Skirting For Below Dwelling

Abstract

An upper, generally U-shaped channel is formed from preshaped sections which are attached to the lower edge of vertical walls of a dwelling, such as a mobile home. A lower, generally U-shaped channel is secured to a surface, such as ground level, and is aligned with the upper channel so that the openings of the channels face each other. A plurality of preformed skirting panels are positioned between the spaced upper and lower channels with edge portions of the skirting panels located in the channels. The panels are fastened to the channels to provide a supported skirting for below a dwelling.

Parent Case Text

This is a continuation of application S. N. 60,326, filed Aug. 3, 1970, and now abandoned.

Description

This invention relates generally to building structure, and more particularly it pertains to skirting for enclosing the crawl space beneath dwellings, especially those of the house trailer type.

Numerous types of dwellings, particularly those of the house trailer type, are positioned normally above ground level and thereby leave a considerable open crawl space between the underside thereof and the ground. It is desirable to enclose the crawl space with an attractive and serviceable skirting which is rattle free and easy to install.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a skirting for dwellings which is supported between the dwelling and a lower surface such as ground.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a skirting for dwellings which is easy to install and is free from rattles.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a skirting arrangement for the area below a dwelling wherein edge portions of the skirting are supported within spaced supports.

Another object of this invention is to provide a supporting arrangement for skirting in the below area of a dwelling where a first support is attached to the dwelling and a second support is aligned with and spaced from the first support and is supported in a position detached from the dwelling.

A further object of this invention is to provide a skirting arrangement for a dwelling wherein bottom edges of skirting panels can be modified to accommodate nonparallel openings with respect to the slope of the ground.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a skirting arrangement for a dwelling wherein skirting panels are individually and easily removable to permit access to the underside of the dwelling for various needs such as connecting or servicing facilities for the dwelling.

Another object of this invention is to provide a skirting arrangement for a dwelling wherein skirting panels are permitted to move vertically within a mounted arrangement in allowance for changes in the spacing between the skirted portion of the dwelling and the ground due to, for example, frost heave and settling.

Other objects and attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent and understood from the following detailed specification and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a house trailer having skirting embodying features of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1 of assembled sections of a skirting;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view with parts broken away of an assembled skirting and supports therefor;

FIG. 4 is a perspective of corner features of the assembled skirting; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing spaced supports with skirting assembled therewith.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a dwelling 10, such as a house trailer, has a skirting 12 formed around the base thereof. The underside of the dwelling 10 is normally positioned some distance from ground level to form a crawl space therebetween. It is most desirable to enclose this crawl space with a decorative and serviceable covering such as the skirting 12.

In order to support the skirting 12, a sturdy means is required. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the sturdy means includes an assembly of an upper channel 14. A plurality of fasteners 16 are used to fasten a preformed longitudinal member 18 to the lower longitudinal edges of the dwelling 10. An ideal spacing between the fasteners 16 is 2 feet. The member 18 is formed with an upper flange 20, a web 22 and a lower flange 24 wherein the web extends between and is formed integrally with the upper and lower flanges. A flanged lip 26 is formed along the other longitudinal edge of the upper flange 20.

A back plate 28 is positioned longitudinally behind the member 18 with the upper edge of the back plate being inserted into a longitudinal groove formed by the inner walls of the upper flange 20 and the flanged lip 26. The fasteners 16 are also inserted through openings formed in the back plate 28 to firmly secure sections of the member 18 and the back plate around the lower edge of the dwelling 10.

The back plate 28 is formed with a slight longitudinal "break" or bend 30 so that the portion of the plate below the bend is angled slightly outwardly from the vertical plane of the outer vertical walls of the dwelling 10 and toward the lower edge of the member 18. The bend 30 formed in the back plate 28 biases the skirting 12 into the flange 24 of the member 18 so that the skirting is mounted firmly in place thereby precluding the possible rattling of the skirting in the mounted position.

