WO1991002868A1

WO1991002868A1 - House trim panels for use with siding

Info

Publication number: WO1991002868A1
Application number: PCT/US1990/004628
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carl Anderson
Original assignee: Carl Anderson
Priority date: 1989-08-16
Filing date: 1990-08-16
Publication date: 1991-03-07

Abstract

A house trim for covering siding (12) located adjacent window and door casings or house corners comprising an elongated L-shaped facing strip (30) which may be placed over the siding ends and nailed to the house along at least one longitudinal edge region (48). A C-shaped hem strip (32) integrally or separately supported along this edge so as to cover the nails with at least one leg of the hem strip adapted to be snapped into tight frictional engagement with the outer side of a longitudinal flange (50) of the facing strip located in parallel spaced relations to this edge.

Description

HOUSE TRIM PANELS FOR USE WITH SIDING

The present invention relates to house trim panels for use with siding, and more particularly to window, door and corner trim panels for use in conjunction with the siding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Siding is used on houses to protect the exterior of the house and may typically be made of wood, aluminum or vinyl material. When the exterior of a house is initially made of wood, it may later also be covered with aluminum or vinyl siding secured to the wood. Trim panels are required at windows, doors and corners of the house to cover and protec the ends of the siding at these locations.

House trim panels for use with siding have been dis¬ closed by applicant in U.S. Patent 4,389,824 and in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 333,461 , filed April 5, 1989.

The trim panels disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,389,824 comprise a receiving strip which is attached to an inner side wall of a window or door casing, and an L-shaped facin strip which is fitted around the casing front corner and over the siding ends. The receiving strip has a folded receiving slot which receives and holds the rear edge regio of one leg of the facing strip along the inner casing wall and biases the other leg of the facing strip against the external siding wall.

In the U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 333,461, there is disclosed a similar receiving strip and facing strip combination in which the receiving strip may be attached to the front exterior casing wall rather than the inner side casing wall, thereby facilitating the nailing of the receiving strip and permitting its use where the window or door is mounted flush with the front wall. The outer he region of the facing strip overlying the siding is also folded outwardly into an integral decorative hem trim strip and is secured against the siding by L-shaped hooks previously screwed into the house and thereafter inserted and turned to snap lock within the folds of this integral hem strip.

The use of such an integrally molded decorative hem strip also creates unattractive joints at the corners of the windows or doors which are ordinarily covered by corner caps. These corner caps are also snap locked in place by such L-hooks.

However, although this decorative hem construction both improves the appearance of the strip panels and results in a stronger and more permanent installation, the use of pre- screwed L-hooks inserted and turned within the folds of the hem strip is quite time consuming and sometimes causes registration problems. In addition, it is difficult to consistently produce a tight water-shedding engagement of the facing strip hem against the siding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to pro¬ vide house trim panels with facing strips having decorative forwardly raised hem strips that overlie the siding and may be quickly and easily mounted and installed in water- shedding tight engagement with the siding.

Another object of the invention is to provide house trim facing strips having decorative outer edge hem strips which may be mounted by direct nailing through the siding into the house from the front thereof, but with the nails concealed from view. A further object of the invention is to provide house trim facing strips having decorative hem strips that may be pre-cut to fit casings or corners of different sizes, and which may be quickly and easily mounted over the siding ends.

A still further object to the invention is to provide a house trim facing strip that may be directly nailed along its outer edge from the front thereof and which integrally supports a decorative hem strip which conceals the nails.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide corner caps for house trim facing strips having decorative hem strips in which the corner caps may be secured in place without further hooks or nails.

In accord with the invention, a house trim panel for use with siding is provided which comprises an elongated facing strip of substantially L-shaped configuration with one elongated edge region having a flange extending in closely spaced relation to the edge thereof and having open¬ ings therein between this flange and the edge. The facing strip may be mounted against a corner of a window or door, or corner of the house, in a manner overlying the siding, and then fastened against the house through these openings. An elongated decorative hem strip of substantially C-shaped_^ configuration is also provided which may be formed integral with the facing strip or as a separate member. Means are provided along the elongated edge of the facing strip for supporting one leg of this C-shaped hem strip, and the strip is dimensioned so that the other leg of the strip fits snugly over and against the outer opposite side of the flange, whereby the hem strip may be maintained in place as a snap fit overlying and concealing the fastening means.

