Form-fitting Corner Protector Member or Profile for Facing and Finishing Inside Corners and Edges

Abstract

A corner protector member for establishing and finishing a transition between a first surface, a second surface and a third surface, the first, second and third surfaces forming an inside corner. One corner protector embodiment includes a read face portion oriented inwardly in relation to the inside corner, which is securable to the inside corner, and from which integrally extends an external frontal or basal face portion, the lateral edges of which are securable alone or with the addition of an integral pin or barb to the inside corner, positively locking and engaging with the interior corner surfaces so as to firmly anchor therein and thereto.

Claims

1. An interior corner protector member for hygienically and in a visually pleasing manner finishing and protecting corners created by the converging planes of walls, comprised of three angularly related surfaces and formed as a single, unitary body which is characterized by an outwardly-facing surface with respect to said interior corners space from which depends a posteriorly-oriented portion relative to the outwardly-facing surface which positively locks and engages with said interior corners.

2. A corner protector member according to claim 1 in which said corner protector member is capable of positively engaging with the converging planes of an interior corner.

3. A corner protector member according to claim 1, wherein said corner protector member is constructed as a truncated cone or tetrahedral frusta, of which the basal face of which forms said visible face of the corner protector member which is oriented outwardly from the interior corner into which the corner protector member is fitted and from which the adjacent frusta surfaces flow and engage and integrate with the wall and ceiling surfaces of an interior space.

4. A corner protector member according to claim 1, wherein the visible surface has a diameter of approximately 16.25 millimeters to 24.25 millimeters.

5. A corner protector member according to claim 1, wherein said corner protector member is constructed so as to fit and positively lock and engage with a sealing joint and said visible face mates seamlessly and positively locks with and to the surfaces of said sealing joint.

6. A corner protector member according to claim 1, wherein said posteriorly-oriented portion is formed so as to have a flush or flat, convex, lenticular, fillister head, or rounded surface.

7. A corner protector member according to claim 1, wherein said corner protector member is or can be directly driven or otherwise affixed into an interior corner of a room at a point where perpendicular planes meet.

8. A corner protector member according to claim 1, wherein the interiorly-facing surface features a central bore.

9. A corner protector member according to claim 1, wherein the interiorly-facing surface of the corner protector member features said central bore of claim 8 in which a barb, bolt, or pin is fixably inserted, of which the distal end of said barb, bolt, or pin anchored to the interior corner.

10. A corner protector member according to claim 1, wherein the corner protector member features a border comprised of bevels, ripples, or offsets.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The following drawings are attached in explanation of the invention, the features of which are referenced within the detailed description of the invention. Note that, although the example sectional shape of the corner protective member for inside corner protector is tetragonal or tetrahedral as illustrated throughout the majority of the following drawings, the shape may be of any practicable multi-sided geometry. In order to better understand the drawings, the following legend is provided: [0032] 1 Corner protector member [0033] 2 Wall [0034] 3 Floor [0035] 4 Vertical maintable interstice or joint [0036] 5 Horizontal maintable interstice or joint [0037] 6 Horizontal maintable interstice or joint [0038] 7 Inside corner of room or other space [0039] 8 Transition zone [0040] 9 Face, basal or visible surface portion [0041] 10 Lateral or side face [0042] 11 Connecting or mating face [0043] 12 Tetrahedron/tetragonal or triangular pyramidal body [0044] 13 Center bore [0045] 14 Face, basal or visible surface portion [0046] 15 Barb or pin [0047] 16 Groove or rill [0048] 17 Rounded edge [0049] 18 Sharp corner [0050] 19 Lateral edge [0051] 20 Lateral edge [0052] 21 Corner protector member [0053] 22 Ball head shape [0054] 23 Corner or edge indent [0055] 24 Beveled corner [0056] 31 Corner protector member

[0057] FIG. 1: This figure presents a top, cross-sectional view of the corner protector member showing its particular features as installed relative to common wall and floor angles in a typical installation in a first embodiment.

[0058] FIG. 2: This figure presents a view of the corner protector member as emplaced in an interior or inside corner with the view oriented towards the convergence of two vertical wall surfaces and an adjoining horizontal surface and for reference further depicts horizontal and vertical joints relative to the corner protector member.

[0059] FIG. 3: This figure presents a rear view of the corner protector member showing the central bore and side surfaces.

[0060] FIG. 4: This figure presents a frontal view of the corner protector member.

[0061] FIG. 5: This figure presents a side view of the corner protector member in accordance with FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0062] FIG. 6: This figure presents a further side view of the corner protector member in accordance with FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.

