Decorative column structure

Abstract

A decorative, lightweight column structure suited for interior decorative purposes includes a lightweight, decorative fiber support and thin, flat decorative segments secured to an outer surface of the support. A method of making includes providing a durable fiber support and fastening the decorative elements to the support in a particular decorative pattern array that also increases the strength of the structure.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A decorative column structure comprising: 
 an elongated, fiber, tubular support of a preselected dimension, and    a patterned array of thin decorative facing segments rigidly secured to and covering an exterior surface of said support.    
     
     
         2 . The structure as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said support is made of layers of paper fibers, spirally wound and laminated with an adhesive.  
     
     
         3 . The structure as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said support with facing segments is disposed upright on a flat base and secured to said flat base.  
     
     
         4 . The structure as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said support is a hollow, cylindrical body that circumferentially extends a full 360 degrees.  
     
     
         5 . The structure as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said facing segments are of natural stone.  
     
     
         6 . The structure as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said array includes alternating, end to end long and short segments, said long segments being longitudinally offset from one another the length of each short segment to provide for decoration and increased strength.  
     
     
         7 . The structure as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said facing segments are of natural stone selected from the group of marble, granite, limestone, travertine and slate.  
     
     
         8 . The structure as set forth in  claim 1  including a waterproof coating on the exterior surface of said support.  
     
     
         9 . The structure as set forth in  claim 1  including wire mesh fastened to the exterior of said support.  
     
     
         10 . The structure as set forth in  claim 1  including a cement material in the form of a latex modified cement covering said wire mesh.  
     
     
         11 . The structure as set forth in  claim 10 , said facing segments being placed on said cement material prior to the setting of said cement material to a hard condition.  
     
     
         12 . The structure as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the shape of each long segment is rectangular.  
     
     
         13 . The structure as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the length of each long segment is 12 inches.  
     
     
         14 . The structure as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the width of each long segment is 1.5 to 2 inches.  
     
     
         15 . The structure as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the thickness of each long segment is ⅜ inches.  
     
     
         16 . The structure as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the shape of each short segment is square and the dimensions of each short segment are 1.5 inches by 1.5 inches.  
     
     
         17 . A decorative column structure for interior use comprising: 
 an elongated, hollow cylindrical, lightweight, self-supporting fiber support of a preselected length and diameter, and    a patterned array of thin, narrow, flat natural stone decorative facing segments rigidly affixed to and entirely covering an exterior surface of said support, said array including alternating, end to end long and short segments, said long segments being longitudinally offset from one another the length of each short segment to provide for decoration and increased strength.    
     
     
         18 . A decorative column structure for interior use comprising: 
 an elongated, hollow cylindrical, lightweight, self-supporting fiber support of a preselected length and diameter,    a patterned array of thin, narrow, flat natural stone decorative facing segments rigidly affixed to and entirely covering an exterior surface of said support, said array including alternating, end to end long and short segments, said long segments being longitudinally offset from one another the length of each short segment to provide for decoration and increased strength, and    a flat base of a material matching said facing segments, said support being disposed on said flat base and secured thereto.    
     
     
         19 . A method of making a decorative column structure comprising: 
 providing an elongated, fiber tubular support of a preselected dimension, and    attaching a plurality of thin decorative facing segments to an exterior surface of said support in a patterned array.    
     
     
         20 . A method of making a decorative column structure comprising the steps of: 
 providing a fiber, spiral wound, rigid, hollow cylindrical support of a selected length and thickness,    applying a waterproof liquid on an outer surface of said support,    fastening a wire mesh material at said outer surface of said support,    filling the mesh with a cement material,    attaching a plurality of stone facing segments to the cemented wire mesh to cover said outer surface leaving gaps between said segments, and    grouting said gaps between said facing segments.