If the decorative C-shaped hem strip is formed integral with the facing strip, a pivotal junction is formed between the elongated edge of the facing panel and the elongated edge of one leg of the C-shaped hem strip. This pivotal junction may conveniently comprise a simple lineal indenta¬ tion in the facing strip providing a thinned-down groove or hinge along which the C-shaped hem strip may be pivoted. In this embodiment, the facing strip and the decorative hem strip may be formed from a single panel of uniform thickness which is bent into the desired L-shaped and C-shaped config¬ urations, and the linear indentation is merely stamped therein.

If the C-shaped hem strip comprises a separate member, the facing strip is provided with an additional supporting flange along the elongated edge thereof. The hem strip is dimensioned to fit snugly over and clamp against the outer opposite sides of the two flanges, which have sufficient re¬ silience and outward bias to maintain the hem strip firmly in place.

In various specific embodiments of the invention, the sides of the facing strip flanges and hem strip legs have complimentary concave, convex or interleaving shapes to facilitate and insure firm snap-on action therebetween.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The novel features believed characteristic of the in¬ vention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of a window incorpo¬ rating the house trim panels embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the receiving strip, facing strip and hem strip in accord with one embodi¬ ment of the invention. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of a house corner trim panel embodying the invention.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a window fac¬ ing strip and hem strip in accord with another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a window fac ing strip and hem strip in accord with a further embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view, partially exploded, of a corner trim panel in accord with the embodiment of the in¬ vention also shown in Fig. 7,

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a window facing strip with an integral pivotal hem strip in accord with a still further embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a corner trim panel i accord with the embodiment of the invention also shown in Fig. 9,

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11- 11 of Fig. 10 showing the pivotal action of the integral he strip.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of another version of th integral pivotal hem construction of the invention, and

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 12 as applied to a separate hem strip.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown a house sectio 10 on which there have been placed panels of siding 12, typ ically made of aluminum or vinyl or other suitable material A window, 14, has its casing trimmed with side trimming pan els 16, 18, and upper trimming panel 20 in accord with the present invention. Corner caps 22, 24 cover the adjacent cut or mitered corners of the side and upper trim panels, and a sill cover 26 completes the window trim. While the invention is shown embodied in a window trim, Fig. 1, it may also be applicable to door trim or other locations of the house having exposed corners.

As best seen in Figs. 2 and 3, each side and upper panel is comprised of two sections, an elongated receiving strip 28 into which is inserted an elongated facing strip 30, which carries a C-shaped hem strip 32 along its elon¬ gated outer edge region. Receiving strip 28 and facing strip 30 each have an L-shaped transverse configuration adapted to fit over the inner corner of the window casing in interlocking relation with one another. The front leg 34 of receiving strip 28 has longitudinally spaced oblong holes 36 through which the receiving strip 28 may be fastened to the front wall of the window casing. The rear leg 38 of receiv¬ ing strip 28 covers the inner side wall of the casing and contains a longitudinal double folded region 40 which constitutes a forwardly opening female slot 42 for accommo¬ dating the rearward leg 44 of the facing strip 30.

The facing strip 30 has its front leg 46 adapted to overlie the siding and is bent to an L-shaped angle of less than 90 degrees, preferably to about 80 degrees, in order to insure that it clamps tightly against the siding when its rear leg 44 is inserted within female slot 42 of the receiv¬ ing strip 28. Leg 44 is held by tightness and friction within slot 42.

In accord with the invention, the outer longitudinal edge region 48 of the facing strip contains a longitudinal frontally extending flange 50, spaced from the outer edge 52 of the strip. Longitudinal spaced openings 54 are provided in the edge region 48 of strip 30 between the flange 50 and the edge 52. The edge region 48 of strip 30 may be fastened through openings 54 by any suitable means such as nails 56 passing through the siding and into the house.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 2 and 3, an additional frontally extending flange 58 is located along the outer edge 52 of facing strip 30. This frontally extending flange 58 may conveniently comprise a bent up edge of the facing strip 30. The C-shaped hem 32 is dimensioned to snap fit over the two flanges 50, 58, thereby overlying and concealing the fastening means 56. In this embodiment the two flanges 50 and 58 are shaped to have concave outer side surfaces, and the C-shaped hem strip 32 has its two legs 60, 62, shaped and dimensioned to have corresponding concave inner side surfaces, thereby to interlock with the outer sides of flanges 50 and 58. More specifically, the distance between the distal outer edges of the two flanges 50, 58, and the maximum inner surface distance between the two legs 60, 62 of the hem strip 32 are made approximately equal, and the opening between the two legs is made suffi¬ cient to permit one leg of the hem strip to be hooked over one flange and the hem strip then pivoted to snap its other leg into interlocking place over the other flange. The final assembly is shown in Fig. 3. It will be appreciated that facing strip 30 is made of relatively thin aluminum or vinyl material thereby to have sufficient flexibility and resilience to permit this snap over action, and thereafter to hold the hem strip firmly in place.

