Decorative/protective trim cap

Abstract

A trim cap providing aesthetically pleasing protection and reinforcement to structural members such as decking and railing corners of structures such as porches, decks and gazebos is discloses. Deck top corner, deck side corner, rail corner and butt joint caps have aesthetically pleasing non-linear lines and/or embossed graphic or textural designs which set them apart from the purely structural applications of prior art brackets and caps.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A decorative/protective trim cap comprising: 
 a plurality of connected plates, wherein: 
 each of said plurality of plates has a thickness, a length and a width, said length and width forming a shape having at least three sides, and at least one of said sides of said plate is substantially linear, and each remaining side of said plate is one of the group: substantially linear, substantially non-linear, and a combination of linear and non-linear, thereby allowing each of said plates to have an irregular shape;  
 each of said plurality of plates is disposed in a different plane, at least one of said at least one linear side of each of said plates is contiguous with at least one of said at least one of said linear sides of at least one adjacent of said plates;  
   said decorative/protective trim cap being adapted to reinforce a structural element and protect wooden structural members against warping, splintering, and cracking due to exposure to weather, while aesthetically enhancing the appearance of an overall structure.    
     
     
         2 . A decorative/protective trim cap, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of said planes is substantially normal to each adjacent of said planes.  
     
     
         3 . A decorative/protective trim cap, as defined in  claim 2 , wherein an outer surface of at least one of said plurality of plates is embossed with one of the group: a graphic design and a textured design.  
     
     
         4 . A decorative/protective trim cap, as defined in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said plurality of plates comprises three plates; and    said at least one linear side of each of said plates comprises at least two adjacent sides of said plate and each of said at least two of said linear sides is contiguous with and normal to one of said at least two linear sides of an adjacent of said plates.    
     
     
         5 . A decorative/protective trim cap, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said plurality of plates comprises two plates; and    one of said at least one linear side of each of said plates is substantially contiguous with one of said at least one substantially linear side of a second of said plates.    
     
     
         6 . A decorative/protective trim cap, as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said planes of said two plates are one of the group: substantially normal to one another and oblique to one another.  
     
     
         7 . A decorative/protective trim cap, as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said trim cap is formed from one of the group: a metal and a polymeric material.  
     
     
         8 . A decorative/protective trim cap, as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said trim cap is formed by die cutting and brake forming of a roll formed metal.  
     
     
         9 . A decorative/protective trim cap, as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said trim cap is formed by injection molding of a polymeric material.  
     
     
         10 . A decorative/protective trim cap, as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said trim cap is formed by vacuum forming of a polymer.