustrated in FIG. 4, the retaining ledge projections 34A-B may ease installation of the column skins 12 within the retaining rings 36A-B, respectively, and help ensure a tight fit between the column skins 12 and the column joint portion 18A.

[0035] In various examples, the column skins 12 may optionally be secured to the column joint portion 18A through various suitable mechanisms including, but not limited to screws, nuts and bolts, pins, other mechanical fasteners, various adhesives or glues such as epoxy, various tapes such as VHB tape, various bonding agents, or various other mechanisms. The fasteners may further be provided to help retain the shape of the column cover assembly 10 and to increase structural integrity of the column cover assembly 10. In the present example, VHB tape 40 is provided between an inner surface of the column skins 12 and the front surface 26 of the column joint portion 18A to secure the column skins 12 to the column joint portion 18A.

[0036] FIGS. 5-10 illustrate an example of a column joint portion 518A of a column joint 16 to be interposed between two adjacent column skins 12. Reference is made to the column joint portion 518A, although it will be appreciated that the description is equally applicable to the column joint portion 518B. Column joint portion 518A in FIGS. 5-10 is structurally similar to the column joint portion 18A in FIGS. 2-4 and thus the same reference numbers are used to refer to the same structure. Unlike the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4, however, column joint portion 518A of FIGS. 5-10 defines a reveal 538 between an upper retaining ledge 530A and a lower retaining ledge 530B.

[0037] Traditional joints having reveals are fabricated from several pieces that create the reveala curved vertical section that is welded, glued, or taped to separate curved top and bottom horizontal sections to create the reveal assembly. In the present embodiment, the column joint portion 518A is a unitarily (monolithically) formed or continuously formed component defining the reveal 538. For example, in some embodiments, the column joint portion 518A may be an extruded section of aluminum that creates the reveal 538.

[0038] The reveal 538 includes a reveal surface 548 that is recessed relative to the front surface 26. In various applications, the reveal 538 may be provided to accept and retain various material inserts on the column joint portion 518A. The material inserts may be constructed from the same material used to construct the column joint portion 18A or from a different material. As a non-limiting example, a material insert formed from brass (and having any desired shape) may be formed that would be inserted into the reveal 538. Various other materials may be used for the material insert. In these examples with the reveal 538, the column joint portion 518A includes the upper retaining ledge 530A and the lower retaining ledge 530B. The upper retaining ledge 530A defines the retaining ring 36A and the lower retaining ledge 530B defines the retaining ring 36B. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the column skins 12 are mounted on the column joint portions 518A-B so as to seat on the upper and lower retaining ledges 530A-B.

[0039] In some embodiments, the column joint portions 518A-B (and/or column joint portions 18A-B) may be configured such that, when they are coupled around a column, gaps 542 are created between the ends of the column joint portions 518A-B above and below retaining ledge 30 (in the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4) and upper and lower retaining ledges 530A-B (in the embodiment of FIGS. 5-11). The gaps 542 may be provided to accommodate side flanges 44 of the column skins 12 that extend toward the column when installed (best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9). In other embodiments, the gaps 542 may be omitted.

[0040] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 10, a tensioning bracket 1046 may be provided to apply pressure against the column joint 16 (in the illustrated embodiment, more specifically against column joint portions 518A-B) to assist with installation of the column cover assembly 10 and to impart structural integrity to the construct. In certain examples, adjusting the tensioning bracket 1046 may adjust a shape of one or more of the column joint portions 518A-B. In various examples, applying pressure to one or more column joint portions 518A-B may bias at least a portion of the joint portion 518A-B outwards or inwards relative. For example, in FIG. 10, the tensioning bracket 1046 may generally move in the direction indicated by arrow 13. Optionally, the tensioning bracket 1046 is movable between an innermost position (where the pressure applied against the column joint portions 518A-B is minimized or reduced and/or the shape and/or position of the joint portions 518A-B is minimally changed (if at all)) and an outermost position (where the pressure applied is maximized and/or the shape and/or position of the joint portions 518A-B is changed the most). FIG. 10 illustrates the tensioning bracket 1046 in the innermost position. The tensioning bracket 1046 may be provided on a post 1050 or other component of the column cover assembly 10. Because formed metal typically has a memory to it, the column skins 12 may have a tendency to expand into an oval shape rather than a round shape. The tensioning bracket 1046 may therefore be utilized to maintain the desired shape of the column skins 12 (e.g. in a round shape or other shape), secure the column skins 12 in place, and align abutting sections of the column skins 12 together.

[0041] FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of a column joint portion 1118A of a column joint 16 that includes a reveal 538 and is structurally similar to the column joint portion 518A of FIGS. 5-10. However, unlike the column joint portion 518A of FIGS. 5-10 whereby upper and lower projection portions 34A-B extend away from the reveal 538, in the embodiment of the column joint portion 1118A of FIG. 11, upper and lower projection portions 34A-B extend toward the reveal 538 and can aid in positioning and retaining the various inserts at least partially within the reveal 538.

[0042] The column joint portions 18A, 518A, and 1118A are shown as being semi-circular so as to each extend around half of the diameter of a column. However, more than two column joint portions may be provided. Moreover, the column joint portions 18A, 518A, and 1118A may be formed so as to assume cross-sectional shapes other than a circle when coupled, including but not limited to square, triangular, oval, etc.

[0043] A method of forming the column joint 16 includes providing a blank of material and extruding the blank to have a column joint 16 profile such as that of the column joint portion 18A (shown in FIG. 2), the column joint portion 518A (shown in FIG. 5), and/or the column joint portion 1118A (shown in FIG. 11). The method further includes cutting the blank into segments of the desired length and shaping the segments to form unitary column joint portions of the desired shape. In some examples, the blank of material comprises aluminum, although in other examples, the blank of materials may comprise other materials suitable for the column joint portions.

[0044] A method of installing the column cover assembly 10 is also provided. In various examples, installing the column cover assembly 10 includes positioning a lower column skin 12 relative to the column joint 16 by positioning at least a portion of the lower column skin 12 within the retaining rings 36B defined by the column joint portions 18A-B. An upper column skin 12 is positioned relative to the column joint 16 by positioning at least a portion of the upper column skin 12 within the retaining rings 36A defined by the column joint portions 18A-B.

[0045] The method may also include securing the upper and lower column skins 12 to the column joint 16 through a securing mechanism. In some examples, the securing mechanism includes an epoxy or VHB tape 40 positioned between the upper and lower column skins 12 and the front surface 26 of the column joint portions 18A-B. In some examples, the method may further include applying pressure to the column joint 16 with the tensioning bracket 46 to assist with installation and to provide structural integrity.

[0046] The above-described aspects are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described invention, nor the claims which follow.