Decorative column

Abstract

A decorative column comprises a plurality of interlocking panels. Each panel comprises a main body having an interior face, an exterior face, a first side edge and a second side edge. The first side edge comprises a first notch. An exterior flange terminates in a first slanted outer edge surface oriented at a first acute angle with respect to the exterior face. The second side edge terminates in a second slanted outer edge surface and that is oriented at a second acute angle with respect to the exterior face. The second slanted outer edge surface leads to a transverse flange that projects towards the interior face of the main body. A second notch is adjacent the transverse flange. The transverse flange of one interlocking panel engages the first notch of another interlocking panel. The interior flange of one interlocking panel engages the second notch of another interlocking panel.

1 . A decorative column for use in surrounding a vertical structural column, said decorative column comprising:
 a plurality of interlocking panels, each of said panels comprising:   a main body having an interior face, an exterior face, a first side edge and a second side edge;   wherein said first side edge comprises a first notch extending along the length of said first side edge and defined by an exterior flange and an interior flange, wherein said exterior flange terminates in a first slanted outer edge surface that is oriented at a first acute angle with respect to said exterior face of said main body;   wherein said second side edge terminates in a second slanted outer edge surface extending along the length and that is oriented at a second acute angle with respect to said exterior face of said main body, and with said second slanted outer edge surface leading to a transverse flange extending along the length of said second side edge and projecting towards said interior face of said main body, with a second notch disposed adjacent said transverse flange extending along the length of said main body;   wherein said first acute angle and said second acute angle sum to ninety degrees (90°);   wherein said transverse flange of one interlocking panel engages said first notch of another interlocking panel; and,   wherein said interior flange of one interlocking panel engages said second notch of another interlocking panel.   
     
     
         2 . The decorative column according to  claim 1 , wherein said first notch, said exterior flange, said interior flange, and said first slanted outer edge surface extend along the entire length of said first side edge. 
     
     
         3 . The decorative column according to  claim 1 , wherein said second slanted outer edge surface, said transverse flange, and second notch, extend along the entire length of said second side edge. 
     
     
         4 . The decorative column according to  claim 1 , wherein said first acute angle and said second acute angle are each about forty-five degrees (45°). 
     
     
         5 . The decorative column according to  claim 1 , wherein the thicknesses of said exterior flange, said interior flange, and said transverse flange are approximately the same one as the others. 
     
     
         6 . A squaring apparatus for use in installing a decorative column surrounding a vertical structural column, said squaring apparatus comprising:
 a first squaring member and a second squaring member, each squaring member comprising:   a first leg having a first outer abutment surface and a first inner abutment surface;   a second leg having a second outer abutment surface and a second inner abutment surface;   where said first outer abutment surface and said second outer abutment surface are oriented at ninety degrees (90°) to each other; and,   where said first inner abutment surface and said second inner abutment surface are oriented at ninety degrees (90°) to each other;   wherein said first outer abutment surface and said second outer abutment surface are decoratively formed.   
     
     
         7 . The squaring apparatus according to  claim 6 , further comprising a cylindrical groove at the vertex between said first inner abutment surface and said second inner abutment surface. 
     
     
         8 . A co-operating pair of panels for forming a decorative column for use in surrounding a vertical structural column, said co-operating pair of panels comprising:
 a first panel and a second panel;   wherein each of said panels comprises a main body having an interior face, an exterior face, a free side edge and a joined side edge;   wherein said joined side edge of said first panel is oriented at a first acute angle with respect to said exterior face of said main body;   wherein said joined side edge of said second panel is oriented at a second acute angle with respect to said exterior face of said main body;   wherein said joined side edge of said first panel has a notch therein and said joined side edge of said second panel has a co-operating protrusion therein; and,   wherein, in use, when said first panel and a second panel are folded together in an installed in-use configuration, said protrusion is received in said notch to thereby preclude movement of the two vertical panel members one with respect to the other.   
     
     
         9 . The co-operating pair of panels according to  claim 8 , wherein said first acute angle and said second acute angle sum to ninety degrees (90°). 
     
     
         10 . The co-operating pair of panels according to  claim 8 , wherein said protrusion and said notch are each triangular in cross-section.