Structures for edge treatment and for decoration of counters and panels, and for the assembly thereof

Abstract

There is disclosed a family of structurally related extrusions which find broad utility as edge and comer trim and connectors for counter tops, cabinet faces and other sheet-like panels. The extrusions serve as joinders or couplers to cover and to protect exposed edges of the panels, to increase the load capacity of the panels, and to enhance the visual appearance thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the extrusion defines spaced parallel arms forming a U-shaped channel into which an elongate edge of the panel is slidably received. Integrally-formed extensions of the arms define flanges forming coextensive opposed upper and lower slots for securing a decorative plate-like band to seat therewithin along a lineal expanse of the elongate extrusion. A wall bridging between upper and lower arms of the extrusion is formed with post means for insertion of a screw-like fastener therethrough for securing the extrusion in place against the presented end face of the sandwiched panel. In another embodiment of the invention the extrusion constitutes an integrally formed structural combination of two pairs of the basic components of the invention to define a unitary assembly for capping and securing a corner-defining juncture of a pair of structural panels. The provision of shims, readily insertable into the panel-receiving channel of the extrusion, imparts important versatility to the extrusion, facilitating accommodation of countertops, sheets or panels of various thickness dimensions.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An elongate extrusion assembly adapted for mounting on an exposed longitudinally-extending end edge portion of a sheet-like panel to cover and to protect an exposed edge of said panel, to increase the strength and load capacity of the panel, and to enhance the visual appearance thereof, 
 said assembly comprising plate-like wall means for abutment against an outwardly presented edge face of a panel onto which the extrusion assembly is to be mounted,    said assembly including a principal pair of spaced, essentially parallel, upper and lower rearwardly-directed arms for bridgedly embracing therebetween a top and a bottom surface of said panel adjacent an outwardly-presented edge thereof,    said arm means being integrally formed with, and projecting normally of said wall means at upper and lower limits thereof for defining therewith a rearwardly opening U-shaped channel for nestingly receiving therewithin a projecting forward edge section of a panel on which the extrusion assembly is supportedly mounted,    web means integrally formed with said arm means for constituting forwardly-directed extensions of said arm means,    upper and lower skirt-like flange means integrally formed with and coextensive with and normal to said web means for defining therewith and with said wall means a pair of upper and lower slot means presented to and opening toward one another for securing within said extrusion assembly a decorative, plate-like band coextensively with and along a lineal expanse of said extrusion assembly.    
     
     
         2 . An extrusion assembly as set forth in  claim 1  and further comprising shim means for insertion into said U-shaped channel to abut said lower arm means for reducing an effective interior height expanse between said upper and lower arms of said extrusion assembly for accommodating and for effecting between said arms a gripping engagement of a panel having a thickness less than an interior height dimension of said U-shaped, panel-receiving channel.  
     
     
         3 . An extrusion assembly as set forth in  claim 1  and further comprising auxilliary clip-on band means for overlying and for decoratively accenting an exposed, outwardly-presented face of said extrusion assembly, 
 said band means including a front strip integrally formed with a pair of vertically-spaced, L-shaped legs terminating in a pair of oppositely-projecting, upwardly and downwardly directed, vertically-spaced, interlocking tab means for seatingly invading said slot means for securing said band means to said extrusion assembly.  
 
     
     
         4 . An extrusion assembly for abuttingly engaging and mounting on respective end portions of each of a pair of first and second panels disposed at 90 degrees to one another to define a corner at a juncture of said panels, 
 said extrusion assembly comprising first wall means for abutment against an outwardly presented edge face of a first panel of said pair of panels onto which said extrusion is to be secured,    a first pair of outer and inner arm means integrally formed with said first wall means for overlying and for slidably embracing therebetween a first panel of said pair of panels at an elongate end sector thereof,    second wall means integrally formed with said first wall means and disposed at 90 degrees to said first wall means for abutment against an outwardly presented edge face of the second of said panels onto which said extrusion is to be secured, and    a second pair of spaced outer and inner wall means integrally formed with said second wall means for overlying and for slidably receiving therewithin a second of the corner-forming panels of said pair of said first and said second panels.    
     