The member 18 and the back plate 28 combine to form the assembly of the generally U-shaped channel 14 having a front side, a back side and a base. The front side of the channel 14 is formed by the lower flange 24, the back side is formed by the back plate 28 and the base is formed by the web 22. It is noted that the back side of the channel 14, that is the back plate 28, extends for a greater distance from the base of the channel than does the front side, that is the lower flange 24.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the support means further includes a lower channel 32 which is generally of a U-shaped configuration with an inner or back leg 34 being formed integrally with a web 36 and a forward leg. The front leg and the back leg 34 of the channel 32 form sides of the channel and the web 36 forms a base of the channel. The back leg 34 or side of the channel 32 extends a greater distance from the base or web 36, than the front leg or side.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, a plurality of holes 38 are formed in the web 36 of the channel 32 and provide a drainage facility to prevent accumulation of moisture in the base of the channel. The holes 38 also provide a feature for fastening the channel 32 as will be explained hereinafter.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the channel 32 is positioned on a surface such as the ground so that the openings of the channels 14 and 32 are aligned and facing each other.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the skirting 12 includes a plurality of panels 40 which are composed of a suitable metal, such as aluminum, and are pretreated in a protective and decorative manner. Each panel 40 includes outer flanges 42 formed along opposite vertical sides thereof and which are formed integrally with webs 44. The webs 44 are formed integrally with a center section of the panel 40. The webs 44 are tilted in the manufacture of the panels 40 to permit complementary nesting of the panels during stacking thereof for ultimate shipment.

In assembly of the panels 40 with the upper and lower channels 14 and 32, the upper edge of one panel 40 is pressed against the lower edge of the back plate 28 to deflect the plate slightly away from the lower edge of the member 18. This provides an opening between the lower edges of the plate 28 and the member 18 which is of a sufficient size to permit the upper edge of the panel 40 to be moved upwardly into the channel-like opening formed between the plate and the member.

The lower edge of the panel 40 is then moved inwardly against the upper, inner edge of the back leg 34, or side, of the lower channel 32. The panel 40 is then moved downwardly until the lower edge of the panel rests on the web 36 of the channel 32. It is noted that the spacing between the channels 14 and 32 is sufficient to retain both the upper and lower edges, respectively, of the panel 40 after the panel has been nested into the last mentioned position.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the panels 40 are assembled in a juxtaposed relation with the flanges 42 of adjacent panels overlapping. Every other panel 40 has its flanges 42 in engagement with the back leg 34 of the lower channel 32. The remaining panels 40 have their flanges 42 in overlapping engagement with the flanges of adjacent panels. Therefore, the spacing between the webs 44 of adjacent panels 40 is substantially equal to the width of the flange 42.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, an upper fastener 46 is positioned within aligned openings formed in portions of the overlapping flanges 42 of adjacent panels 40 and in the back plate 28 to fasten the panels to the back plate. Ideally, one of the fasteners 46 should be placed in every fifth panel 40. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a lower fastener 48 is positioned through openings formed in portions of the overlapping flanges 42 of adjacent panels 40 and through an aligned opening formed in the back leg 34 of the lower channel 32 to fasten the panels to the lower channel. The spacing between the fasteners 48 should coincide with the spacing of the fasteners 46.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the skirting 12 quite obviously changes direction at the corners of the dwelling 10. In order to dress and secure these corners in place, a corner angle 84 with doubled or folded edges 86 has its upper end inserted upwardly into the channel openings formed by the member 18 and the back plate 28 of the two, corner-joining channels 14 in a manner similar to the insertion of the upper edges of the panels 40 therein. The lower edge of the corner angle 84 is then lowered into the lower corner-joining channels 32. A corner cap 88 is then positioned over the ends of the corner-joining channels 14 and is secured there by a fastener 90.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, an aluminum spike or nail 92 is driven through selected openings 38 in the web 36 of the lower channels 32 and into the ground to firmly secure the lower channel in the position which is spaced from and aligned with the upper channel 14 with the openings of the channels facing each other. This securing operation is completed prior to assembly of the skirting 12 with the channels 14 and 32.

