[0001] The invention relates to a baseboard system, comprising a baseboard module for placing
a baseboard element against a wall part of a room, the baseboard module comprising
a fastening element for fastening the baseboard module to the wall part and a coupling
element for coupling the baseboard element, while after fastening of the baseboard
element, the coupling element extends substantially parallel to the wall part.
[0002] Such a baseboard system is known from, for instance,
US patent publication US 4 337 604, wherein the fastening element comprises a shaft with helical flanges, which can
be fastened in the wall part as a screw. The shaft terminates at the side remote from
the wall part into the coupling element that comprises a bent part which extends transversely
to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and substantially parallel thereto and which
reaches into a groove of the baseboard element. The groove extends in the longitudinal
direction of the baseboard element. The baseboard element can be coupled to the baseboard
module by positioning the element against the wall part and sliding it over the bent
part of the coupling element.
[0003] The baseboard system can thus be placed against the wall part in a manner such that
the baseboard module is, in principle, not visible. Naturally, for a proper coupling
between the baseboard module and the baseboard element, a good positioning of the
bent part of the coupling element is desired, i.e. an orientation of the baseboard
module with which the bent part extends transversely to the longitudinal direction
of the baseboard element. The fact is that then, the bent part reaches maximally into
the glove of the baseboard element so that, in principle, a maximum coupling is obtained.
[0004] The coupling between the baseboard module and the baseboard element is less effective
when the bent part of the baseboard module extends in a different direction, for instance
in the longitudinal direction of the baseboard element, while there is hardly any
coupling involved, or in an orientation between the optimal position and the above-mentioned
position. Also, divergence from an optimal position of the bent part can result in
warping of the baseboard element as the forces applied thereon are not well balanced.
It is therefore of importance to orient the baseboard module well before coupling
of the baseboard element. However, a relatively small pivotal movement of the shaft
of the baseboard module already changes the position of the bent part. Pivotal movement
of the shaft can furthermore be undesired as then, the shaft also moves axially in
or out of the wall element so that also, the position of a projection attached to
the shaft changes with respect to the wall element. For a stable coupling of the baseboard
element, the projection abuts against the wall element. Hence, a choice has to be
made between an optimal position of the bent part and an optimal position of the projection.
[0005] In addition, the position of the shaft and hence that of the bent part can change
position when the groove of the baseboard element is slid over the bent part, which
results in a poorer coupling, or no coupling at all between the baseboard module and
the baseboard element. However, after the baseboard system has been placed, repositioning
of the bent part is virtually impossible.
[0006] The object of the invention is to obtain a baseboard system according to the opening
paragraph, wherein the above-mentioned drawbacks are prevented, while maintaining
the advantages. The object of the invention is in particular to obtain a baseboard
system according to the opening paragraph, wherein realization of the coupling between
the baseboard module and the baseboard element is facilitated. To that end, the coupling
element of the baseboard system according the invention further comprises a substantially
circular flange.
[0007] Through design of the coupling element with a substantially circular flange, the
baseboard module is coupled to the baseboard element with the aid of a construction
that is practically independent of pivotal movement of the fastening element. The
fact is that flange cooperating therewith for coupling the baseboard element is circular.
Therefore, the radical position of the fastening element can be set independently
of the coupling with the baseboard element. The coupling of the baseboard module and
the baseboard element can thus be realized more easily.
[0008] The baseboard element is for instance designed as a decorative element extending
substantially in longitudinal direction, and is used for finishing corners in a room.
Such a baseboard element can have a relatively simple appearance such as a rectangular
strip of material with which, in longitudinal direction, a groove is provided, but
may also be provided with all sorts of decorative shapes such as sharp and/or rounded
edges. The baseboard element can further be utilized not only in corners or edges
of a room but also at a distance from an edge of the wall element, for instance as
an ornamental frame.
[0009] It is noted that the term wall part is understood to mean an element bounding the
room such as a wall, ceiling or floor. It is further noted that in this framework,
the term room indicates a space in a building, such as a room, hall, corridor, et
cetera.