Referring to Fig. 3, the window trim is installed by first placing an insulation gasket strip 64, typically made of rubber, around the entire window. The receiving strip 2 is placed over the gasket at the corner of the casing, and the inner leg 38 of the receiving strip 28 is trimmed to abut against the window stop 66. The front flat leg 34 of the receiving strip 28 is then secured to the front face of the gasket and the front face of the window casing by fas¬ tening means such as screws or nails 68 passing through holes 36. The siding 12 is then nailed or otherwise secured to the house over the front of leg 36 of receiving strip 28. The facing strip 30 is then installed by inserting the shorter leg 44 within the slot 42 provided by folded region 40 of the receiving strip 28. The longer front leg 46 of the facing strip 30 is then secured to the house by the longer nails 56 passing through holes 54 in the facing strip edge region 48 and through the siding 12 and insulating strip 64 into the front house wall.

At the upper corners of the window, the larger front legs of the side and upper facing strips may be overlapped or mitered and corner caps 22, 24 pressed over the adjoining hem strips. Since the edge regions 48 of the facing strips are nailed against the house, these corner caps are also firmly held in place against the house by friction. If de¬ sired, they may also be provided with an adhesive backing.

It will be appreciated that the installation is quite simple, requiring very little labor time. The receiving strip 28 and the facing strip 30 may be held in place and fastened to the house by direct nailing from the front of the house. The hem strip 32 is then merely cut to size and snapped onto the flanges of the facing strip. The entire assembly is strong and immovable since both the receiving strip and facing strip are nailed down. Moreover the loca¬ tion of the strip fastening means along the outer edge region insures a water-shedding tight engagement over the siding ends.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, there is shown another embodiment of the invention in a corner trim panel compris¬ ing an elongated L-shaped facing strip 70 which carries a C- shaped hem strip 72 along the outer edge region 80 of each of its two legs 76, 78. Each outer edge region 80 contains a frontally extending longitudinal flange 82 spaced from its outer longitudinal edge, and also contains longitudinally spaced openings 84 between this flange 82 and the outer edge. A second frontally extending flange 86, which may conveniently be the bent up edge of the facing strip, also extends along the outer edge of each leg of the facing strip 70 parallel to flange 82. In this embodiment, both flanges 82 and 86 have convex transverse curvature along their outer side surfaces, while the opposing legs 88 90 of hem strip 82 have transverse concave inner side surfaces conforming in curvature to the outer convex surfaces of flanges 82, 86. The maximum distance between the inner surfaces between the two legs 88, 90 of hem strip 72 is approximately equal to the maximum distance between the outer surfaces of flanges 82, 86, while the distance between the outer edges of the two legs 88, 90 is slightly less than this maximum distance between the flange outer surfaces so that the hem strip 72 may be snapped over and onto the flanges 82, 86 as shown.

The corner trim panel may be installed by merely plac¬ ing the L-shaped facing strip over the siding panels at the corner, nailing each leg 76, 78 of the facing strip through holes 84 and through the siding 12 into the house, and then snapping the hem strips 72 onto the flanges 82, 86 of the facing strip. The facing strip and hem strips may be pre- cut to proper length or may be cut immediately prior to final assembly.

Referring now to Fig. 6, there is shown another embodi ment of the invention as applied to a window facing strip 92. In this embodiment the two legs 94, 96 of the C-shaped hem strip 98 have a longer transverse dimension than the C- shaped hem strips of Figs. 4 and 5. The front and side faces of hem strip 98 are flat, rather than curved with onl rounded corners. The two parallel frontally extending flanges 100 and 102 along the edge region 104 of the facing strip 92 likewise have a longer transverse dimension and are flat at the sides but are rounded at the corners 105 ad¬ joining the base of the flanges at the flat front face of the facing strip. The longer flat sides of the flanges and C-shaped hem strip legs provides greater flexibility, thereby facilitating the insertion the hem strip over the flanges. The flat front and side surfaces of the hem strip provide a more tailored appearance. The rounded corners 105, 106 at the edges of the hem strip and at the base of the flanges insures that the hem strip will be held firmly in place against transverse movement.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, there is shown a fur¬ ther embodiment of the invention as applied to a window trim, (Fig. 7) or a corner trip (Fig. 8) . In this embodi¬ ment, the C-shaped hem strip 108 has a wider front face 110 and shorter side legs 112, 114, with both the face and the legs perfectly flat and joined by square corners. The two flanges 116, 118 in the edge region 120 of the facing strip 122 or corner strip 124 are likewise shorter and perfectly flat with square corners at the base of the flanges. In this embodiment it is important that the dimension between the outer sides of the two flanges be slightly larger than the inner dimension between the legs of the C-shaped hem strip in order that the hem strip tightly clamps over and grips the flanges. An adhesive may also be applied between the mating surfaces. The only slightly raised flat shape of this hem strip gives a classic appearance simulating wood molding.

