Multi piece curved moldings

Abstract

The present invention is a multi piece curved molding including at least two curved sections adapted to butt together at an abutting joint. It further includes a flexible hinge for connecting the curved sections together at the joint for operably folding and unfolding the curved sections. Preferably it also includes a wafer for connecting two abutting curved sections at an abutting joint.

1 . A collapsible multi piece curved molding comprising; at least two curved sections adapted to butt together at an abutting joint to form a contiguous curved molding; 
 and a means for hinging together the curved sections such that the curved sections are operably foldable between a folded position and an extended position.    
   
   
       2 . The collapsible multi piece curved molding claimed in  claim 1  wherein the hinging means including at least one flexible hinge joined to the curved sections proximate abutting ends for joining the curved sections at the abutting joint.  
   
   
       3 . The collapsible multi piece curved molding claimed in  claim 1  wherein the hinging means including at least one flexible hinge including a left member, a right member and a hinge portion, such that the left member adapted to be received in one hinge pocket and the right member adapted to be received in a second hinge pocket defined in the abutting curved sections, wherein the flexible hinge for joining abutting curved sections at the abutting joint.  
   
   
       4 . The collapsible multi piece curved molding claimed in  claim 3  wherein the hinge including a one piece rigid plastic construction having a left member, a right member and a hinge portion such that the left member adapted to be received in one hinge pocket and the right member adapted to be received in a second hinge pocket defined in the abutting curved section.  
   
   
       5 . The collapsible multi piece curved molding claimed in  claim 3  or  4  wherein the hinge including a multi layered hinge wherein the left and right members including a rigid plastic top layer, a flexible foam intermediate layer and an adhesive bottom layer such that the adhesive layer makes contact with the hinge pocket thereby adhesively connecting the hinge to the curved section.  
   
   
       6 . The multi piece curved molding claimed in  claim 1  wherein the connecting means including at least one elastic hinge joined to the curved sections proximate the abutting ends wherein the elastic hinge for operably folding and unfolding the curved sections selectively into an inside folded position or an outside folded position or an extended position.  
   
   
       7 . A multi piece curved molding comprising at least two curved sections adapted to butt together at a joint to form a contiguous curved molding; and a means for connecting together the curved sections.  
   
   
       8 . The multi piece curved molding claimed in  claim 7  wherein the connecting means including at least one planar wafer, such that portions of the wafer are joined to each of the curved sections proximate abutting ends, the wafer for operably joining the curved sections such that they abut together at the abutting joint.  
   
   
       9 . The multi piece curved molding claimed in  claim 8  wherein substantially one half of the wafer is received within a recessed wafer pocket of one curved section and the other half of the wafer is received in a recessed wafer pocket of the abutting curved section thereby operably joining the curved sections at the abutting joint.  
   
   
       10 . The multi piece curved molding claimed in  claim 8  or  9  wherein the wafer including a one piece rigid plastic construction.  
   
   
       11 . The multi piece curved molding claimed in  claim 8  and  9  wherein the wafer including a multi layered wafer including a rigid plastic top layer, a flexible intermediate foam layer and an adhesive bottom layer such that the adhesive layer makes contact with the wafer pocket thereby adhesively connecting the hinge to the curved section.  
   
   
       12 . A partially collapsible multi piece curved molding comprising; at least three curved sections adapted to butt together at abutting joints to form a contiguous curved molding; a means for hinging together at least two curved sections such that the curved sections are operably foldable between a folded position and an extended position; a means for connecting together at least two of the curved sections.  
   
   
       13 . The partially collapsible multi piece curved molding claimed in  claim 12  wherein the hinging means including at least one flexible hinge joined to the curved sections proximate abutting ends for joining the curved sections at the abutting joint.  
   
   
       14 . The partially collapsible multi piece curved molding claimed in  claim 13  wherein the hinging means including at least one flexible hinge including a left member, a right member and a hinge portion, such that the left member adapted to be received in one hinge pocket and the right member adapted to be received in a second hinge pocket defined in the abutting curved section, wherein the flexible hinge for joining abutting curved sections at the abutting joint.  
   
   
       15 . The partially collapsible multi piece curved molding claimed in  claim 12  further including a connecting means for connecting together curved sections, the connecting means including at least one planar wafer, such that the wafer being joined to each of the curved sections proximate abutting ends, the wafer for operably joining the curved sections such that they abut together at the abutting joint.  
   
   
       16 . The partially collapsible multi piece curved molding claimed in  claim 15  wherein substantially one half of the wafer is received within a recessed wafer pocket of one curved section and the other half of the wafer is received in a recessed wafer pocket of the abutting curved section thereby operably joining the curved sections at the abutting joint.  
   
   
       17 . The partially collapsible multi piece curved molding claimed in  claim 16  wherein the hinge including a multi layered hinge wherein the left and right members including a rigid plastic top layer, a flexible foam intermediate layer and an adhesive bottom layer such that the adhesive layer makes contact with the hinge pocket thereby adhesively connecting the hinge to the curved section.  
   
   
       18 . The partially collapsible multi piece curved molding claimed in  claim 17  wherein the wafer including a multi layered wafer including a rigid plastic top layer, a flexible intermediate foam layer and an adhesive bottom layer such that the adhesive layer makes contact with the wafer pocket thereby adhesively connecting the hinge to the curved section.  
   
   
       19 . A kit including parts for assembling a multi piece curved molding, the kit including; a plurality of curved sections adapted to butt together at abutting joints to form a contiguous curved section; and a means for hinging together the curved sections such that the curved sections are operably foldable between a folded position and an extended position.  
   
   
       20 . A kit including parts for assembling a multi piece curved molding, the kit including; a plurality of curved sections adapted to butt together at abutting joints to form a contiguous curved section; and means for connecting together the curved sections proximate abutting ends.  
   
   
       21 . The kit claimed in  claim 20  further including a means for hinging together the curved sections such that the curved sections are operably foldable between a folded position and an extended position.  
   
   
       22 . The kit claimed in  claim 21  wherein the hinging means including at least one flexible hinge joined to the curved sections proximate abutting ends for joining the curved sections at the abutting joint.  
   
   
       23 . The kit claimed in  claim 21  wherein the hinging means including at least one flexible hinge including a left member, a right member and a hinge portion, such that the left member adapted to be received in one hinge pocket and the right member adapted to be received in a second hinge pocket defined in the abutting curved section, wherein the flexible hinge for joining abutting curved sections at the abutting joint.  
   
   
       24 . The kit claimed in  claim 23  wherein the hinge including a multi layered hinge wherein the left and right members including a rigid plastic top layer, a flexible foam intermediate layer and an adhesive bottom layer such that the adhesive layer makes contact with the hinge pocket thereby adhesively connecting the hinge to the curved section.  
   
   
       25 . The kit claimed in  claim 20  wherein the connecting means including at least one planar wafer, such that portions of the wafer are joined to each of the curved sections proximate abutting ends, the wafer for operably joining the curved sections such that they abut together at the abutting joint.  
   
   
       26 . The kit claimed in  claim 25  wherein substantially one half of the wafer is received within a recessed wafer pocket of one curved section and the other half of the wafer is received in a recessed wafer pocket of the abutting curved section thereby operably joining the curved sections at the abutting joint.  
   
   
       27 . The kit claimed in  claim 26  wherein the wafer including a multi layered wafer including a rigid plastic top layer, a flexible intermediate foam layer and an adhesive bottom layer such that the adhesive layer makes contact with the wafer pocket bottom thereby adhesively connecting the hinge to the curved section.