Building Skirting Base

Abstract

A mobile home skirting base comprising: a horizontal surface; and two substantially equal, substantially symmetrical vertical surfaces co-extruded with the horizontal surface forming a channel to insert a mobile home skirting panel wherein the vertical surfaces each having an inwardly oriented retention edge that secure the mobile home skirting panel. The height of the vertical surfaces and the inward orientation of the vertical surfaces' retention edges, along with the other aspects of the invention, allows the mobile home skirting base to provide strong support, stabilization, and protection of the skirting panels.

Claims

1. A mobile home skirting system comprising: a horizontal surface; a first vertical member affixed to said horizontal surface along a first edge of the first vertical member; a second vertical member affixed to said horizontal surface along a first edge of the second vertical member opposite the first vertical member thereby defining a channel between the first and second vertical members, wherein the horizontal surface extends outward from both sides of the channel to provide sufficient material for connection to a substrate and wherein the horizontal surface, the first vertical member and the second vertical member define a base; a first hook-shaped retention edge on a second edge of the first vertical member inwardly oriented toward the channel; and a second hook-shaped retention edge on a second edge of the second vertical member inwardly oriented toward the channel, wherein the first and second hooked shaped retention edges are configured to secure a vertical skirting panel through direct physical pressure exerted by said first and second vertical members.

2. The mobile home skirting system of claim 1, wherein the mobile home skirting base comprises a single extruded polymer.

3. The mobile home skirting system of claim 1, wherein a horizontal surface of the skirt base comprises a first lip adjacent the first vertical member and a second lip adjacent the second vertical member, each extending outward from the channel.

4. The mobile home skirting system of claim 1, wherein said system is attached to a substrate by at least one of a mechanical attachment or a chemical attachment.

5. The mobile home skirting system of claim 4, wherein said mechanical attachment is selected from the group consisting of: nails; screws; bolts; staples; and anchors.

6. The mobile home skirting system of claim 4, wherein said chemical attachment is selected from the group consisting of: glue, cement, and epoxy.

7. The mobile home skirting system of claim 1, wherein said system supports at least one of a bottom and a top of the skirting system.

8. The mobile home skirting system of claim 1 comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: wood; metal; fiberglass; and a polymer.

9. A mobile home skirting system, comprising: a base comprising a first horizontal surface adapted to be attached to a substrate on which a mobile home rests, said base including a first vertical member and a second vertical member, wherein a channel is defined between the first vertical member and second vertical member, the first and second vertical members having inwardly oriented hook-shaped retention edges forming an acute angle toward the channel and that each have a substantially rigid friction surface adapted to retain a vertical skirting panel; wherein the hook-shaped retention edges of the first and second vertical members are adapted to secure a vertical skirting panel through direct physical pressure exerted by said first and second vertical members.

10. The mobile home skirting system of claim 9, wherein the mobile home skirting base comprises a single extruded polymer.

11. The mobile home skirting system of claim 9, wherein one or more of the vertical members comprises an embossed design or pattern.

12. The mobile home skirting system of claim 9, wherein said system is attached to a substrate by at least one of mechanical attachment or chemical attachment.

13. The mobile home skirting system of claim 9, wherein said system supports at least one of a bottom and a top of the skirting system.

14. The mobile home skirting system of claim 9, comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: wood; metal; fiberglass; and a polymer.

15. A mobile home skirting system comprising: a horizontal surface a first vertical member affixed to said horizontal surface along a first edge of the first vertical member; a second vertical member affixed to said horizontal surface along a first edge of the second vertical member opposite the first vertical member thereby defining a channel between the first and second vertical members, wherein the horizontal surface extends outward from both sides of the channel to provide sufficient material for connection to a substrate and wherein the horizontal surface, the first vertical member and the second vertical member define a base; a first hook-shaped retention edge on a second edge of the first vertical member inwardly oriented toward the channel; and a second hook-shaped retention edge on a second edge of the second vertical member inwardly oriented toward the channel, and wherein the first and second hooked shaped retention edges are configured to secure a vertical skirting panel through direct physical pressure exerted by said first and second vertical members, and wherein said system is attached to a substrate by at least one of a mechanical attachment or a chemical attachment.