Referring now to Figs. 9, 10 and 11, there is shown yet another embodiment of the invention as applied to a window trim. Fig 9., or a corner trim. Fig. 10. In this embodi¬ ment, the C-shaped hem strip 126 is formed as an integral part of the facing strip 128 rather than as a separate member. One leg 130 of the hem strip 126 is attached to the longitudinal edge of the facing strip 128 by a hinge type pivotal connection 132 formed by an indentation along this edge. This indentation constitutes the longitudinal edge of the facing strip 128 as finally installed. This pivotal connection also constitutes the means for supporting this one leg 130 on the facing strip 128, thereby eliminating the need for a second flange along the edge of the facing strip, as described in connection with previous embodiments using separate hem strips.

In the embodiment shown in these Figs. 9, 10, and 11, flange 134 is provided extending in parallel spaced relatio to the indentation 132, and nailing holes are provided in the edge region 136 between this flange and the indentation 132. Flange 134 has a distal inclined ridge 138 projecting away from the edge region 136 and indentation 132, and a flat underside 140 extending parallel to the front face of facing strip 128. C-shaped hem strip 126 has a ridge 142 similarly shaped as ridge 138, on its outer distal leg 144, but with ridge 142 extending inwardly toward the pivotal indented connection. The transverse dimension between the legs 130 and 134 of hem strip 126 is made to be such that the ridges 138 of flange 134 and ridge 142 of hem strip 126 have mating flat surfaces 140, 143 which interleave and interlock when the hem strip 126 is fully pivoted on the hinge connection provided by indentation 132, as best seen in Fig. 11. The transverse dimension of each of the ridges 138, 142 is preferably made equal to one half of the dis¬ tance of flange 134 or leg 144 from which it projects, thereby causing the outer edge of the hem strip to rest against the front surface of the facing strip 128, as shown

While this interlocking ridge embodiment, Figs. 9-11, of the invention is shown in connection with a one-piece in tegral construction of the hem and facing strips, it should be understood that this same embodiment may be used with a two piece construction wherein an additional flange with a ridge similar to ridge 134 is provided on the facing strip and the leg 130 of the C-shaped hem strip is provided with a ridge similar to ridge 142 of leg 144. Likewise, it should be understood than any of the two piece constructions of the embodiments shown and described in conjunction in Figs. 2-8 may be made as integral one piece constructions by merely combining the facing strip edge flanges 58, 86, 100, or 118 with its respective mating hem strip leg 60, 90, 94 or 112 into one piece, and attaching this one piece to the edge of the facing strip by an indented pivotal hinge connection.

For example, a still further embodiment of the inven¬ tion is shown as both an integral one piece construction. Fig. 12, and a separate two piece construction. Fig. 13. Referring to Fig. 12, the integral construction comprises C- shaped hem strip 148 having one leg 150 attached to the fac¬ ing strip 151 by a pivotal indentations connection 152, and having its other leg adapted to.be pivoted into mating con¬ nection with flange 154 which extends in parallel spaced relation to indentation 152.

Flange 154 has a concave surface on its outer side away from indentation 152 and is thus similar to the flange 52 of the embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 3. However, the inner -- mating side surface 156 of hem strip leg 158 has a convex rather than concave curvature, and thus contiguously con¬ forms to the concave outer side surface of flange 154. It will be appreciated that with this integral construction, the hem strip leg 150 can be straight or have any other con¬ venient shape since it is already attached to the facing strip 151. The hem strip 158 need only be properly dimen¬ sioned transversely to enable its other leg 158 to be piv¬ oted into engagement with flange 154.

