Air Communicating Width Adjustable Trim Molding

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application 63/632,078 filed Apr. 10, 2024 under the same title having inventor Ed Vaes.

This concept relates to trim molding such as casings, door casings and baseboards and more particularly relates to casings and base boards which have the ability to communicate air through a bottom side of the casing or baseboard and also are width adjustable.

Trim moldings are used in residential and commercial construction to finish off doors, windows, ceilings and floor-wall joints. Trim moldings around doors and windows are called casings, and more specifically are called door casings when installed around doors openings, and are called window casings when they are installed around window openings. Trim molding for floor-wall joints are called baseboards and trim molding for ceilings are called crown moldings.

Doors shut out light, sound and unfortunately also the movement of air. Modern home design has become so airtight that often special provisions are required to enhance air movement between different rooms in a house to increase the infusion of fresh air. So called passive ventilation allows for air exchange between rooms even when the entry door is closed. In some cases, passive ventilation is required in order to provide fresh air for example for equipment in a mechanical room where room air is used for combustion of fuel. In other cases, passive ventilation is needed to aid in the removal of excess moisture as in for example in a bathroom to minimize mold formation. In yet other instances, rooms are so airtight that there can be a build up of pollutants and other toxins due to insufficient air exchange and increased passive ventilation is required to improve the air quality.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,612,239 issued Apr. 7, 2020 to Vanair Design Inc., describes a passive door ventilation system that is provided for with an opening or groove on each face of a partially hollow door to allow air to move through the door itself. This method to increase passive ventilation substantially increases the cost to manufacture the door and results in altering the look or design of the door which in some cases may not be acceptable from an aesthetic perspective.

There is a need for a low-cost passive ventilation device or system which does not affect the aesthetics of the door itself and provides a simple fit or retrofit of an existing door or window or wall opening. This concept is applicable to both new construction and to retrofit existing constructions. Preferably this can be accomplished without the need to replace the door in the case it is deployed in a door opening or the window in the case it is deployed in a window opening.

The present concept is an air communicating trim molding for installation as a baseboard and a casing, the air communicating trim molding includes a bottom side, a top side, a left edge, and a right edge, and is of pre-selected longitudinal length, wherein the bottom side includes an air passageway which is configured to communicate air along the air passageway when in an installed positionon a wall surface.

Preferably wherein it further includes edge openings defined in at least one edge of the trim molding, such that the air passageways communicate exterior air through the edge openings.

Preferably wherein the air communicating trim molding is selected from the following: a door casing, a window casing, and a floor baseboard.

Preferably it includes edge openings defined in the right and left edges, such that the air passageways communicate exterior air through the edge openings.

Preferably wherein the bottom side further includes contact surfaces for making contact with and maintaining the air passageways spaced from the wall surface in the installed position.

Preferably it further includes it a bottom surface, a top surface, and an intermediate surface spaced between the bottom and top surface, wherein the air passageway is defined as the space between the intermediate surface and the bottom surface.

Preferably wherein the bottom surface is a planar surface, and the intermediate surface is a planar surface disposed parallel to and spaced from the bottom surface.

Preferably further includes edge openings defined in at least one edge of the trim molding, such that the air passageways communicate exterior air through the edge openings.

The present concept also includes an air communicating adjustable width trim molding for installation as a baseboard and a door casing, the adjustable width trim molding comprises;

Preferably it further includes edge openings wherein the air passageways communicate exterior air through the edge openings defined in at least one edge of the air communicating adjustable width trim molding.

Preferably it further includes edge openings defined in the right and left edges, such that the air passageways communicate exterior air through the edge openings.

Preferably wherein the bottom side further includes contact surfaces for making contact with, and maintaining the air passageways spaced from, the installed surface in the installed position.

Preferably wherein the connecting element of preselected longitudinal length, is a planar element configured to be integrally part of one of the portions, wherein the other portion includes a groove for slidably receiving a selective amount of the planar element therein, thereby providing for selective width adjustment.

Referring first to, which shows an Air Communicating Trim Mouldingdeployed onto a prepared door frameand an Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Mouldingdeployed onto prepared door frameand a width adjustable trim molding as indeployed as a baseboard.

The Air Communicating Trim Mouldingcould also be deployed around an internal window as for example in office spaces where it is desirable to increase passive air exchange. Wood frame construction of window openings is analogous to as depicted prepared door framewith the addition of a window lower horizontal portion not found in doors.

Prepared door framein normal construction would include a rough opening frame shown as, several shims or spacers, and interior door jamb. The rough opening frameis always roughed in substantially bigger than the finished door jambto accommodate adjustability of the door jambin the lateral direction, transverse direction, and possibly also in the longitudinal direction. Positioning of the door jambis accomplished using shims or spacerssuch that once the door jamb is in the desired position and plumb, screws are normally driven through the door jamb, through the shims, and into the rough opening frame. The rough opening frame is normally constructed of 2″×4″ and/or 2″×6″ dimensional lumber and the door jamb is normally ½, ⅝, ¾, or 1″ thick material.

The lateral width of the door jamb is selected such that the transverse edgeof door jambaligns along the same plane as wall surfaceas shown in. This construction results in an air gapwhich is defined as the space in between the rough opening frameand the door jamb. In practice, this space is anywhere from ¾ inch to 1.25″ inch wide, depending upon the tolerance between the rough opening frameand the door jamband the thickness of the materials. The vertical portion of the rough opening frameis often referred to as jack studswhereas the horizontal portion of the rough opening frameis often referred to as the header. Prepared door frameis finished off by attaching wall boardto the rough frame abutting stud edgeof jack studas shown in. In this manner, transverse edgeof door jamblies in the same plane as wall surface.

It is notable that Air Communicating Trim Mouldingand Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Mouldingare capable of being installed as a casing, or more specifically as a door casing as shown as, and/or as a baseboard.

Inthe vertical direction and the longitudinal direction are denotedfor the vertically oriented portions and the horizontal direction is denoted the transverse direction.

which is a cross section taken along section line-in, and shows in cross section an Air Communicating Trim Mouldingwhich in this case is the door casingdeployed onto a prepared door framewhich in this diagram includes door jamb, jack stud, and wall boardswhich have a wall surface.

Referring additionally to, all of which show Air Communicating Trim Moulding. Referring first to isometricwhich show the top sideinin and the bottom sidein. Air Communicating Trim Mouldingincludes left edge, right edge, top side, bottom side, and width. Trim molding is generally sold in preselected longitudinal lengths along the longitudinal directionand often are sold in random lengths. The bottom sideof Air Communicating Trim Mouldingdefines air passagewaywhich allows movement of air along the bottom sideof Air Communicating Trim Mouldingas shown. Protrusionshaving a contact surfacestand-off intermediate surfacefrom bottom surfacethereby creating an edge opening. The edge openingsallow for communication of air along air passagewaysince intermediate surfaceis spaced from bottom surface.

Edge openingsare air communicating openings defined in at least one edge,of the trim molding, such that air is communicated into or out of the air passageways through the edge openings to or from the exterior air. The edge openingsallow exterior airto be communicated to the air passagewayswhich in turn communicate airto the air gap. Exterior airis air that is not within air passageways, air gapand edge openingsor within the continuous air conduit.

Air Communicating Trim Mouldingincludes top surface, bottom surfaceand spaced there between an intermediate surface. Air passagewayis defined as the space between the intermediate surfaceand the bottom surface. Contact surfacesare preferably coextensive with bottom surfaceand are preferably adapted to maintain space between the bottom surfaceand the intermediate surfacethereby providing flow of airalong air passageway.

Preferably bottom surfaceis a planar surface however there may be applications where this in not the case. Similarly, and preferably intermediate surfaceis a planar surface extending parallel to and spaced from the bottom surface, however this is not necessarily always the case. For example intermediate surfacemay in fact be multiple stepped surfaces at different spacings between top surfaceand bottom surface.

shows bottom side, airand air flowdesignated by lines and arrows which schematically depict the movement of airthrough air passageway. The Air Communicating Trim Mouldingis supported on contact surfaces. Additionally in, one can see the edge openingswhich are also visible in. In practice there may be edge openingson only one edge of the Air Communicating Trim Moulding. For example, the left edgemay abut up against a nearby wall thereby allowing for airflow only through right edgein which case it may be preferable to have edge openingson only one edge.

Referring now to, Air Communicating Trim Mouldingis shown in schematic fashion with air passagewayshown as a gap between the contact surfaceand the intermediate surface.

Referring now to, the contact surfaceproximate the right edgeabuts against the transverse edgeof the door jamb. The contact surfaceproximate the right edgeof the Air Communicating Trim Mouldingabuts against the wall surfaceof wall board. Preferably the transverse edgeand the wall surfaceare parallel and co-extensive and therefore the Air Communicating Trim Mouldingshould lay flat with the contact surfacesmaking abutting contact as in the drawing.

Referring to, the reader will note that there are depicted in cross section two Air Communicating Trim Mouldings, one located on the exterior sideof the prepared door frameand another located on the interior sideof the prepared door frame. In practice, door casings are usually installed in this manner in current building construction methods.

Airis communicated from the exterior sidethrough edge openingsand through air passagewayto provide airflowon through air gapwhich is the gap between the jack studand the door jamband aircontinues to flow through air passagewayon the interior sideout through the edge openinginto the interior side of the prepared door frame. In this way, one can communicate air back and forth from the exterior sideto the interior sideof a door without opening the door or moving the door and also from the interior sideto the exterior sideof a door without opening or closing the door thereby equalizing air pressure and promoting air movement between an exterior sideand interior sideof a prepared door frame. The arrows inshow the movement of airflowwhich produce a continuous air conduitbetween the exterior sideand the interior side.

The Air Communicating Trim Mouldingdepicted inis a door casingwhich in addition to normal door casings, not only provides for covering of the rough opening of prepared door frame, but also provides for a continuous air conduitbetween the interior sideand the exterior side, the continuous air conduitincludes an air passagewayalong the trim moldings on both the interior and exterior sides and along air gap. The trim molding in this example is door casing. This could also be applied to window casings, casings in general and baseboards.

Referring to, the air passagewayand the edge openingscan take on any number of shapes and provide for communication of air. The reader will note that the contact surfacesand edge openingscan take on many different locations, shapes and sizes depending upon the amount of airflowand the desired look that the manufacturer requires for a particular application.

Referring now to, which all depict Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Moulding. Note that the air communication that is provided for by Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Mouldingin analogous fashion to the air communication as shown and depicted and described above for Air Communicating Trim Moulding. The reader will note, from the diagrams, the analogous movement of airprovided for by Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Moulding.

Referring first to, Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Mouldingincludes a longitudinal left portion, longitudinal right portioneach extends along longitudinal length. Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Mouldingis usually supplied in random longitudinal lengths. Left portionand right portionare connected together via a connecting elementwhich is preferably a planer elementwhich is slidably received into a left groovein left portionand into right grooveof right portionsuch that by selectively inserting the connecting elementinto left grooveand right groove, one can select the overall widthof Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Moulding. Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Moldingalso includes left edge, right edge, edge openings, top side, and bottom sidewhich has air passagewaysand contact surfaces. Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Mouldingincludes overall widthand transverse direction.

Protrusions, having a contact surface, stand-off intermediate surfaceand connecting element bottom surfacefrom bottom surfacethereby creating an edge opening. The edge openingsallow for communication of air along air passagewaysince intermediate surfaceis spaced from bottom surfaceand connecting element surface.

Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Mouldingincludes top surface, bottom surfaceand spaced there between an intermediate surfaceand connecting element bottom surface. Air passagewayis defined as the space between the intermediate surfaceand connecting element bottom surfaceand the bottom surface. Contact surfacesare preferably coextensive with bottom surfaceand are preferably adapted to maintain space between the bottom surfacethe intermediate surfaceand connecting element bottom surfacethereby providing flow of airalong air passageway.

Preferably bottom surfaceis a planar surface however there may be applications where this in not the case. For example bottom surfacemay be a landing point or an undulating surface. Similarly, and preferably intermediate surfaceand connecting element bottom surfaceis preferably a planar surface extending parallel to and spaced from the bottom surface, however it is not necessarily always the case that the surfaces are planar.

Referring now to, the planer elementis shown almost completely inserted into left grooveand right grooveinsuch that the left portionand the right portionmake contact which therefore defines the minimum widthwhich the Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Mouldingcan provide. The grooves have a transverse depth. The drawing also shows air passageways, connecting elementand edge openings.

shows in cross section, as in, the Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Mouldingwhere in the planer elementis minimally inserted into left grooveof left portionand minimally inserted into right grooveof right portion, thereby providing for a practical maximum width for Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Moulding. The drawing also shows bottom surfaceand intermediate surface. The reader will note that it is not necessary to have two grooves,as depicted. One could have only one groove as shown in. Alternately the connecting element may be rigidly fastened in place in one of the portions, ortherefore allowing adjustability with the spacing of the other portion. Additionally, the size of the left and right portions,and specifically the widths of the portions may be different from each other. In practice it seems fastening one side of the connecting elementor having a rigid tongue as shown inis preferable.

shows the placement of an ornamental mouldingin the gap between the left portionand the right portionwhich is placed onto top surfaceof planer element. The ornamental mouldingis normally sized to take up the gap between the left portionand the right portionhowever this is due to aesthetic considerations.

Referring towhich shows Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Mouldingdeployed onto a prepared door framein an installed position. The air communication takes place in analogous fashion as infor the Air Communicating Trim Moulding. Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Mouldinghas the following components: jack stud, wall board, door jamb, air gap, wall surfacehaving a transverse directionand a lateral directionwherein the major difference between that shown inandis that rather than Air Communicating Trim Mouldingsinstalled on the interior sideand exterior side, we have Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Mouldingsinstalled on the interior sideand the exterior sidewhich provides for the communication of airthrough the air passagewaywhich provides for a continuous air conduitallowing the exchange of air between the exterior sideand interior sideanalogously as that shown in. In this case, Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Mouldingincludes a left portion, a connecting element, and a right portionfor adjustability of the width. Contact surfaceabuts with transverse edgeas shown in, thereby providing for air communications through edge openingsof Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Moulding.

The width adjustment allows one to accommodate a variety of widths of casings that may be required to cover up the rough opening. In some instances, if an existing casing is removed from the door opening the replacement is usually width matched which can be easily accomplished using the Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Moulding.

Shown inis a door casinghaving an ornamental surfaceand a bottom surfacewhich lies adjacent and abuts to top sideof Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Moulding. In this way by having width adjustability one can adjust the width to match any other ornamental door casingone wishes to place on top of a flat or nearly flat surface of the top sideof Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Moulding.

Referring toWidth adjustable trimis shown in a simple rectangular geometry. Width adjustable trimincludes left portion, right portion, top side, bottom side, connecting element, left groove, right groove, and has a width. Groovesandhave a transverse depthand connecting elementis preferably a planar element. Width adjustable trimhas a transverse directionand a longitudinal direction not shown which is normal to the page. Width adjustable trimis analogous to Air Communicating Adjustable Width Trim Mouldingin terms of the width adjustability however Width adjustable trimdoes not have the air communication function. The reader will note that it is preferable to have planar elementto be rigidly attached by glueing for example to one of the portionsorand have the adjustability function limited to only one portion. Another example of this is depicted inwherein the connecting elementis a rigidly attached tongue to a left portion of the trim. In this case the tongue is integrally part of the left portion

Referring toWidth adjustable trimis shown in a simple rectangular geometry. Width adjustable trimincludes left portion, right portion, tongue, and groove. In this case tongueis integrally part of one of the portions in this example the left portionand the groove is only insertable the groovein other portion in this example the right portion. Adjustability in transverse directionis analogous to the previous examples.