Plastic baseboards

Jan. 21, 1969

A. A. HOWARD

PLASTIC BASEBOARDS

3,422,584

Filed Dec. 27, 1966

<img file="US3422584A_D0001.tif" />

3,422,584

Patented Jan. 21, 1969

United States Patent Office

3,422,584

PLASTIC BASEBOARDS

Augustus A. Howard, 5749 Nottingham Drive, El Sobrante, Calif. 94803

Filed Dec. 27,1966, Ser. No. 604,916

U.S. CI. 52—98 1 Claim

Int. Cl. E04f 19/04; E04c 2/20

This invention relates generally to baseboards of a room within a house.

It is generally well known that baseboards as presently made in conventional rooms have certain limitations. When they become excessively soiled, a person must bend down and work along the floor to clean the same. When they become damaged, it requires the service of a competent carpenter to cut the same out and replace. These together with other limitations make a conventional baseboard impractical by modern standards.

Accordingly it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a plastic baseboard having self-contained means for being snapped into place, and which can be readily snapped off for purposes of rugging, re-rugging, painting or the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a plastic baseboard which can be made in various decorator colors from wood stains to decorator hues so to lend a proper decor to any room in which it is used, and which may be replaced with another color baseboard in case the room design is altered.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a plastic baseboard comprised of sections which can be replaced should the same become broken, marred or scarred.

Yet another object is to provide a plastic baseboard which incorporates 90 degree inside and outside corners which are pre-formed and cut for easy installation.

Yet another object is to provide a plastic baseboard which can be made up in do-it-yourself kits for use by the average homeowner and which accordingly is economical in cost and light in weight for easy transportation.

Yet another object is to provide a plastic baseboard having adjustable lugs for selectively determining a uniform height thereof relative to the floor.

Yet another object is to provide a plastic baseboard which can be easily snapped off from a mounting bracket and taken to a tub or other convenient place where it may be properly cleaned with detergents or soap, and which never requires painting.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a plastic baseboard which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of the members comprising the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2—2 and showing the members in assembled position;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of an inside corner section; and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view, shown partly in crosssection, and showing an outside corner section.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral 10 represents a plastic baseboard according to the present invention wherein there is a mounting bracket member 11 and a plastic baseboard member 12.

The mounting bracket 11 is comprised of a generally rectangular member of relatively thin cross-section and having a front side 13 and rear side 14 which are bounded by parallel vertical side edges 15 and by parallel upper and io lower rounded beads 16 and 17 respectively. As shown in FIGURE 1 the beads are rounded in a forwardly direction. A row of equally spaced apart openings or perforations 18 extend across the length of the mounting bracket and provide a means for receiving nails or screws 19 for purpose of securing the mounting bracket to a wall 20. The mounting bracket is provided with a plurality of equally spaced apart elevation lugs 21 extending downwardly below the lower bead 17. The elevation lugs may be made approximately 12 inches apart and each lug is approximately three and one-half inches in width. The lugs are integrally formed with the mounting bracket and are provided with a plurality of horizontal extending grooves or scored lines 22 for purpose of allowing easily a portion of the lug to be broken off, should the mounting bracket be desired to be placed at a relatively lower elevation.

The plastic baseboard 12 is comprised of a plastic member of elongated configuration, having a flat outer side 23 and flat inner side 24 which are bounded by parallel vertical side edges 25 and parallel horizontally extending upper and lower edges 26 and 27 respectively. Adjacent each horizontal edge 26 and 27 there is a horizontally extending groove 28 adapted to receive the beads 16 and 17 of the mounting bracket. It is to be noted that each groove 28 has a hook portion 29 which permits the baseboard to snap over the mounting member. Thus the baseboard will readily hold securely to the mounting bracket. The baseboard 12 may be made in any imitation wood finish or any of various attractive colors so as to harmonize with the decor of a room.

In FIGURE 3 the above described construction is shown adapted to an inside corner section 30 which includes an inside corner mounting bracket 31 and an inside corner plastic baseboard 32. The construction includes the beads 16 and 17 which are receivable within grooves 28 as above described and it also includes the elevation lugs 21 with their break-off grooves 22.

In FIGURE 4 the above described construction is shown adapted to an outside comer section 40 which includes an outside corner mounting bracket 41 and an outside corner plastic baseboard 42. It also includes the beads 16 and 17 receivable within grooves 28 and the elevation lugs 21.

In operative use, the inside and outside corner sections are installed first. This comprises breaking off a portion of the elevation lugs if necessary and nailing the mounting brackets 31 and 41 to the wall 20 by means of nails or screws 19. Then the inside and outside corner baseboards 32 and 42 are snapped over the inside and outside corner mounting brackets. Then the linear distance between the corner sections is filled in with sections of mounting brackets 11, illustrated in FIGURE 1 of the drawing and secured in like manner by screws or nails through openings 18. Then the baseboard 12 is snapped over the mounting bracket and the job is finished. To change color of the baseboard, to repair or replace the same, only the baseboard members need be removed while the mounting brackets remain secured to the wall.

While various changes may be made in the detailed construction, it is understood that such changes will be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as is defined by the appended claim.