However, if a separate two piece construction is desired, as shown in Fig. 13, an additional edge-located flange 160 must be provided similar to flange 154 and a hem strip leg 162 similar to leg 158 must be substituted for straight leg 150.

It will thus be seen that in accord with the invention there has been provided a house trim for use with siding wherein a decorative hem strip may be quickly and easily installed either as an integral snap-over or separate snap- on construction. The mating surfaces between the outer sid of the facing strip flanges may both be concave (Figs. 2 an 3), or flat (Figs. 6, 7 and 8), or have interlocking ridges (Figs. 9, 10 and 11), or the flange side may be convex and the leg side concave (Figs. 4 and 5) , or the flange side ma be concave and the leg side convex (Figs. 12 and 13) . The invention may also be applied to window and door casings, a shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 12 and 13, or to house cor ners, as shown in Figs. 4, 5, 9, 10 and 11.

The described components of the invention, including particularly the facing strips for window, door or corner trim and the hem strips are preferably made of aluminum or vinyl material. If aluminum, the strips may conveniently b extruded or fabricated from sheet material. The aluminum should be of an order such that the facing strip flanges an hem strip legs will have sufficient flexibility and strengt for snap together mating and self supporting maintenance. If the components are made with vinyl material, they may be molded or extruded and also be of sufficient flexibility.

There has been disclosed heretofore the best embodimen of the invention presently contemplated. However, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the inven tion.

Claims

1. A house trim for use with siding comprising: a facing strip including a pair of elongated walls forming a substantially L-shape transverse configura¬ tion, an elongated end region of at least one elongated wall having a longitudinal edge and two spaced-apart frontally extending, parallel elongated flanges of the same configuration, said flanges being parallel to said longitudinal edge, said end region receiving means for securing said facing strip over siding adjacent a window, door or corner of the house, one of said flanges being located along said longitudinal edge; and an elongated hem strip placed onto said flanges and having a base section and two legs forming a substantially C-shape configuration, said legs and said flanges having respective smooth complementary faces shaped and overlapping each other so that said legs mattingly engage and seize upon said flanges to ensure tight engagement of said strip onto said flanges.

2. The house trim of claim 1, wherein each flange has a concave outer side surface and each leg has a concave inner side surface to engage and interlock with a respective one of said flanges.

3. The house trim of claim 1, wherein each flange has a convex outer side surface and each leg has a concave inner side surface conforming in curvature to said flange outer side surface.

4. The house trim of claim 1, wherein each flange has a flat outer side surface with a convex rounded corner at its base and each leg has a flat inner side surface with a rounded concave corner at its distal end.

5. The house trim of claim 1, wherein each flange has a flat outer side surface and each leg has a flat inner side surface, the dimension between the outer side surfaces of the two flanges being slightly less than the dimension between the inner side surfaces of the two legs.

6. The house trim of claim 1, wherein each flange has a concave outer side surface and each leg has a convex inner side surface, conforming in curvature to said flange outer side surface.

7. The house trim of claim 1, wherein said facing strip and said hem strip are made of aluminum, and said flanges and said legs have sufficient resilience to provide said tight engagement therebetween.

8. The house trim of claim 1, wherein said facing strip and said hem strip are made of vinyl material, and said flanges and said legs have sufficient resilient to provide said tight engagement therebetween.

9. The house trim of claim 1, for use as a windo trim, further comprising a triangular corner cap for insertion over a corner between a pair of said facing strips applied to a side and upper window casing, said corner cap being maintained as a press fit against said casing by said facing strip.

10. The house trim of claim 1, wherein said one of said flanges comprises a frontally bent longitudinal edg of said facing strip.

11. The house trim of claim 1, wherein said end region includes openings for accommodating fastening means for securing said facing strip over the siding, and wherein said hem strip overlays and conceals said fastening means.

12. A house trim for use with siding comprising: a facing strip including a pair of elongated walls forming a substantially L-shape transverse configura¬ tion, an elongated end region of at least one elongated wall having a longitudinal edge and two spaced-apart frontally extending, parallel, elongated flanges which are of the same configuration and are parallel to said longitudinal edge, said end region receiving means for securing said facing strip over siding adjacent a window, door, or corner of the house, one of said flanges being located along said longitudinal edge; and an elongated hem strip placed onto said flanges and having a base section and two legs forming a substantially C-shape configuration, said legs and said flanges having respective smooth complementary faces overlapping each other and curved so that said legs mattingly engage and seize upon said flanges to ensure tight engagement of said strip onto said flanges.