[0010] Through provision in the longitudinal direction of the baseboard element of a groove
for including at least a part of the flange for coupling to the baseboard module,
the flange can reach into the baseboard element so that a relatively simple but efficient
coupling can be realized. Naturally, it is also possible to realize the coupling of
the baseboard module and the baseboard element in a different manner, with the aid
of, for instance, a snap construction or a screw connection.
[0011] In an advantageous manner, the flange can be designed such that it projects substantially
radially around the fastening element. As a result, forces applied to the flange can
be transmitted via the fastening element to the wall part in a manner that is as symmetrical
as possible.
[0012] Preferably, the baseboard module comprises an abutting face which, after placement
of the baseboard element, together with at least a part of the flange, applies a couple
to the baseboard element for pressing the baseboard element against the wall part.
As a result, a baseboard system can be obtained with the baseboard element abutting
seamlessly against the wall part, rendering finishing of a possible seam superfluous.
The couple is formed in that the flange presses a part of the baseboard element against
the wall while the abutment face applies an opposite force to an adjacent part of
the baseboard element.
[0013] By, further, designing the abutting face as a collar extending around the fastening
element, a system is effected in which the force applied by the abutting face engages
the baseboard element symmetrically around the fastening element, so that forces acting
on the baseboard module are transmitted substantially symmetrically to the wall element.
As a result, the baseboard system is prevented from pulling out of position.
[0014] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a side of the flange proximal to
the wall part after fastening of the baseboard module is provided with grooves so
that frictional forces which occur when the flange slides over a baseboard element,
increase. As a result, the coupling between the baseboard module and the baseboard
element becomes stronger, which counteracts undesired coming off of the baseboard
element.
[0015] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are represented in the subclaims.
[0016] The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of exemplary embodiments represented
in the drawing. In the drawing:
Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a cross-section of a baseboard system according to
the invention;
Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a baseboard system of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 shows a first perspective view of a baseboard module of the baseboard system
of Fig. 1; and
Fig. 4 shows a second perspective view of a baseboard module of the baseboard system
of Fig. 1.
[0017] The Figures are merely schematic representations of the invention and are exclusively
given by way of non-limitative exemplary embodiments.
[0018] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a cross-section of a baseboard system 1 according
to the invention. Fig. 2 shows the baseboard system 1 of Fig. 1 in perspective view.
The baseboard system 1 has a baseboard module 2 and baseboard element 3. With the
aid of the baseboard module 2, the baseboard element 3 can relatively simply be placed
against a wall part 4 of a room 5. As shown in Fig. 1, the baseboard system is placed
on a floor element 7 adjacent the lower edge 6 of the wall part 4.
[0019] In Figs. 3 and 4 are shown a first and second perspective view, respectively, of
the baseboard module 2, while a side 16 remote from the wall part 4 and a side 17
proximal to the wall part 4, respectively, is visible. The baseboard module 2 has
a cylindrical base part 8 of hollow design around the central axis L (see, in particular,
Fig. 4). The cavity 8a is suitable for receiving a fastening element which also forms
part of the baseboard module 2. The fastening element comprises a screw 9, which is
anchored in the wall part 4 for fastening the baseboard module 2 to the wall part
4.
[0020] The baseboard module 2 further comprises a coupling element for coupling the baseboard
module 2 to the baseboard element 3. The coupling element comprises a flange 10 which
is provided on a side 16 of the base part 8 remote from the wall part and extends
radially around the screw 9. In a condition attached to the wall part 4, the flange
10 extends substantially parallel to the wall part.
[0021] In the baseboard element 3, in the longitudinal direction, a groove 11 is provided
for receiving a top part 12 of the flange 10. Placing the baseboard system against
the wall part 4 comprises the operations/actions of fastening the baseboard module
2 to the wall part 4 and then coupling the baseboard element 3 to the baseboard module
2. Coupling the baseboard element 3 to the baseboard module 2 is effected by sliding
the baseboard element 3 by the groove 11 over the projecting flange 10. As the flange
10 extends substantially parallel to the wall part 4, the baseboard element 3 slides
relatively easily over the flange 10 and still links up relatively well with the wall
part 4.