16. The mobile home skirting system as set forth in claim 15, wherein a horizontal surface of the skirt base comprises a first lip adjacent the first vertical member and a second lip adjacent the second vertical member, each extending outward from the channel.

17. The mobile home skirting system as set forth in claim 15, wherein a length of the first lip and a length of the second lip are no less than 20% of the height of the vertical members.

18. The mobile home skirting system of claim 15 wherein said base supports at least one of a bottom and a top of the skirting system.

19. The mobile home skirting system of claim 15 comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: wood; metal; fiberglass; and a polymer.

20. The mobile home skirting system of claim 15, wherein a horizontal surface of the skirt base comprises a first lip adjacent the first vertical member and a second lip adjacent the second vertical member, each extending outward from the channel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mobile home skirting base according to aspects of the present invention,

[0012] FIG. 2. is a perspective view of the mobile home skirting base including vertical supports according to aspects of the present invention

[0013] FIG. 3 Is a perspective view of the mobile home skirting base including horizontal members according to aspects of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-cut view of the mobile home skirting base according to aspects of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross-cut view of the mobile home skirting base including a vertical support according to aspects of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 6a is a truncated perspective view of the mobile home skirting base according to aspects of the present invention illustrating a nail as a mechanical attachment.

[0017] FIG. 6b is a truncated perspective view of the mobile home skirting base according to aspects of the present invention illustrating a screw as a mechanical attachment.

[0018] FIG. 6c is a truncated perspective view of the mobile home skirting base according to aspects of the present invention illustrating a bolt as a mechanical attachment.

[0019] FIG. 6d is a truncated perspective view of the mobile home skirting base according to aspects of the present invention illustrating a staple as a mechanical attachment.

[0020] FIG. 6e is a truncated perspective view of the mobile home skirting base according to aspects of the present invention illustrating an anchor as a mechanical attachment.

[0021] FIG. 7a is a view of the mobile home skirting base according to aspects of the present invention showing a pattern embossed on the surface of a vertical member.

[0022] FIG. 7b is a view of the mobile home skirting base according to aspects of the present invention showing a natural wood pattern embossed on the surface of a vertical member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] A detailed description of the embodiments for a mobile home skirting base device will now be presented with reference to FIGS. 1 through 7b. One of skill in the art will recognize that these embodiments are not intended to be limitations on the scope, and that modifications are possible without departing from the spirit thereof. In certain instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail.

[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 1-7b, a first embodiment of the invention is shown and generally referred to by reference numeral 10. The skirting base 10 comprises a horizontal surface 20 and a first vertical member 22 affixed to the horizontal surface 20 at a first end 32 of the first vertical member 22. The skirting base 10 further comprises a second vertical member 24 affixed to said horizontal surface 20 at a first end 34 of the second vertical member 22 opposite the first vertical member 22 thereby defining a channel 30 between the first vertical member 22 and second vertical member 24.

[0025] According to aspects of the present invention, the height of the first vertical member 22 and the second vertical member 24 are substantially similar. In addition, the dimension of the height (H) of the first vertical member 22 and the second vertical member 24 is substantially similar to the horizontal members of the mobile home skirting 50, 52 to provide a more uniform appearance of the skirting in general.

[0026] On a second end 42 of the first vertical member 22, a hook-shaped retention edge 46 is inwardly oriented toward the channel 30 at an acute angle to provide a substantially rigid friction surface to retain vertical skirting supports and panels 60, 62, 64.

[0027] On a second end 44 of the second vertical member 24, a hook-shaped retention edge 48 is inwardly oriented toward the channel 30 at an acute angle to provide a substantially rigid friction surface to retain vertical skirting supports and panels 60, 62, 64.