     
         5 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 4 , and further comprising first and second flange means integrally formed with respective said outer arm means and angled inwardly toward one another for supporting a plate-like band for extending coextensively with and along a lineal expanse of said extrusion assembly.  
     
     
         6 . An elongate extrusion assembly adapted for mounting at an exposed longitudinally-extending end edge portion of a sheet-like panel to cover and to protect an exposed edge of said panel, to increase the strength and load capacity of said panel, and to enhance the visual appearance thereof, 
 said assembly comprising plate-like wall means for abutment against an outwardly presented edge face of a panel onto which said extrusion assembly is to be mounted,    said assembly including rearwardly-directed arm means for covering a surface of said panel adjacent an outwardly-presented edge thereof,    said arm means being integrally formed with and projecting normally of said wall means at a limit thereof for defining therebelow a rearwardly opening L-shaped channel for nestingly receiving therewithin a projecting forward edge section of a panel to which the extrusion assembly is to be secured..    
     
     
         7 . An extrusion assembly as set forth in  claim 6  and further comprising an elongate strip integrally formed and coextensive with said extrusion assembly and comprising a pair of vertically-spaced, generally L-shaped legs defining a pair of opposed, oppositely-directed slot means for receiving an elongate band to be carried by said extrusion assembly along a lineal length thereof.  
     
     
         8 . An extrusion assembly as set forth in  claim 7  and further comprising band means supported in said slot means for decorating said extrusion assembly. 
 said band means including a front strip integrally formed with a pair of vertically-spaced. L-shaped legs terminating in a pair of vertically-spaced, L-shaped legs terminating in a pair of oppositely-projecting, upwardly and downwardly directed, vertically-spaced, interlocking tab means for seatingly invading said slot means and for securing said band means to said extrusion assembly.  
 
     
     
         9 . The extrusion assembly as set forth in  claim 1  and further comprising trim means carried by said assembly for defining strip means coextensive with said extrusion assembly for decorating said extrusion assembly.  
     
     
         10 . The extrusion as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said trim means comprises an L-shaped wall extending downwardly and inwardly of said lower arm means for terminating in an upwardly-directed retainer rib coextensive with said extrusion assembly. 
 said trim means comprising an L-shaped wall extending downwardly and inwardly of said lower arm means and terminating in an upwardly-directed retainer rib coextensive with said extrusion assembly.  
 
     
     
         11 . The extrusion as set forth in  claim 6  and further comprising trim means carried by said assembly for defining strip means coextensive with said extrusion assembly for decorating said assembly, said trim means comprising an L-shaped wall extending downwardly and inwardly of said lower arm means and terminating in an upwardly-directed retainer rib coextensive with said extrusion assembly.  
     
     
         12 . An extrusion assembly as set forth in  claim 4 , and further comprising shim means for insertion into said U-shaped channel to abut said lower arm means for reducing an effective interior height expanse between said upper and said lower arms of said extrusion assembly for accommodating and for effecting between said arms a gripping engagement of a panel having a thickness less than an interior height dimension of said U-shaped, panel-receiving channel.  
     
     
         13 . An extrusion assembly as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said corner is an outside corner.  
     
     
         14 . An extrusion assembly as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said corner is an inside corner.  
     
     
         15 . An integrally-formed extrusion comprising a vertically-disposed principal wall extending the length of said extrusion, 
 a first pair of vertically-spaced, parallel and generally horizontal plate-like arm means integrally formed with and projecting rearwardly of said principal wall for defining a channel for receiving a structural sheet therebetween, and    a second pair of arm means integrally formed with said principal wall at upper and lower extremities thereof and extending oppositely from said first pair of said arm means for supporting a longitudinally extending band therebetween.