Crown molding jig, and a method for its use

Abstract

Described herein is a crown molding jig, with a flat body, a device for attaching the upper end of the body to a wall, and a shelf, substantially perpendicular to the body, on which crown molding may be rested while a person installs the molding at the juncture of the wall and a ceiling. The jig may have an angled extension that when struck disengages the jig from the wall. A method using the jig to install crown molding is also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A crown molding jig, the jig comprising:
 a flat body having an upper end, a lower end, a front, and a back;   a wall attachment element, located on the back of the body at the upper end; and   a shelf attached to the front of the body at the lower end, and having an upper surface substantially perpendicular to the front of the body.   
     
     
         2 . A jig according to  claim 1 , wherein the body is substantially rectangular. 
     
     
         3 . A jig according to  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises an extension attached to the lower end, the extension having a back surface forming a reflex angle with the back. 
     
     
         4 . A jig according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall attachment element comprises a reusable adhesive. 
     
     
         5 . A jig according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall attachment element comprises at least one spike. 
     
     
         6 . A jig according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one spike is rotably attached to a hinge attached to the body at the upper end. 
     
     
         7 . A jig according to  claim 6 , wherein the hinge is oriented to permit the at least one spike to rotate between a position against the back of the body and a position substantially perpendicular to the back of the body. 
     
     
         8 . A jig according to  claim 7 , further comprising a biasing means, the action of which tends to force the at least one spike into the position against the back of the body. 
     
     
         9 . A jig according to  claim 6 , further comprising a lever extension of the at least one spike, extending through the hinge in the opposite direction from that of the spike. 
     
     
         10 . A jig according to  claim 6 , wherein the body further comprises at least one groove in the back in which the at least one spike fits when rotated into the position against the back of the body. 
     
     
         11 . A jig according to  claim 1 , wherein the shelf further comprises a lip on its distal end, the lip projecting upwards from the upper surface of the shelf. 
     
     
         12 . A jig according to  claim 1 , wherein the distance from the upper end to the shelf is adjustable. 
     
     
         13 . A method for installing crown molding, the method comprising:
 providing at least one jig as provided in  claim 1 ;   affixing the body of the at least one jig to a wall, with the upper end of the at least one jig against a ceiling connected to the wall, using the wall attachment element;   placing a length of crown molding on the shelf of the at least one jig;   fastening part of the length of crown molding to the ceiling and the wall;   removing the at least one jig from the wall; and   fastening the remainder of the crown molding to the wall and the ceiling.   
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein affixing the body of the at least one jig to the wall further comprises:
 engaging a lever fixed to at least one spike attached to the upper end of the at least one jig by a hinge, by pressing the lever against the ceiling, so as to rotate the at least one spike to a position substantially perpendicular to the back of the at least one jig; and   driving the at least one spike into the wall by striking the at least one jig.   
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein removing the at least one jig from the wall further comprises striking an extension attached to the lower end of the body of the at least one jig and having a back surface forming a reflex angle with the back, to disengage the wall attachment element.