Decorative skirting panel system

• US 4,241,554 A
• Filed: 09/06/1978
• Issued: 12/30/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: KOOL Foam Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: KOOL Foam Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Infantino, Dick S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ridgill, Jr., James L.
• Application Number:
  US05/940,059
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 52/309.1, 52/314, 52/DIG. 3, 52/309.4, 52/593
• US Class Current: 52/314
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2/30 characterised by the shape or structure translucent E04C2/54
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 52/03 Trailer or mobile home skirt

Abstract

A decorative skirting panel system for mobile homes and the like is formed with adjacent panels having a vertically slidable side edge interlock wherein a particular panel may be easily removed for replacement, repair, or access without detachment of adjacent panels. The panel is preferably formed of expanded polystyrene foam and is provided with an exterior surface simulating masonry such as brick, stone, tile or other such construction material. The side edge interlock is of a V-shaped tongue-and-groove construction. This configuration provides a minimum surface area for a given width and depth of tongue and groove, thereby reducing friction and facilitating the removal or insertion of a panel by vertical sliding movement. The V-shaped tongue and groove is especially well suited to this application since it is not prone to binding in the case of dimensional inhomogeneities and the like. The foam from which the panels are constructed is of a sufficient density to provide smooth mating surfaces of the tongue and groove, thereby further facilitating the sliding movement.

Claims

1. In a decorative skirting system for installation along a side of a mobile home which is supported above the ground, the skirting system adapted to overlie and be held to the exterior surface of the lower portion of the mobile home sidewall and extend downwardly therefrom to the ground, the system comprising a generally coplanar plurality of panels of expanded polystyrene foam, each panel being formed with an array of rectangular projections stimulating masonry material, the improvement wherein:

each panel has uninterrupted first and second vertical side edges extending to the ground, with a V-shaped tongue extending the entire length of the first side edge, and a correspondingly configured V-shaped groove extending the entire length of the second side edge, the tongue of one panel engaging the groove of an adjacent panel to maintain the panels in a coplanar relationship, the V-shaped tongue and groove having a common specified width and depth necessary to maintain the coplanar relationship,

the uninterrupted vertical side edges permitting an individual panel to be slidably disengaged from adjacent panels without disturbing the adjacent panels by detaching the top of the panel from the mobile home sidewall and sliding the panel vertically upward a distance at least that of the height of the panel,

the V-shaped configuration of the tongue and groove providing a minimum surface area between an engaged tongue and groove for the specified width and depth and preventing binding arising from dimensional inhomogeneities, thereby facilitating the slidable disengagement; and

the rectangular projections are aligned in vertical columns with simulated mortar lines therebetween, such that the boundary between adjacent panels falls within a simulated mortar line and is thereby disguised.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the foam has a sufficient density to provide a substantially smooth surface on the V-shaped tongue and groove.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein the foam has a density of about 2.5 pounds per cubic foot.

4. In a decorative skirting system for installation along a side of a mobile home which is supported above the ground, the skirting system adapted to be held to the lower portion of the mobile home and extend downwardly therefrom to the ground, the system comprising a generally coplanar plurality of panels of expanded polystyrene foam, each panel being formed with an array to rectangular projections simulating masonry material, the improvement wherein:

each panel has uninterrupted first and second vertical side edges extending substantially the entire height thereof, the first edge having a V-shaped tongue, and the second edge having a correspondingly configured V-shaped groove, the tongue of one panel engaging the groove of an adjacent panel to maintain the panels in a coplanar relationship, the V-shaped tongue and groove having a common specified width and depth necessary to maintain the coplanar relationship, with the V-shaped configuration of the tongue-and-groove providing a minimum surface area in contact between an engaged tongue and groove for the specified width and depth;

the rectangular projections are aligned in vertical columns with simulated mortar lines therebetween, the boundary between adjacent panels falling within a simulated mortar line and being thereby disguised; and

the foam is of a sufficient density that the surface of the V-shaped tongue and groove is substantially smooth;

the individual vertical side edges permitting an individual panel to be slidably disengaged from adjacent panels by sliding the panel vertically upward a distance at least that of the panel height with the vertical slidable disengagement being facilitated by the minimum surface area between engaged tongue and groove and the smooth surface area provided by the foam density.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the foam has a density greater than 2 pounds per cubic foot.