Hide-a-nail

Abstract

A hide-a-nail sliding strip is described comprising a combination washer and spacer device and a sliding L-connector. The washer/spacer is embedded in an elongated slot on the face of the L-connector, allowing the connector to freely move. Double-sided tape and a tack are also provided on the L-connector. When applying vinyl trim, a nail is first inserted through the washer and the hide-a-nail strip is secured. A strip of vinyl trim is then pressed against the tape and tack. The sliding strip decreases pinching the trim and allows for expansion and contraction due to temperature changes, thus decreasing rippling or buckling.

1 . A strip for accommodating movement of trim molding relative to a support, the strip comprising: 
 a connector having an elongated slot;    a combination washer and spacer placed in the slot; and    an adhesive disposed on the connector;    wherein the adhesive secures the trim molding to the connector permitting the strip to slide relative to the support    
   
   
       2 . The strip of  claim 1 , wherein the strip is L-shaped for orienting the connector.  
   
   
       3 . The strip of  claim 1 , wherein the combination washer and spacer further comprises a counterbore for a head of a fastener, the counterbore maintaining the head flush with a top surface of the combination washer and spacer.  
   
   
       4 . The strip of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive further comprises a cover on a surface of the adhesive which is not disposed on the connector, the cover being removed before the trim molding is secured to the connector.  
   
   
       5 . The strip of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive comprises a double-sided tape.  
   
   
       6 . The strip of  claim 1 , further comprising a tack driven through the connector from a side of the connector adjacent to the support to an opposing side of the connector, the trim molding being secured on the connector by a portion of a shank of the tack.  
   
   
       7 . An assembly for securing trim molding with play relative to a support, the connector comprising: 
 a connector having a through slot, the slot being elongated in the direction of play;    a slider comprising a washer and a spacer to accommodate play of the trim molding relative to the support, the washer having a throughbore for receiving a fastener to join the connector to the support and the spacer spacing the connector from the support;    an adhesive disposed on the connector, the adhesive joining the trim molding to the connector; and    wherein the slider is slideably received in the slot permitting the trim molding to slide relative to the support.    
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , the washer further comprising a counterbore for a head of the fastener; the counterbore maintaining the head flush with a top surface of the washer.  
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the slider is snap fit in the slot.  
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the strip is L-shaped for orienting the connector.  
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the adhesive further comprises a cover on a surface of the adhesive which is not disposed on the connector, the cover being removed before the trim molding is joined to the connector.  
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the adhesive comprises a double-sided tape.  
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising a tack driven through the connector from a side of the connector adjacent to the support to an opposing side of the connector, the trim molding being secured on the connector by a portion of a shank of the tack.  
   
   
       14 . A method of securing trim molding with play relative to a support, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a connector having an elongated slot, the slot being elongated in the direction of play;    (b) providing a play assembly comprising a washer and a spacer to accommodate play of the trim molding relative to the support;    (c) inserting the play assembly into the slot of the connector so that the play assembly slides in the slot and the washer and spacer are disposed on opposite surface of the connector;    (d) driving a fastener through a throughbore of the washer to join the connector to the support so that the spacer is disposed between the connector and the support; and    (e) attaching the trim molding to an adhesive disposed on a surface of the connector.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the connector has an L-shape comprising a tab, and prior to step (b) the tab is removed.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the connector further comprises a tack driven through the connector from a side of the connector adjacent to the support to an opposing side, and step (e) further comprises securing the trim molding to a portion of a shank of the tack disposed on the opposing side.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of securing the trim molding to the portion of the tack disposed on the opposing side comprises applying a force to the trim molding so that the portion passes through the trim molding.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of bending the shank to secure the trim molding to the connector.  
   
   
       19 . A combination washer and spacer unit cooperating with a fastener to join a first member to a second member, the first member having an opening, the unit comprising: 
 a washer for retaining the unit above an exterior surface of the first member, the washer having a throughbore for receiving the fastener to join the first member to the second member;    a spacer for spacing the first and second member apart and being adapted for fitting through the opining,    wherein the spacer comprises a groove for retaining the spacer on an interior surface of the first member, the opening connects the interior surface to the exterior surface, and    wherein the spacer has first planar shape and the washer having a second planar shape, when the first planar shape being no larger than the second planar shape.    
   
   
       20 . The combination washer and spacer of  claim 19 , wherein the washer comprises a shoulder for bearing against the exterior surface of the first member, the shoulder comprising an area of the second planar shape that is not coincident with the first planar shape.