Wall coverings

3,609,934

Oct. 5, 1971

Μ. P. O’CARROLL

WALL COVERINGS

Filed April 21, 1969

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3,609,934

Patented Oct. 5, 1971

United States Patent Office

3,609,934 WALL COVERINGS Michael P. O’Carroll, 4312 W. 99th Place, Oaklawn, III. 60453

Filed Apr. 21,1969, Ser. No. 817,972 5

Int. Cl. F04b 1/56

U.S. Cl. 52—511 2 Claims

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE 10

This invention comprises ferrous strips laid in the inner surface of plasterboard erected in buildings, and panels applicable to the plasterboard with magnetic inlays to hold the panels to the plasterboard. The latter has a surface-covering sheet to retain and conceal the ferrous strips; and the panels are mainly slabs of sound-proofing material, and have grooves in the side of application seating the magnetic inlays. Strips of thin plastic netting are secured on the applicable side of the slabs over the grooves to retain the magnetic inlays therein; and the slabs carry wallpaper or other covering material on the exposed side.

My invention relates to coverings for walls, such as wallpaper, fabric and the like, and more particularly the removable type. Thus, a modification has developed in the wall covering art to employ the magnetic principle in order to render the covering removable, and the pres- ₃θ ent invention represents an improvement to simplify and facilitate the procuring of materials and applying the covering, in· order that it may be practiced by homeowners and others who have some mechanical aptitude.

In line with the above development, one object of the ₃₅present invention is to utilize a plasterboard generally employed as a backing for paper and other wall coverings for presenting one component of the magnetic coupling, so that the plasterboard may be procured ready-made with the component. 40

A further object is to provide a plasterboard equipped with ferrous elements which comprise the magnetic component previously referred to, such elements being of a simple nature and so* thin that they do not increase the thickness of the plasterboard or impair the same in any 45 respect.

A further object is to provide a covering which carries the other component of the magnetic coupling in the form of magnetic strips cooperative with the elements in the plasterboard without requiring any particular placement 50 or arrangement for that purpose.

A still further object is to incorporate a sound-insulating medium in the structure of the wall covering, so that such medium is integral with the same for all practical purposes, the sound-proofing medium carrying the mag- 55 netic strips mentioned before.

An additional object is to provide a covering in which the magnetic strips may be inserted with ease and retained by simple and inexpensive means to render the covering immediately available for application to the 60 plasterboard as mentioned.

A final object is to provide a covering which is preferably designed in panel form, with a surface layer which may be ornamental wallpaper or fabric, and suitable for lateral assembly with invisible joints in the manner of 65 wallpaper.

A better understanding of the invention may be gained by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plasterboard section improved according to the invention. 70

FIG. 2 is a similar view of a covering panel suitable for application to the aforesaid plasterboard section.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a top portion of the showing in FIG. 1, revealing the magnetic component carried by the plasterboard.

FIG. 4 is a similar view of a side portion of the panel in FIG. 2, revealing the magnetic component carried by the same.

FIG. 4α is a fragmentary top view of a joint suitable for panels of the type illustrated in FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a panel portion having bi-directional magnetic facilities; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a panel portion receiving a receptacle for magnetic elements.

Referring specifically to the drawing, 10 denotes a section of plasterboard mounted in front of studding 11, as is the common practice in building walls. The plasterboard is usually finished with a backing sheet 12 and surface sheet 13 of fire-resistant material to make the surface of the plasterboard smooth.

For the purpose of the invention, the plasterboard core is recessed in its outer surface with a series of very shallow vertical grooves 10α at points approximately one foot apart. These grooves are fitted with a series of thin ferrous strips 15, before the outer sheet 13 is applied. FIG. 3 reveals a strip 15 set as mentioned; and the outer sheet 13 is closed and sealed over the related surface of the plasterboard to fully retain and conceal the series of ferrous strips, so that the plasterboard may then be secured and otherwise used in the conventional manner.

The panel of FIG. 2 is shown with its inner face designed to close against the front of the plasterboard 10. The outer surface of the panel is a sheet 20 of wall paper noted in FIG. 4, for which a typical design is indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 2; and it is understood that such sheet may be of fabric or any other suitable covering material. The sheet 20 is cemented or pasted to a slab 22 of sound-proofing material, such as foam rubber or other approved substance; and for the purpose of the invention the inner surface of the slab is recessed in vertical sequence with a series of grooves 22α which are rectangular in cross-section, as seen in FIG. 4. These grooves are suitable as receptacles for a series of magnetic strips 24, such strip being readily available on the market. When such a strip has been laid in a groove, it may be retained therein by a cover 25 of thin plastic netting pasted or cemented to the face of the slab 22 to overlap the strip 24 above and below as shown. Or, the slabs may be factory-made with the covers 25 cemented over the grooves, so that the magnetic strips 24 may be inserted from the end.

A panel constituted as just described may be swung from the position of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrow in the top portion thereof for application to the improved plasterboard of FIG. 1, so as to adhere to the same by magnetic attraction. This result is attained by the crossing of the magnetic strips 24 with the ferrous strips 15 at right angles, the large number of such contacts sufficing to hold the panel firmly to the plasterboard. Yet, the contact is sufficiently infrequent to enable a set of panels to be drawn away from a wall without difficulty in case they are to be exchanged for a set of panels bearing a wallpaper or other covering of a different design.

It is also conceivable that the metallic strips of the plasterboard could be directed horizontally instead of vertically as shown. Therefore, in order to suit either direction of the metallic strips, FIG. 5 shows that the soundproofing slab for the panels could be made with grooves extending both vertically and horizontally, the magnetic strips to be inserted optionally.

A modification in magnetic strips places them in a ferrous receptacle for stronger attraction. Thus, FIG. 6 shows such a receptacle in the form of a long, thin channel 30, which may be set in the grooves of the sound3,609,934 proofing slab in the same manner as the strips 24. This addition has the advantage that magnetic strips 24 of full length are not required. The figure shows that short sections of such strips may be slid into the channel 30, enabling remnants to be used up in this manner. As 5 before, the netting covers 25 are mounted in front of the channeled installation to retain the same in place.

When a series of panels is applied in lateral succession to a wall, it is the practice in the paper hanging and covering art to match the surface design of adjoining 10 sheets with invisible joints. FIG. 4α shows covering sheets assembled edge-to-edge; and the slabs are preferably joined on a bias indicated at 35 to fit retentively.

It will now be apparent that the invention facilitates the preparation of materials at the factory—so to speak— 15 or in ready-made form in order to make the paneling of a room a simple and relatively easy task. As mentioned before, the plasterboard is constituted to all intents and purposes identically with the standard variety, so that it does not impose any condition that requires a change in 20 its application or the relation of a covering to the same. The metallic strips being very thin, do not add any thickness to the plasterboard because they become embedded in its yieldable content. Likewise, the slabs of soundproofing are standard and may be cut or pressed with 25 the grooves as prescribed and the covering pasted or otherwise sealed to the same. With the panels constituted as described, it is comparatively easy for a series of panels to be applied to any wall in a dwelling within a short time and with a minimum of effort. Yet, should the 30 covering or wall paper become soiled over a period of use, the removal of the paneling will present no difficulty, as it will only need withdrawal from the plasterboard from place to place. Likewise, this can be done if the paneling is to be applied to another room or in another 35 dwelling. Finally, it is apparent that the materials entering into the invention are commonly available and not expensive.