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. A molding assembly includes a V-shaped bracket dimensioned to be received in the tapered edge surfaces of adjacent wall boards and a molding secured to the bracket in a snap-fit engagement to conceal the tapered edge surfaces.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An architectural molding assembly for a mud free joint between adjacent wall boards applied to a wall surface of a room comprising:
 an elongate bracket having a V-shape interior surface defined along a longitudinal length of the bracket, wherein the angle of the V-shape is dimensioned to correspond to a tapered edge surface extending along a longitudinal length of the adjacent wall boards and an apex of the elongate bracket is configured to be positioned along adjacent edges of the wall boards;   an upturned latching end defined along first and second lateral sides of the interior surface, the upturned latching end configured for a snap-fit engagement with a corresponding latch finger defined in a molding to enclose the elongate bracket.   
     
     
         2 . The architectural molding assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a molding having a room facing surface, a wall facing surface, and lateral side surfaces; and   an inwardly turned latch finger extending from an intermediate portion of the wall facing surface between the lateral side surfaces and a centerline of the molding.   
     
     
         3 . The architectural molding assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a plurality of holes disposed in a spaced apart relation along the longitudinal length of the interior surface.   
     
     
         4 . The architectural molding assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a ridge extending along a longitudinal centerline of the wall facing surface of the molding, the ridge configured to contact the vertex of the interior surface with the molding attached to the bracket.   
     
     
         5 . The architectural molding assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an engagement channel defined between the inwardly turned latch fingers and the wall facing surface;   a hook defined at a tip of the upturned latching end, wherein the hook is configured for the snap-fit engagement in the engagement channel.   
     
     
         6 . The architectural molding assembly of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 an inwardly turned edge of the side facing surfaces is dimensioned so that it is positioned in abutment with a flat wall board surface adjacent to the tapered edge section of the wall board.   
     
     
         7 . The architectural molding assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a channel defined in an interior surface of the side surfaces.   
     
     
         8 . The architectural molding assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a molding having a room facing surface, a wall facing surface, and lateral side surfaces; and   an inwardly turned latch finger extending from the lateral side surfaces of the molding configured for the snap-fit engagement with the upturned latching end of the bracket.   
     
     
         9 . The architectural molding assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 an inwardly turned edge defined along the lateral side surfaces is dimensioned so that it is positioned in abutment with a flat wall board surface adjacent to the tapered edge section of the wall board.   
     
     
         10 . A method of removably applying an architectural molding for a mud free joint between adjacent wall boards applied to a wall surface of a room comprising:
 applying an elongate bracket having a flattened V-shape interior surface defined along a longitudinal length of the bracket, an upturned latching end defined along first and second lateral sides of the interior surface, wherein the angle of the V-shape is dimensioned to conform the interior surface to a tapered edge surface extending along a longitudinal length of the adjacent wall boards and an apex of the elongate bracket is positioned along the adjacent edges of the adjacent wall boards.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 installing a fastener through the bracket to secure the bracket to the wall between the adjacent wall boards.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 providing a molding having a room facing surface, a wall facing surface, and lateral side surfaces; an inwardly turned latch finger extending from an intermediate portion of the wall facing surface between the lateral side surfaces and a centerline of the molding. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 attaching the molding to the bracket wherein the upturned latching end is attached in a snap-fit engagement with a corresponding latch finger defined in the molding to enclose the elongate bracket and conceal the tapered edge surface of the adjacent wall boards.