초록 ▼

An apparatus and method for installation of molding is disclosed. With the apparatus and method, corner pieces are held in alignment during installation. This allows a person to hold both corner pieces in place with one hand while using the other hand to secure the molding to the wall or ceiling, th

An apparatus and method for installation of molding is disclosed. With the apparatus and method, corner pieces are held in alignment during installation. This allows a person to hold both corner pieces in place with one hand while using the other hand to secure the molding to the wall or ceiling, thereby facilitating an accurate alignment. Moreover, use of an aligning member allows the installer to "fine-tune" the alignment of the corner pieces to fit unique contours of a desired wall corner. Before securing the molding to the wall, the corner pieces may be moved laterally or vertically along the aligning member to help find a perfect alignment. Several embodiments of the aligning member are disclosed, including members with varying angles for different corner segments, flexible members, and members with varying cross-sections.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A fastener in combination with two or more pieces of molding installed at an intersection of two walls, wherein the fastener comprises an inside segment and two substantially straight segments extending at an angle from the inside segment, wherein at least a portion of said i

What is claimed is: 1. A fastener in combination with two or more pieces of molding installed at an intersection of two walls, wherein the fastener comprises an inside segment and two substantially straight segments extending at an angle from the inside segment, wherein at least a portion of said inside segment of the fastener is an adjustable portion configured to allow adjustment of said angle during installation of said molding to said intersection of two walls, wherein the adjusted angle is retained by the fastener after the adjustment, wherein at least one receiving hole is cut into each piece of molding and a straight segment of the fastener is inserted into a receiving hole of each piece of molding, wherein the angle of the fastener and molding pieces combination is adjustable to fit an angle at said intersection of two walls by bending the adjustable portion of the fastener, wherein the adjusted angle is retained by the fastener and wherein said molding and fastener combination are installed to said intersection of two walls wherein each straight segment of the fastener has a rectangular cross-section. 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein each receiving hole is cut parallel to a length of the molding. 3. The combination of claim 1, wherein each receiving hole has a vertical dimension larger that a cross-sectional dimension of the straight segments of the fastener. 4. The combination of claim 1, wherein the inside segment has a rounded surface. 5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said at least a portion of said inside segment of the fastener comprises a flexible material. 6. The combination of claim 1, wherein said intersection of two walls comprises a corner surface. 7. The combination of claim 1, further comprising at least one more adjustable fastener in combination with said two or more pieces of molding for installation at said intersection of two walls. 8. A method of installing molding, the method comprising: cutting a receiving opening into an end segment of at least two pieces of molding; inserting a portion of a clip into each receiving opening so that the molding pieces are held together by the clip, wherein the clip comprises an inside segment and two substantially straight segments extending at an angle from the inside segment, wherein at least a portion of said inside segment of the clip is made of a flexible material wherein said angle may be adjusted, wherein the adjusted angle is retained by the flexible material after the adjustment; holding the molding to a desired wall corner segment comprising an angle; adjusting the flexible portion of the clip until the molding and clip combination is aligned with the angle of the wall corner segment, wherein the flexible portion of the clip is configured to retain the adjustment without being held in place; and securing both pieces of molding to the wall segment. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of miter-cutting an end of each molding piece wherein the receiving opening is cut. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the receiving openings are cut at an angle to a plane perpendicular to the miter-cut end. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the receiving openings are cut parallel to a length of the molding. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the receiving openings have a vertical dimension larger than a cross-sectional dimension of the portion of the clip inserted into the receiving openings, thereby allowing adjustment in the vertical dimension. 13. The method of claim 8, wherein each portion of the clip inserted into the receiving openings has a circular cross-section. 14. The method of claim 8, wherein each portion of the clip inserted into the receiving openings has a rectangular cross-section. 15. The method of claim 8, wherein said securing both pieces of molding to the wall segment comprises inserting a fastener through the molding into the wall. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said fastener comprises at least one of the following: a nail or a screw.