Base corner molding guide system and method of use

Abstract

The invention solves problems by providing a pre-manufactured molding corner piece made in an appropriate cross-section to match the molding or doorframe. The precut corners include a novel angled guide system that accurately positions molding strips in correct alignment with each precut corner and holds them there during installation. A “bevel guard” securely centers the molding strips during attachment and then is easily removed to accommodate final finish work. In use, molding is no longer required to be cut to form miter or bevel angles, but rather cut to a flat joint to match the distance in between two pre-manufactured corner pieces and engages the end of the preformed molding corner piece at a butt joint.

1 . A corner guide system comprising:
 a prefabricated corner piece;   an angle guide fixed to the prefabricated corner piece; and   the angle guide further comprising a back section adjacent to an intermediate section, and a bevel guard attached to the intermediate section by a reduced strength connection;   wherein the bevel guard may be removed from the intermediate section by separating the reduced strength connection.   
     
     
         2 . The corner guide system of  claim 1 , wherein the reduced strength connection is one of a perforation and a scoring line. 
     
     
         3 . The corner guide system of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate section further comprises a bottom section. 
     
     
         4 . The corner guide system of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate section further comprises a bottom section connected to a vertical section. 
     
     
         5 . The corner guide system of  claim 1 , wherein the back section is positioned adjacent a wall. 
     
     
         6 . The corner guide system of  claim 1 , wherein the back section is positioned against the prefabricated corner piece. 
     
     
         7 . The corner guide system of  claim 6 , wherein the back section forms a non-zero angle with a wall. 
     
     
         8 . The corner guide system of  claim 1 , wherein the prefabricated corner piece is one of an inside corner, an outside corner, an inside crown corner and an outside crown corner. 
     
     
         9 . A corner guide system comprising:
 a first rigid planar back section adjacent to and coplanar with a backside of a molding corner piece;   a first rigid planar bottom section, attached to the first rigid planar back section, adjacent to and coplanar with a bottom side of the molding corner piece; and   a first rigid bevel guard, removably attached to the first rigid planar bottom section, along a first reduced area break line, adjacent to and coplanar with a front side of the molding corner piece;   wherein the first rigid bevel guard may be separated from the first rigid planar bottom section after installation of a first molding strip adjacent the molding corner piece.   
     
     
         10 . The corner guide system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a second rigid planar back section, attached adjacent to and coplanar with the backside of the molding corner piece, at a predetermined angle to the first rigid planar back section;   a second rigid planar bottom section, attached to the second rigid planar back section, adjacent to and coplanar with the bottom side of the molding corner piece;   a second rigid bevel guard, removably attached to the second rigid planar bottom section, along a second reduced area break line, adjacent to and coplanar with the front side of the molding corner piece; and   wherein the second rigid bevel guard may be separated from the second rigid planar bottom section after installation of a second molding strip adjacent the molding corner piece;   wherein the predetermined angle is equal to about twice a miter angle of the molding corner piece.   
     
     
         11 . The corner guide system of  claim 10 , wherein the predetermined angle is between about 15° and about 345°. 
     
     
         12 . The corner guide system of  claim 9 , wherein the first reduced area break line is one of a perforated line and a scoring line. 
     
     
         13 . A corner guide system comprising:
 a first rigid planar bottom section, adjacent to and coplanar with a bottom side of a molding corner piece;   a first intermediate section, attached to the first rigid planar bottom section, adjacent to and coplanar with a backside of the molding corner piece;   a first rigid planar top section, attached to the first intermediate section, attached to and coplanar with a top side of the molding corner piece; and   a first rigid bevel guard, removably attached to the first rigid planar top section, along a first reduced area break line, adjacent to and coplanar with a front side of the molding corner piece;   wherein the first rigid bevel guard opposes a rotational moment, of a molding strip, thereby supporting the molding strip, during installation of the molding strip, adjacent the molding corner piece.   
     
     
         14 . The corner guide system of  claim 13 , wherein the first intermediate section further comprises:
 a first rigid planar vertical section, attached to the first rigid planar bottom section, adjacent to and coplanar with a first vertical side of the molding corner piece; and   a first rigid planar back section, attached to the first rigid planar vertical section, and the first rigid planar top section, attached adjacent to and coplanar with a first backside of the molding corner piece.   
     
     
         15 . The corner guide system of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first rigid planar vertical section is positioned at a first angle with the first rigid planar back section;   the first rigid planar back section is positioned at a second angle with the first rigid planar top section; and   the first angle is about complimentary to the second angle.   
     
     
         16 . The corner guide system of  claim 13 , wherein the first reduced area break line is one of a perforated line and a scoring line. 
     
     
         17 . A method of installing a corner guide system comprising:
 providing a prefabricated corner piece;   providing an angle guide, fixed to the prefabricated corner piece, having a back section adjacent to an intermediate section;   providing a bevel guard, attached to the intermediate section, by a reduced strength connection;   securing the prefabricated corner piece to a corner;   measuring a molding strip to a length;   cutting a flat end on the molding strip at the length;   positioning the molding strip adjacent the bevel guard;   securing the molding strip to a wall; and   removing the bevel guard.   
     
     
         18 . The method of installing the corner guide system of  claim 17 , further comprising affixing the angle guide to the prefabricated corner piece. 
     
     
         19 . The method of installing the corner guide system of  claim 17 , wherein the step of removing the bevel guard further comprises:
 breaking the bevel guard away from the intermediate section by breaking the reduced strength connection.   
     
     
         20 . The method of installing the corner guide system of  claim 17 , wherein the step of positioning further comprises:
 forming at least one butt joint between the prefabricated corner piece and the molding strip.