[0022] Preferably, the flange 10 is biased so that a relatively large force can be applied
to the baseboard element 3 in the direction of the wall part 4. The baseboard module
2 can for instance be fastened to the wall part 4 such that the distance between the
side 10 of the flange proximal to the wall part 4 and the wall part in relaxed????
condition is for instance approximately some millimetres less than the distance between
the part 18 of the baseboard element 3 abutting the wall part 4 and an inside face
10 of the baseboard element 3 defining the groove edge on the side of the wall part
4. By sliding the baseboard element 3 over the top part 12 of the flange 10, the flange
10 is biased so that a relatively large force is applied on the above-mentioned inside
face 19 of the baseboard element. It is noted that, naturally, the flange 10 can also
be coupled to the baseboard element without bias.
[0023] Further, the base part 8 of the baseboard module 2 terminates at the side 16 remote
from the wall part 4 into a collar 13 which extends around the screw 9. The collar
13 is of symmetrical design around the screw 9 and thus forms, by an extremity 13a,
an abutting face which abuts against the baseboard element 3. Hence, the collar 13
reaches over the end face of the screw 9. As the collar 13 applied a force to a first
part of the baseboard element 3 in a direction away from the wall part 4, while the
upper part 12 of the flange 10 applied a force adjacent the groove 11 to the above-mentioned
inside face 19 of the baseboard element 3, a couple is formed on the baseboard element
3 with respect to an axis situated between the first and second part of the baseboard
element 3. The couple presses the upper edge 14 of the baseboard element 3 virtually
seamlessly against the wall part 4 so that an optically attractive finish is obtained.
[0024] The baseboard module 2 is further provided, at the side 17 proximal to the wall part
4 with grooves 15 so that the grip of the upper part 12 of the flange 10 on the baseboard
element 3 near the groove 11 increases.
[0025] It is noted that a baseboard element 3 is placed against a wall part 4 with the aid
of one, but preferably with the aid of a plural number of baseboard modules 2. Further,
a single baseboard module 2 can be coupled to one or two baseboard elements 3. This
latter can be effected by having ends of baseboard elements 3 reach half over the
flange 10, viewed sideways.
[0026] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described herein. Many variants
are possible.
[0027] For instance, the fastening element can comprise, instead of or in addition to a
screw, also another fastening element, such as a bolt. In addition, the baseboard
module can also be fastened to a wall part with a different construction, for instance
with the aid of a glue connection.
[0028] The fastening element can further be integrated with the baseboard module and hence
be connected to the base part of the baseboard module.
[0029] As described hereinabove, the base part can have a cylinder shape with a circular
circumference. Naturally, also, other outlines are possible, such as a square. It
is in addition also possible to choose another base shape such as a cone-shape instead
of a cylinder shape.
[0030] Such variants will be clear to the person skilled in the art and are understood to
fall within the range of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.
1. A baseboard system, comprising a baseboard module for placing a baseboard element
against a wall part of a room, the baseboard module comprising a fastening element
for fastening the baseboard module to the wall part and a coupling element for coupling
to the baseboard element, while after fastening of the baseboard element, the coupling
element extends substantially parallel to the wall part and further comprises a substantially
circular flange.
2. A baseboard system according to claim 1, wherein the flange projects substantially
radially around the fastening element.
3. A baseboard system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flange, after placement
of the baseboard element and for coupling to the baseboard element reaches into a
groove provided in the longitudinal direction of the baseboard element.
4. A baseboard system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the baseboard
module comprises an abutting face which, after placement of the baseboard element
applies, together with at least a part of the flange, a couple to the baseboard element
for pressing the baseboard element against the wall part.
5. A baseboard system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the abutting
face is designed as a collar extending around the fastening element.
6. A baseboard system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a side of
the flange proximal to the wall part after fastening of the baseboard module is provided
with grooves.
7. A baseboard system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flange
is biased.
8. A baseboard system, wherein the fastening element is integrated with the coupling
element.
9. A baseboard system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising
a baseboard element wherein in the longitudinal direction a groove is provided for
receiving at least a part of the flange for coupling to the baseboard module.