[0063] FIG. 7: This figure presents a further side view of the corner protector member according to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6.

[0064] FIG. 8: This figure presents a plan view of the visible face of the corner protector member in a modified embodiment with pointed corners.

[0065] FIG. 9: This figure represents a plan view of the visible face of the corner protector element with rounded corners.

[0066] FIG. 10: This figure presents a plan view of the visible face of the corner protector member configured as a scalene triangle.

[0067] FIG. 11: This figure presents a perspective view of modified corner protective member configured in a hemispherical or lenticular form or shape.

[0068] FIG. 12: This figure presents another perspective view of another embodiment of a corner protector member in a spherical shape configuration.

[0069] FIG. 13: This figure presents a modification of a tetrahedral-shaped corner protector member according to FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 with recessed corners.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0070] FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a first embodiment of the inventive corner protector member, which is depicted as completing and finishing an inside corner 7 of a room. As depicted, a vertical wall surface 2 meets a horizontal floor surface 3 at an angle of approximately ninety degrees, thus establishing the corner of a room as depicted in FIG. 2.

[0071] Depicted for purposes of illustration is the wall of a sanitary architectural installation, for example a bathroom, which features a vertical interstice, seam or joint 4 and two horizontal, angularly intersecting vertical walls, each of which feature a similar interstice, seam or joint 5, 6 and all of which converge at an inside corner 7, where the inventive corner protective member device is mounted or otherwise affixed to the interstices, seams or joints 4-6, and where the inventive corner protective member has been fitted by the application of pressure into as-yet uncured adhesive, caulk or sealant emplaced in or filling interstices, seams or joints 4-6, such that fully seamless, flush, and integral transition regions or transition zones 8 result between the visible face of the corner protector member 1 and the adjacent or adjoining surfaces of the interstices, seams or joints 4-6.

[0072] The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-referenced method of anchoring the corner protector member. For example, rather than a permanently elastic interstice, seam or joint which is maintainable and of which the sealing or caulking material may be readily replaced, other types of interstices, seams or joints may be employed, such as flexible or expansion joint-type interstices, seams or joints, which interrupt otherwise seamless or otherwise uniform surface finishes or assemblies such as tiled surfaces so as to prevent stress fractures from forming. All such interstices, seams or joints are suited to receive the corner protector member to result in a finished inside corner.

[0073] It is important to note that the transition regions or transition zones 8 as depicted in FIG. 2 should ideally be achieved by careful placement of the corner protector member in relation to all interstices, seams or joints 4-6 in order to result in a smooth, impervious, and seamless confluence, with due attention given to the proper alignment of all sides of the corner protector member 1 with the interstices, seams or joints 4-6 converging at inside corner 7. It should be noted that in an alternative embodiment, as previously set forth, it is not necessary to anchor the corner protector member in the interstices, seams or joints 4-6.

[0074] In view of the above, it follows from FIGS. 1 and 2 that the interstices, seams or joints 4-6 may be dispensed with such that the corner protector member 1 may be driven into or otherwise forcibly inserted into an inside corner resulting from the convergence of walls 2, and floor 3 thus leading to the creation of a seamless, integrated finishing fixture or component.

[0075] It is to be appreciated that as an alternative to the use of physical force to install or fit the corner protector element to an inside corner 7, an adhesive may also be used to achieve the same results. In such applications, it is desirable to manufacture the corner protector member, which is this embodiment has faces 12 generally tetrahedral 12 in terms of shape, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, with a central bore 13, which can be filled with a curable adhesive, a putty, or a caulk or sealant for purposes of anchoring and affixing the corner protector element to an inside corner 7 which features no interstices, seams or joints.

[0076] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is possible that the central bore 13, optimally manufactured as a threaded recess, depicted in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6 and located on the rear of or, as oriented towards the interior of a room, inside corner facing surface of the corner protector member, may receive a suitably threaded barb or pin which is in turn oriented towards the inside corner. Given that the tip of this barb is oriented towards the inside corner 7, the corner protector member may accordingly be pressed, hammered, or otherwise inserted into the inside corner and firmly anchored.

[0077] FIGS. 3 through 7 present additional detail regarding the first mentioned embodiment of a corner protector member 1. As can be determined from the referenced drawings, the first embodiment referenced possesses a generally tetragonal shape 12 with a flat visible face 9 which is the base or basal face of a generally truncated cone, where

the visible face 9 features adjoining equilateral or symmetrical side surfaces 10 which are beveled or slanted towards the center of the corner protector member and which in turn feature diminishing edges or vanishing edges which via mating faces or connecting faces 11 are effectively bridged.

