Architectuarl molding system and method

Abstract

A fully integrated system of accessible architectural molding which eliminates the need to tape and finish drywall. The system of components relies on a mechanical friction fit assembly that allow for easy installation and removal for future renovations or access to the chase areas of a wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An architectural molding assembly for application to a wall surface of a room comprising:
 an elongate bracket having a plurality of channels formed in a wall facing surface of the elongate bracket, an upper edge surface spaced apart from the wall facing surface, a lower edge surface extending from a room facing surface of the elongate bracket having an upturned portion and an inwardly turned lip extending from an end of the upturned portion, the inwardly turned lip oriented to face the room facing surface, the lower edge surface and upturned portion defining a lower channel along a lower portion of the elongate bracket;   a molding adapted to substantially enclose the bracket member, the molding having an arm extending downwardly from a top portion of the molding, the arm and a wall facing surface of the molding defining a top channel, a latch extending downwardly from a bottom edge surface of the molding, wherein the upper edge surface is adapted to be received in the top channel and the latch is adapted to be received in the lower channel.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the latch is adapted to engage with the inwardly turned lip in a snap fit attachment. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of channels, the upper edge surface and the lower channel are formed along the longitudinal length of the molding. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 2 , the top channel and the latch are formed along the longitudinal length of the molding. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a toe molding arm extending from a room facing surface of the molding and descending downwardly to define a toe molding channel between the toe molding arm and the latch.   
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a spacer adapted to be received between the room facing surface of the bracket and the wall facing surface of the molding.   
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the molding further comprises:
 a ledge extending from a top portion of the wall facing surface of the molding, the ledge adapted to receive a top edge surface of the spacer.   
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate bracket and the molding are formed from an extruded material. 
     
     
         9 . A method of removably applying an architectural molding to a wall surface of a room comprising:
 providing an elongate bracket having a plurality of channels formed in a wall facing surface of the elongate bracket, an upper edge surface spaced apart from the wall facing surface, a lower edge surface extending from a room facing surface of the elongate bracket having an upturned portion and an inwardly turned lip extending from an end of the upturned portion, the inwardly turned lip oriented to face the room facing surface, the lower edge surface and upturned portion defining a lower channel along a lower portion of the elongate bracket;   attaching the elongate bracket to a wall surface with a fastener;   providing a molding adapted to substantially enclose the bracket member, the molding having an arm extending downwardly from a top portion of the molding, the arm and a wall facing surface of the molding defining a top channel, a latch extending downwardly from a bottom edge surface of the molding, attaching the molding to the bracket, wherein the upper edge surface is received in the top channel and the latch is received in the lower channel.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 releasing the latch from the lower channel; and   removing the upper edge surface from the top channel.