Trim paneling with miterless corner joints and related methods

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a paneling system including a first and a second span element each possessing a substantially non-rectangular lateral cross-section and at least one butt end having a surface substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the span element. The paneling system also includes a transition element having a first end defining a first coping profile, the first coping profile being mateable to the butt end of a first span element at substantially a right angle, and a second end defining a second coping profile, the second coping profile being mateable to the butt end of a second span element at substantially a right angle. Also disclosed is a method of installing a paneling system that includes arranging transition and span elements to mate and form miterless corners.

1 . A paneling set comprising: 
 a first span element defining a longitudinal axis and a substantially non-rectangular lateral cross section, the first span element comprising a first end defining a surface such that the longitudinal axis is substantially normal to the surface of the first end;    a second span element defining a longitudinal axis and a substantially non-rectangular lateral cross-section, the second span element comprising a second end defining a surface such that the longitudinal axis is substantially normal to the surface of the second end; and    a transition element comprising:    a first end defining a first coping profile, the first end of the transition element being mateable to the first span element along at least the first coping profile at substantially a right angle; and    a second end defining a second coping profile, mating of the second end of the transition element to the second span element along the second coping profile occurring at substantially a right angle.    
   
   
       2 . The paneling set of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second coping profiles is shaped and dimensioned to complement the substantially non-rectangular lateral cross-sections of the first and second span elements.  
   
   
       3 . The paneling set of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second coping profiles is shaped and dimensioned to complement the surfaces defined by the first and second ends of the first and second span elements.  
   
   
       4 . The paneling set of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the span elements mates with the respective end of the transition element to form a paneling assembly having at least one coping joint, the assembly closely fitting over a surface of a structure comprising at least two orthogonally-joined planar elements.  
   
   
       5 . The paneling set of  claim 4 , wherein the planar elements comprise adjoining walls of a building.  
   
   
       6 . The paneling set of  claim 1  wherein the transition element comprises a decorative surface.  
   
   
       7 . The paneling set of  claim 1  wherein the first and second span elements comprise a decorative surface.  
   
   
       8 . The paneling set of  claim 1  wherein the surfaces defined by the first and second ends of the first and second span elements are substantially planar.  
   
   
       9 . The paneling set of  claim 1  wherein the paneling set is one of metal, wood, stone, ceramic, plastic, or a composite material.  
   
   
       10 . The paneling set of  claim 1  wherein the paneling set comprises a composite material.  
   
   
       11 . The paneling set of  claim 10  wherein the composite material comprises a polyester portion and a metal portion, the metal portion defining the decorative surfaces of the paneling set.  
   
   
       12 . The paneling set of  claim 10  wherein the composite material comprises a polyester portion and a stone portion, the stone portion defining the decorative surfaces of the paneling set.  
   
   
       13 . A transition element for a paneling set, the transition element comprising: 
 a first end defining a first coping profile; and    a second end defining a second coping profile;    wherein the first and second coping profiles are configured for the formation of a coping joint between the transition element and at least one span element, the at least one span element defining a longitudinal axis and a substantially non-rectangular lateral cross-section, the at least one span element comprising an end defining a surface such that the longitudinal axis is substantially normal to the surface of the end.    
   
   
       14 . The transition element of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first and second coping profiles is shaped and dimensioned to match the substantially non-rectangular lateral cross-section of the at least one span element.  
   
   
       15 . The transition element of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first and second coping profiles is shaped and dimensioned to complement a profile of the surface defined by the at least one span element.  
   
   
       16 . The transition element of  claim 13  wherein the transition element comprises a decorative surface.  
   
   
       17 . The transition element of  claim 13  wherein the at least one span element comprises a decorative surface.  
   
   
       18 . The transition element of  claim 13  wherein the transition element is configured for forming an inside corner with the at least one span element.  
   
   
       19 . The transition element of  claim 13  wherein the transition element is configured for forming an outside corner with the at least one span element.