US4107888A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mobile home skirting
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-07-05
•
Granted: 1978-08-22
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Expires: 1997-07-05
Abstract
Abstract Retractable skirting for selectively enclosing the space between the floor and ground of a structure supported above the ground surface. The skirting includes a plurality of panels mounted for vertical reciprocating movement between a first position in which the panels are stored within storage space defined in the structure side walls and a second position in which the panels are lowered into ground contact. The skirting is particularly applicable to mobile homes in which the storage space may be defined by the mobile home wall and exterior siding. The skirting panels are stored for travel and lowered when the mobile home reaches a stationary site. The panels are entirely concealed during travel in a storage space that provides maximum ground clearance for the mobile home.
Inventors
- 👤 Lynn A. Krueger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:52
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/343; E04B1/34336; E04B1/34342; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S52/00; Y10S52/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
In a mobile home having exterior side walls and a floor, apparatus for enclosing the space between the floor and the ground when the mobile home is in a non-travel mode comprising: exterior siding secured to each side wall and spaced apart therefrom to define a storage space between said siding and said wall, said siding extending downward and terminating at floor level to define an opening to said storage space proximate said floor; a plurality of rigid skirting panels mounted for vertical reciprocating movement between a first position in which said panels are stored within said storage space for travel and a second position wherein said panels are lowered through said opening into contact with the ground, each panel having top, bottom and lateral edges, an exterior surface and an interior surface, said exterior siding having a vertical dimension at least as large as the distance between said top and said bottom edges of said panels whereby said panels are completely concealed from view in said first position; and releasable latch means for securing said panels in said first position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
In a mobile home having exterior side walls and a floor, apparatus for enclosing the space between the floor and the ground when the mobile home is in a non-travel mode comprising: exterior siding secured to each side wall and spaced apart therefrom to define a storage space between said siding and said wall, said siding extending downward and terminating at floor level to define an opening to said storage space proximate said floor; a plurality of rigid skirting panels mounted for vertical reciprocating movement between a first position in which said panels are stored within said storage space for travel and a second position wherein said panels are lowered through said opening into contact with the ground, each panel having top, bottom and lateral edges, an exterior surface and an interior surface, said exterior siding having a vertical dimension at least as large as the distance between said top and said bottom edges of said panels whereby said panels are completely concealed from view in said first position; and releasable latch means for securing said panels in said first position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a plurality of vertical spacers secured to said exterior wall and said siding within said storage space, said vertical spacers disposed at intervals substantially corresponding to the lateral width of said panels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a flange affixed to the bottom edge of each of said panels and extending inwardly with respect to the space enclosed by said panels, said flange having apertures therein through which stakes are driven to secure said panels to the ground.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a flange affixed to the bottom edge of at least one of said panels, said flange extending outwardly with respect to said enclosed space and provided with apertures through which stakes may be driven to secure said panels to the ground.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising means affixed to said siding and said exterior wall at said opening to said storage space and in contact with said panels for sealing said storage space.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said sealing means further comprises a rubber sealing strip.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said panels are spaced apart along said side wall and further comprising means for joining said panels together at the adjacent lateral edges thereof when said panels are lowered to said second position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said joining means further comprises: a first cover plate having a lateral dimension greater than the spacing between adjacent panels; and means for securing said cover plate to the exterior surface of said panels at the lateral edge of adjacent panels whereby the spacing between adjacent panels is covered in said second position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said securing means further comprises: a second cover plate disposed at said lateral edges of adjacent panels on the interior side thereof and secured to said first plate by a threaded fastener extending through apertures provided in said first and second plates.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 further comprising seam cover means for joining the adjacent lateral edges of panels on adjacent side walls of said mobile homes at the corners of said mobile home.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said seam cover means further comprises a pair of panels having 90 degree bends therein, said panels spaced apart and affixed to each other to define a space in which the adjacent lateral edges of adjacent panels at the corners of said mobile home are received, said panels having a height dimension substantially equivalent to the height of said panels.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
161 words
In combination with a structure having side walls and a floor supported above the ground surface, apparatus for selectively enclosing the space between the floor and ground comprising: means for providing a storage space within each of said side walls, said storage space having an opening proximate said floor; a plurality of rigid skirting panels spaced apart along said side walls and each of said panels having top, bottom, lateral edges, and exterior and interior surfaces, said panels mounted for vertical reciprocating movement between a first position in which said panels are stored within said storage space with said bottom edges thereof extending no lower than the level of said floor and a second position wherein said panels are lowered through said opening into contact with the ground, said storage space sized to receive said panels in said first position so that said panels are completely concealed from view; and releasable latch means for securing said panels in said first position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
161 words
In combination with a structure having side walls and a floor supported above the ground surface, apparatus for selectively enclosing the space between the floor and ground comprising: means for providing a storage space within each of said side walls, said storage space having an opening proximate said floor; a plurality of rigid skirting panels spaced apart along said side walls and each of said panels having top, bottom, lateral edges, and exterior and interior surfaces, said panels mounted for vertical reciprocating movement between a first position in which said panels are stored within said storage space with said bottom edges thereof extending no lower than the level of said floor and a second position wherein said panels are lowered through said opening into contact with the ground, said storage space sized to receive said panels in said first position so that said panels are completely concealed from view; and releasable latch means for securing said panels in said first position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 further comprising a flange affixed to said bottom edge of each of said panels, said flange having apertures therein through which stakes are driven to secure said panels to the ground surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 further comprising means for joining said panels together at adjacent lateral edges thereof when said panels are lowered to said second position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said joining means further comprises a seam cover plate having a lateral dimension greater than the spacing between adjacent panels and means for securing said cover plate to the exterior surface of said panels whereby the spacing between adjacent panels in said second position is covered.
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) | 1981-08-21 | 1982-02-20 | 1982-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-21 | 1986-02-20 | 1986-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-21 | 1990-02-20 | 1990-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |