Patent Application
20100107548
When plastic siding is applied to a building, trim members are used to either surround a faucet or electrical outlet. There are numerous devices to accomplish this, such as those disclosed in Vagedes U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,152 and McCleod U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,708, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. These trim members include a J-channel that allows siding to butt up against the edge of the trim member. The J-channel includes an outer peripheral flange that conceals the cut edge of the siding. When a plug is inserted into an exterior electrical outlet, it is exposed to the weather. Water can get on the plug and cause a short.
The present invention comprises a cover for a trim member that has an outer peripheral flange. The cover includes a flange on three sides and a raised body portion. The peripheral edge of the flange includes a C-channel which is adapted to slide onto the outer peripheral flange of the trim member. Because the cover is open at its bottom, it can slide over and cover a plug inserted into an electrical outlet. The same cover can cover a faucet surrounded by a trim member. This will keep water from the inside of the trim member and/or the electrical outlet, is aesthetically appealing, and, further, will partially insulate a faucet.
The objects and advantages of the present invention will be further appreciated in light of the following detailed description and drawings in which:
As shown in
Typically, the trim member 12 includes a J-channel 16. The J-channel 16 includes a nailing flange 18 adapted to attach to the exterior 13 of the building, a neck portion 20, and an outer peripheral flange 22.
There are a wide variety of trim members which have a J-channel. Some of these, for example, are disclosed in McCleod U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,708; Vagedes U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,152; and Vagedes U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,619.
An exemplary trim member, mounted with an electrical outlet 26, is shown in
The cover 10 includes an edge portion 11 having a top flange 32, and side flanges 34 and 36. These flanges include a C-channel 38 which runs along the peripheral edge of flanges 32, 34 and 36, respectively. The top flange 32 and two side flanges 34 and 36 correspond in size to three sides of flange 22 of trim member 12 with the C-channel 38 adapted to engage the peripheral edge 42 of J-channel 16.
The cover 10 further includes a front body portion 44, which is raised above the plane of the peripheral flanges. Front portion 44 includes three side panels 46, 48 and 50, which extend from the top flange 32, and side flanges 34 and 36, respectively, up to a central panel 46. As shown, the bottom side 54 of cover 10 is open and raised, allowing the cover to slide over the trim member 12.
As shown, the trim member 12 is attached to the side 13 of the building using nails 30, or other fasteners. The siding 14 is then applied and butts up against the neck portion 20 of the J-channel 16.
The cover 10 slides onto the J-channel 16 with the C-channel 40 engaging the peripheral edge 42 of the J-channel, holding the cover 10 in position. Because the body portion 44 is raised, cover 10 can pass over either the outer surface of an electrical outlet 26, or a protruding faucet 28. An inner edge 51 of cover 10 may press against a top edge 53 of trim member 12, holding the cover 10 in position.
Cover 10 prevents water from getting into the inner portion of the trim member, and, further, will provide some protection from the elements. When a plug 27 is inserted in electrical outlet 26, the cover 10 can slide over the trim member 12 and plug 27 with the cord 29 extending from the open bottom of the cover 10. This keeps water off of the plug 27 and outlet 26. Finally, the cover is aesthetically appealing, providing a cleaner appearance to the side of the building.
This has been a description of the present invention along with the preferred method of practicing the present invention. However, the invention itself should only be defined by the appended claims, WHEREIN I CLAIM:
