US4043088A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trailer skirting
Assignee: Alcoa Corp
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Filing: 1974-03-06
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Granted: 1977-08-23
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Expires: 1994-03-06
Abstract
Abstract Skirting which is utilized around the base of a mobile home or a similar statically supported trailer and which includes a plurality of vertical panels interlocked at corresponding overlapping side edges in a manner which prevents separation of the panels during their vibratory movement due to the wind.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward L. Payton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 02:03
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/343; E04B1/34336; E04B1/34342; E04C; E04C2/00; E04C2/02; E04C2/08; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S52/00; Y10S52/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
322 words
Skirting for a trailer statically supported upon a foundation and having a lower peripheral edge spaced above said foundation, said skirting including a plurality of vertically oriented panels each having parallel side edges and upper and lower marginal portions, an upper retainer means secured to said trailer lower edge, a lower retainer means secured to said foundation and located under said retainer means, said upper marginal portions of the panels anchored by said upper retainer means, said lower marginal portions of the panels anchored by said lower retainer means, the improvement wherein each panel has front and back faces and is formed of a flexible shape-retaining material, an arcuate bend extending from one side edge of each panel, said bend being formed over said front face of the panel and terminating adjacent said front face in an outturned lip, said bend forming a part-circular channel in conjunction with said front face which extends the length of said one side edge of the panel, said lip defining a restricted opening into said channel at said front face, a flange extending from the other side edge of each panel, said flange projecting rearwardly of the panel and spacedly overlying the rear face thereof, said flange terminating in a return bent lip located between said flange and rear face, said return bent lip projecting at an acute angle to said flange, the flange of one said panel at the other side edge thereof overlying the front face of an adjacent panel at the one side edge thereof and extending through the channel opening and under the bend at said adjacent panel one side edge, the return bent lip of said one panel projecting forwardly of the front face of said adjacent panel and terminating within the channel and forwardly of the connection of the outturned lip to such channel of said adjacent panel to interlock said one panel and adjacent panel together against lateral separation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
322 words
Skirting for a trailer statically supported upon a foundation and having a lower peripheral edge spaced above said foundation, said skirting including a plurality of vertically oriented panels each having parallel side edges and upper and lower marginal portions, an upper retainer means secured to said trailer lower edge, a lower retainer means secured to said foundation and located under said retainer means, said upper marginal portions of the panels anchored by said upper retainer means, said lower marginal portions of the panels anchored by said lower retainer means, the improvement wherein each panel has front and back faces and is formed of a flexible shape-retaining material, an arcuate bend extending from one side edge of each panel, said bend being formed over said front face of the panel and terminating adjacent said front face in an outturned lip, said bend forming a part-circular channel in conjunction with said front face which extends the length of said one side edge of the panel, said lip defining a restricted opening into said channel at said front face, a flange extending from the other side edge of each panel, said flange projecting rearwardly of the panel and spacedly overlying the rear face thereof, said flange terminating in a return bent lip located between said flange and rear face, said return bent lip projecting at an acute angle to said flange, the flange of one said panel at the other side edge thereof overlying the front face of an adjacent panel at the one side edge thereof and extending through the channel opening and under the bend at said adjacent panel one side edge, the return bent lip of said one panel projecting forwardly of the front face of said adjacent panel and terminating within the channel and forwardly of the connection of the outturned lip to such channel of said adjacent panel to interlock said one panel and adjacent panel together against lateral separation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The skirting of claim 1 wherein said return bent lip of said one panel contacts the bend of said adjacent panel in all positions of said one and adjacent panels when flexed about said interlocked side edges thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The skirting of claim 2 wherein said one panel flange contacts said adjacent panel front face.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The skirting of claim 3 wherein said flange and return bent lip of said one panel are snap fitted into the channel of said adjacent panel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-22 | 1981-02-21 | 1981-08-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-22 | 1985-02-21 | 1985-08-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-22 | 1989-02-21 | 1989-08-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |