BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a counter corner system that allows the joinder of two standard counter tops at a corner.

[0003] 2. Background of the Prior Art

[0004] In order to join two counter tops at a corner, one counter top must be positioned such that its end abuts a side of the second counter top, the end of this second counter top abutting the wall whereat the installation is being performed. While this method of corner joinder is adequate, it is not suitable for counter tops that have a bullnose shaped portion extending from the bottom surface of the counter tops. The bullnose shaped portion of the second counter top will sit on top of the counter to which it is to be attached. Even if the counter top is notched in order to accommodate this bullnose shaped portion, the meeting of the bullnose shaped portion of the first countertop with the bullnose shaped portion of the second countertop will not be correct.

[0005] In order to overcome the above problems, the two countertops are notched or mitered in order to effect a proper joinder. The problem with this technique is that it wastes material, it is labor intensive, and it requires expensive machinery and equipment to manufacture the joint resulting in higher fabrication costs. Additionally, the skill level needed to perform the task is higher and if the notching or mitering is not performed correctly, an aesthetic joinder of the two countertops will not be effected.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a device that will allow two standard countertops to be joined at a corner that does not require extensive notching or mitering of either of the countertops and that results in an aesthetic joinder of the two countertops. Such a device should be relatively simple in design and construction and must be relatively simple to install.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The counter corner system of the present invention addresses the aforementioned needs in the art. The system allows two standard countertops to be joined at a corner without the need to notch or miter either of the countertops or the underlying counter. The system, which is of relatively simple design and construction, achieves an aesthetically pleasing joinder of the countertops. Installation of the counter corner system is relatively simple and straight forward. The counter corner system is ideally suited for use with materials such as solid granite countertops where field cutting of such materials is not easily achieved.

[0008] The counter corner system of the present invention is comprised of a first body member having a first top surface, a first bottom surface, a first side, a second side, a third side, a fourth side, and a notch located between the first side and the second side, the notch having a first edge that is disposed on a first plane and is oriented substantially parallel with the first side and a second edge that is disposed on a second plane and is oriented substantially parallel with the second side. A first bullnose shaped portion has a first leg that extends downwardly from the bottom surface beginning at the first edge and a second leg that extends downwardly from the bottom surface beginning at the second edge. The first body member and the bullnose shaped portion are monolithic in construction. The first side and the third side of the first body member are oriented substantially parallel to each other and the second side and the fourth side of the first body member are oriented substantially parallel with each other and perpendicular with the first side. A second body member—the first standard countertop—has a second top surface, a second bottom surface, a fifth side that abuts against the first side of the counter corner and a sixth side that lies on the first plane. A third body member—the second standard countertop—has a third top surface, a third bottom surface, a seventh side that abuts against the second side of the counter corner, and an eight side that lies on the second plane. A second bullnose shape portion extends downwardly from the second bottom surface of the second body member beginning at the sixth side and abuts the first leg of the first bullnose shaped portion while a third bullnose shape portion extends downwardly from the third bottom surface of the third body member beginning at the eight side and abuts the second leg of the first bullnose shaped portion. The first top surface, the second top surface and the third top surface may all lie on a third plane.