Construction elements

Abstract

A construction element is provided for forming a corner of a surface of a building, the surface including wall panels attached to framing studs. The construction element includes: a corner-forming surface that that is shaped to extend, in a cross-sectional view, between two separate wall panels, such that ends of the corner-forming surface, as viewed in the cross-sectional view, substantially match respective corners of the wall panels. The construction element may be provided in multiple sections that are placed end to end and connected together.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A construction element for forming a corner at which two building surfaces join, the surfaces comprising wall panels attached to framing studs, the construction element comprising:
 a body including:
 an outer corner-forming surface that is shaped to extend, in a cross-sectional view, between two separate first wall panels, such that ends of the outer corner-forming surface, as viewed in the cross-sectional view, substantially match respective corners of the first wall panels, the outer corner-forming surface being curved and having a constant radius over a majority of a length of the outer corner-forming surface; 
 stud attachment surfaces that are connected to the outer corner-forming surface; and 
 an inner corner-forming surface that is connected to the stud attachment surfaces, and is shaped to extend, in a cross-sectional view, between two separate second wall panels, different from the first wall panels, such that ends of the inner corner-forming surface, as viewed in the cross-sectional view, substantially match respective corners of the second wall panels, the inner corner-forming surface being curved and having a constant radius over a majority of a length of the inner corner-forming surface, 
   wherein the construction element is of polymer material, and exists as a fully formed element prior to attachment to the framing studs, and a radius of the outer corner-forming surface is at least 12 inches.   
     
     
         2 . The construction element of  claim 1 , wherein the stud attachment surfaces are at an angle of 90° to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The construction element of  claim 1 , wherein the stud attachment surfaces are at an angle of 45° to each other. 
     
     
         4 . The construction element of  claim 1 , wherein the body is of solid polymer material. 
     
     
         5 . The construction element of  claim 1 , wherein the radius of the outer corner-forming surface is at most 30 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The construction element of  claim 1 , wherein the radius of the outer corner-forming surface is at most 30 feet. 
     
     
         7 . The construction element of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a plurality of sections that are configured to be placed end to end and connected together. 
     
     
         8 . The construction element of  claim 7 , further comprising one or more structures configured to align the sections with each other and/or connect the sections together. 
     
     
         9 . The construction element of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes one or more hollow sections extending in a longitudinal direction of the body. 
     
     
         10 . A wall structure, comprising:
 a plurality of framing studs;   a plurality of wall panels connected to the framing studs to define at least two separate wall surfaces; and   the construction element of  claim 1 , wherein the construction element forms a corner of an interior wall of a building, and the stud attachment surfaces are attached to separate ones of the studs.   
     
     
         11 . A method of using a construction element to form a corner at which two building surfaces join, the surfaces being surfaces of wall panels attached to framing studs, the construction element comprising a body including:
 an outer corner-forming surface that is shaped to extend, in a cross-sectional view, between two separate first wall panels, such that ends of the outer corner-forming surface, as viewed in the cross-sectional view, substantially match respective corners of the first wall panels, the outer corner-forming surface being curved and having a constant radius over a majority of a length of the outer corner-forming surface; and   stud attachment surfaces that are connected to the outer corner-forming surface,   wherein the body comprises a first section and a second section that are configured to be placed end to end and connected together,   the method comprising:   attaching each stud attachment surface of first section to an attachment surface of a respective one of the framing studs, the stud attachment surfaces being longer, as viewed in the cross-sectional view, than the attachment surfaces of the framing studs;   moving the second section horizontally between (i) an end of the first section and (ii) a floor or a ceiling; and   attaching each stud attachment surface of the second section to an attachment surface of a respective one of the framing studs.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the body is of polymer material. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the body is of solid polymer material. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the body includes one or more hollow sections extending in a longitudinal direction of the body. 
     
     
         15 . A method of using a construction element to form a corner at which two building surfaces join, the surfaces being surfaces of wall panels attached to framing studs, the construction element comprising a body including:
 an outer corner-forming surface that is shaped to extend, in a cross-sectional view, between two separate first wall panels, such that ends of the outer corner-forming surface, as viewed in the cross-sectional view, substantially match respective corners of the first wall panels, the outer corner-forming surface being curved and having a constant radius over a majority of a length of the outer corner-forming surface; and   stud attachment surfaces that are connected to the outer corner-forming surface,   the method comprising:   providing a taper at one end of the body;   raising the body to an upright position between a floor and a ceiling; and   attaching each stud attachment surface of the body to an attachment surface of a respective one of the framing studs.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the body is of polymer material. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the body is of solid polymer material. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the body includes one or more hollow sections extending in a longitudinal direction of the body.