[0028] The hook-shaped retention edges 46, 48 of the vertical members 22, 24 secure vertical skirting supports 60, 62, 64 through direct physical pressure and friction rather than by mechanical means, such as for example, a screw. Although, mechanical means may be utilized to provide additional structural integrity.

[0029] The skirting base 10 provides strong support, stabilization, and protection of the vertical skirting supports 60, 62, 64 because the retention edges 46, 48 are hook shaped, inward facing, and in dose proximity to one other. Moreover, substantially similar height of the vertical members 22, 24 provide additional friction by the resistance that each retention edge 46, 48 places in the direction of the other retention edge 48, 46.

[0030] The height (H) of the first vertical member 22 and second vertical member 24 differs from prior art skirt bases inasmuch as prior art skirt bases have opposing vertical members that are not the substantially similar in size, do not have inward facing retention edges, and are not substantially similar in size to the height of the horizontal skirting members 50, 52.

[0031] The horizontal surface 20 of the skirt base 10 can comprise a first lip 26 adjacent the first vertical member 22 and a second lip 28 adjacent the second vertical member 24, each extending outward from the channel to provide sufficient material to enhance the stability of the skirt base 10 or to allow for physical connection of the to a substrate. The length (L1) of the first Up 26 and the length (L2) of the second lip 28, can vary depending on the particular need or application.

[0032] As contemplated herein, the length (L1) of the first lip 26 and the length (L2) of the second lip 28 are no less than 20% of the height (H) of the vertical members 22, 24. This results in base 10 having a first lip 26 and a second lip 28 approximately 3 or 4 times larger than existing solutions, The result is additional stability due to the increased contact with the substrate.

[0033] An additional benefit from the increase in the size of the first lip 26 and a second lip 28, is that the longer lip surfaces assist in preventing vegetation, such as grass, weeds, or plants from growing immediately adjacent the vertical surface of the skirting assembly and allows lawn maintenance implements, such as lawn mowers, edgers, weed eaters, and the like to be used near the skirting assembly without having to be too close to the skirting assembly and possibly causing accidental damage.

[0034] The skirting base 10 can be affixed to a substrate by mechanical means such as nails, screws, bolts, anchors and the like. The skirting base 10 can also be affixed to a substrate by chemical means such as glue, cement, adhesive, epoxy or any combination thereof. The skirting base 10 can be used as a support on both the bottom of a skirting assembly (not shown) and at the top of a skirting assembly (not shown).

[0035] The increased and substantially similar height of the vertical members 22, 24 of the skirting base 10 not only provide a better bite by way of the inward facing retention edges, but allow for maintenance in and around the skirting, such as, for example, weed-eating and other landscaping activities that may otherwise cause displacement of a vertical skirting support upon contact due to lowered or asymmetrical vertical member heights.

[0036] In alternate embodiments, the mobile home skirting base can be alternatively configured for differing needs. By way of example, the length (L1) of the first lip 26 and the length (L2) of the second lip 28 can be identical or the length (L1) of the first lip 26 can be greater than the length (L2} of the second lip 28.

[0037] In additional embodiments, the skirting base 10 and skirting assembly can be configured to operate as an aesthetic repair for previously installed and damaged skirting.

[0038] The skirting base 10 can be manufactured from vinyl wood, metal, fiberglass, polymer, or any combination thereof. The skirting base 10 can be molded, folded, milled, welded, extruded or any combination thereof. In addition, one or more of the vertical members 22, 24 of the skirting base 10 can be embossed with a design or pattern, such as, for example, a pattern that emulates natural wood. According to aspects of the present invention, extrusion of polymer material is the preferred method of manufacture.

[0039] Having now described the invention, the construction, the operation and use of preferred embodiments thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby, the new and useful constructions, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth In the appended claims.