[0078] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the generally tetragonal and symmetrical body 12 may in terms of design and intended purpose as a corner protector element 1 also be manufactured with asymmetrical or unlike surfaces 10. This would result in an asymmetrical tetragonal body, among the other shapes, designs and forms contemplated by the present invention.

[0079] It is important to note that the rear-facing apex of the corner protector member, were it to be represented as a full tetragonal structure complete with fully terminal angles or corners or apexes, is essentially lacking, and that where essentially a frustum would result, the aforementioned central bore 13 is found, with the central bore, which may be unthreaded, descending to a suitable given depth in the core of the body of the corner protector member. The central bore in this case may be viewed as a production aid in that a material blank used in the course of the production of the corner protector member may be simply affixed to a jig, receiving clamp or the like or pin received by the bore, and the workpiece blank thereby safely and easily machined or otherwise processed and formed to achieve the desired shape and configuration.

[0080] A second advantage of the central bore is that when the central bore 13 is provided with a thread by, for example, manually or otherwise tapping the central bore, it becomes possible to insert a threaded bolt, the thread of which may be made to project from the main body or from the apex. This makes it possible to fit a corner protector member so equipped with a threadably inserted or adhesively-secured tip into an otherwise empty inside corner 7 and anchor it firmly.

[0081] FIGS. 11 and 12 depict further embodiments in the form of an axially symmetrical corner protector member 21, 31 that in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 11 possesses a hemispherical, lenticular or ball-like face, basal or visible surface portion 14 to which is attached a barb-like element 15, the exterior periphery of which bears rills 16, grooves or which may be threaded. As can be seen in the figures, it is thus entirely possible that a largely lenticular or hemispherical corner protector element 21 may be formed and may be desirable and useful.

[0082] The above also applies in the case of a spherically-shaped or spheroidal member according to FIG. 12, which depicts a spheroid head 22 from which in integral barb 15 formed from the workpiece blank as one piece or body leads, with the barb featuring the aforementioned rills 16 or grooves or threads. In the case of this embodiment of the invention, it is also entirely possible to install and anchor such a corner protector member 31 either in curable interstices or joints or the like. Alternatively, it is possible to drive the barb 15 into bare or otherwise unfitted, in terms of interstices or joints, into the transitional zones between a wall 3 and floor 3 and in such a way anchor—in the absence of interstices or joints—the corner protector member in the inside corner 7.

[0083] FIGS. 9 through 13 depict various modifications of the tetrahedral or tetragonal form according to FIGS. 3 through 7.

[0084] Initially it should be obvious from the figures thus presented that the corners or edges of the tetrahedron or tetragonal form are flattened to form beveled corners 24 to result in and achieve a more positive and more flowing and seamless integration with the adjoining surfaces of the interstices of joints 4-6 or the wall or other room surfaces 2, 3.

[0085] In a modification of this form, FIG. 8 depicts that possibility of employing not the level or smooth face, basal or visible surface portion 14 but also sharp edges 18, thus leading to the omission of the flat or vanishing edges 24.

[0086] As can be seen in FIG. 9, the beveled edges 24 may also be formed as a radius or with a radius to create rounded edges 17.

[0087] FIG. 10 depicts that instead of a tetragonal shape 12 with uniform sides or surfaces. It is also entirely possible to employ unequal surfaces or sides where for example the lateral edge 19 may be longer than the angularly convergent lateral edges 20. It is to be understood that in the case of such an irregular tetragonal form, all of the previously described edges or forms may also be made part of the design of the corner protector member.

[0088] A further embodiment is depicted in FIG. 13, which shows that the edges may also be punched or similarly formed and shaped to create so-called edge depressions 23 which in turn form sharply angled anchorage points, which adhere very well into elastic, as-yet uncured caulks or sealants filled into interstices or joints 4-6 of various surface treatments and finishes such as ceramic tile.

[0089] It is obvious and will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the various designs depicted do not necessarily show that the visible face 9 of the tetragonal body 12 may also be hemispherical, ball-like, cambered or curved, or formed in any number of other configurations or forms. The present invention is also not intended to be limited to the various designs or forms presented and disclosed herein.

[0090] While specific embodiments have been set forth and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various adaptations are possible, and that this disclosure is intended to cover adaptations or variations of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The aforementioned embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Combination of the above elements, and other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those skilled the art upon a review of foregoing description. The scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure includes other applications in which the above structures and methods are used. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims and the full range of their legal equivalents.

[0091] In the foregoing detailed description, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for purposes of presenting the disclosure in a compact manner. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure must necessarily employ more features than expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.