It is noted that the panels 40 of a particular dwelling 10 can be of different dimensions in the vertical direction to accommodate a varying spacing between the lower horizontal edge of the dwelling and a nonparallel, varying slope of the ground immediately below the horizontal edge of the dwelling. Further, the panels 40 are individually and easily removed of access to the crawl space beneath the dwelling 10 is required. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, every other panel 40 is assembled in the skirting 12 so that flanges 42 thereof overlap flanges of the adjacent panel and face outwardly. These panels 40 can be removed initially and then the remaining panels can be removed.

The top of each panel 40 could be assembled within the upper U-shaped channel 14 without securing the panel thereto. The upper edge of the panel 40 would then assume a position within the channel 14 as illustrated in FIG. 5 with considerable free space within the channel and above the upper edge of the panel. When the spacing between the lower horizontal edge of the dwelling 10 and the ground varies due to weather conditions, such as frost heave, or because of settling of the dwelling, the upper edge of the panels 40 are permitted to move relatively vertically within the free space and within the lower portions of the opening to allow for this variation.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A skirting arrangement for a house trailer and the like, comprising:

a first support means attachable directly to a house trailer, said first support means including a first preformed member attachable to an edge portion of a vertical wall of said house trailer, and a second preformed member having a portion thereof nested into an accommodating structure formed in the first preformed member so that said first and second preformed members form substantially opposed sides and a base of a channel, said second preformed member being formed with a bend so that the portion of said preformed member below said bend is angled slightly outwardly from the vertical plane of the outer vertical wall of said house trailer and toward the lower edge of said first preformed member, said second preformed member being attachable to the edge portion of said house trailer with said first preformed member;

a second support means attached to a surface other than said house trailer including a generally U-shaped channel having a high back side and a relatively short front side formed integrally with a joining web, the first and second support means being spaced from each other and formed with opposing openings;

a skirting including a plurality of vertically arranged panels extending between and having opposite ends inserted into the spaced opposed openings of the first and second support means for support thereby, each said panel having a center section with an integral web on the opposite sides and running lengthwise thereof, the webs for each said center section of its respective panel extending divergently outwardly therefrom, with the webs of each panel terminating in integral coplanar flanges arranged parallel to their respective center section, said panels being arranged in a juxtaposed relationship, with the flanges of adjacent panels overlapping, with every other panel having its flanges in engagement with the high back side of said channel of said second support means, and the remaining panels having their flanges in overlapping engagement with the flanges of adjacent panels so that the spacing between the webs of the adjacent panels is substantially equal to the width of the flange, with the upper ends of said panels of said skirting being positioned within the channel formed by said first and second preformed members, the biased portion of said second preformed member urging the upper ends of said panels of said skirting into engagement with the adjacent channel side formed by the first preformed member to preclude rattling of said panel in the assembled position;

a corner angle member positioned over the edge portions of the skirting and having an upper end positioned within the channel formed by said first support means and a lower end positioned within the channel formed by said second support means, said upper and lower ends of said corner angle member being positioned within the respective portions of said first and second support means, respectively, so that said corner angle member is held to permit an intermediate portion thereof to cover adjacent edge portions of the skirting; and,

a corner cap member positioned over corner portions of said first support means, and means for securing said corner cap member to said first support means.

2. A skirting arrangement for a house trailer and the like as recited in claim 1, wherein the side of said channel formed by said second preformed member has its outer edge spaced a greater distance from the base of said channel than the outer edge of the other side of said channel to provide a substantial backing support to which the upper ends of said panels of said skirting can be attached.

3. A skirting for a house trailer and the like as recited in claim 1, wherein the high back side of said U-shaped channel of said second support means provides a substantial backing support to which the lower ends of said panels of said skirting can be attached.

4. A skirting arrangement for a house trailer and the like as recited in claim 1, wherein said U-shaped channel of said second support means is attached to a surface such as ground by a plurality of metal spikes.

5. A skirting arrangement for a house trailer and the like as recited in claim 1, wherein the upper ends of the panels of said skirting are in a mounted position between said upper and lower channels to allow for changes in spacing between the edge of said house trailer and a rigid surface after said skirting is assembled with said house trailer.