System and Method for Skirting a Manufactured Home
A system and method are provided for attachment of skirting, preferably vinyl skirting, with a manufactured home. The first legs of each of a plurality of clips, preferably L-shaped clips, may be attached with the bottom surface of the outer rim joist of the home. The plurality of L-shaped clips may be positioned along the length of the outer rim joist. The second legs of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips may be positioned downward. The top back skirting rail may be attached to the outer rim joist with the second legs of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips.
Latest Patents:
- METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR RNA-GUIDED TREATMENT OF HIV INFECTION
- IRRIGATION TUBING WITH REGULATED FLUID EMISSION
- RESISTIVE MEMORY ELEMENTS ACCESSED BY BIPOLAR JUNCTION TRANSISTORS
- SIDELINK COMMUNICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS, AND DEVICE AND STORAGE MEDIUM
- SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE HAVING MEMORY DEVICE AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME
N/A
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTN/A
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIXN/A
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to manufactured home skirting.
2. Description of the Related Art
Manufactured homes, such as mobile, temporary and trailer homes are built at manufacturing facilities and transported to the locations where they will be fixed to the ground and occupied. When the home is fixed with the ground, the floor of the typical manufactured home is elevated several feet above the ground. The homes are typically built over a wood frame floor beam system, such as with 2″×6″ lumber. The wood frame system typically has a wooden perimeter beam or outer rim joist, which may also be 2″×6″ lumber. A plastic vapor barrier is attached below the wood floor framing system to prevent moisture from infiltrating from below. The wood frame system with moisture barrier is mounted over a steel frame system, such as I-beams. The steel frame system may be recessed inwardly from the wooden perimeter beam under the home. Alternatively, there may be an I-beam positioned under a portion of the wooden perimeter beam, typically at the trailer hitch end of the home.
After the manufactured home is fixed at the location where it will be used, vinyl skirting is typically installed around the perimeter of the home to shield the otherwise exposed area underneath the home. The vinyl skirting typically includes top back skirting rails, top front skirting rails, skirting panels, and ground channels. Exemplary vinyl skirting is available from Style Crest, Inc. of Fremont, Ohio, and Blevins, Inc. of Jacksonville, Fla., among others. The skirting panels span between the home and the ground, and extend around the outer perimeter of the home. The skirting panels are often cut to fit at the location. For example, they may be cut into 3 foot by 15 foot sections that are joined together at the 3 foot end. The top of the skirting panels are typically sandwiched between the top back skirting rails and the top front skirting rails. The vinyl skirting rails are typically 4 to 6 inches high, and extend around the outer perimeter of the home. In the prior art, the top back rails are nailed or screwed to the exterior walls of the home above the floor area. The nails or screws are usually located no greater than 16 inches apart along the perimeter of the home. The top of the skirting panel is positioned in front of the top back rail, and the top front rail is snapped over the skirting panel with the top back rail to hold the top of the skirting panel. The ground channel is placed on the ground around the perimeter of the home. The channel is open upwards, and is fixed to the ground. The bottom of the skirting panel is positioned in the channel opening.
Problems exist with the prior art system and method of attachment of the top of the vinyl skirting to exterior walls of the home. The prior art system and method allow for water leakage past the exterior wall and sometimes into the home through the holes where the top back skirting rails are attached above the floor. Also, the exterior surface of the home and the vinyl sheeting are subject to differing amounts of expansion and contraction depending upon the temperature and moisture conditions, which can cause leak paths to develop around the attachment holes in the exterior walls. Further, if the skirting is pulled loose, such as in a wind storm, the exterior walls of the home are damaged. In apparent recognition of some of the problems with the prior art, recent Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations have required that skirting not be attached in a manner that can cause water to be trapped between the siding and trim or forced up into the wall cavity trim to which it is attached. Also, it has recently been required that skirting must not be attached in a manner that impedes the contraction and expansion characteristics of the home's exterior covering.
A need exists for a skirting attachment system that complies with the HUD requirements. A need exists for a skirting system that does not allow water past the exterior wall surfaces of the home. A need exists for a skirting system that does not impede the contraction and expansion characteristics of the home's exterior covering. A need exists for a cost effective and rapid installation system for attaching skirting to the manufactured homes.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA system and method are provided for attachment of skirting with a manufactured home. The first legs of each of a plurality of clips (preferably L-shaped) may be attached with the bottom surface of the outer rim joist of the home. The plurality of L-shaped clips may be positioned along the length of the outer rim joist. The second legs of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips may be positioned downward. The top back skirting rail may be attached with each of the second legs of the plurality of L-shaped clips. If an I-beam is positioned below the wooden outer rim joist, then the first legs of each of the L-shaped clips may be attached to the top flange of the I-Beam.
A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained with the following detailed descriptions of the various disclosed embodiments in the drawings:
Turning to
Returning to
Turning to
Method of Use
For the manufactured home 2 with a recessed steel frame as shown in
For the manufactured home 40 with a non-recessed steel frame as shown in
Since different types and brands of skirting have different spacing for the attachment slots on the top back skirting rails 24, it is preferred that one clip 20 be installed at each end of the sections of top back skirting rails 24 as they are attached to the joists 4. The remaining clips 20 may be installed in alignment with the rail 24 slots between the two ends. In areas on the rim joist 4 where the clip 20 will need to be located further toward the outside edge of the home 2, or further down on the second leg 36 of clip 20, an additional clip 20 may be used as a shim to obtain the extra needed thickness or length.
As can now be understood, the invention solves the prior art problem of water leakage into the home through the holes where the top back skirting rails are attached above the floor. The invention also solves the problem of leak paths developing around the attachment holes in the exterior walls due to the exterior surface of the home and the vinyl skirting being subject to differing amounts of expansion and contraction depending upon the temperature and moisture conditions. Further, if the skirting is pulled loose, such as in a wind storm, the exterior walls of the home are not damaged with the invention.
The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the details of the illustrated apparatus and system, and the construction and the method of operation may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Claims
1. A fastening skirting system for a manufactured home, said home having an outer rim joist for supporting a floor, said outer rim joist having a bottom surface, comprising:
- a plurality of clips each having a first leg and a second leg;
- a skirting panel for spanning the distance from the ground to said outer rim joist;
- wherein the first leg of each of the plurality of clips is attached to the bottom surface of the outer rim joist; and
- wherein the skirting panel is positioned to the outer rim joist with the second leg of each of the plurality of clips.
2. The fastening skirting system of claim 1, further comprising:
- a top back skirting rail for supporting said skirting panel;
- wherein said top back skirting rail is attached to the second leg of each of the plurality of clips;
- a top front skirting rail for supporting said skirting panel; and
- wherein said skirting panel is positioned between said top front skirting rail and said top back skirting rail.
3. The fastening skirting system of claim 1, wherein said clips are L-shaped clips.
4. The fastening skirting system of claim 3, wherein said L-shaped clips are substantially plastic.
5. The fastening skirting system of claim 3, wherein said L-shaped clips are substantially fiberglass filled high density polyethylene with low density polyethylene, polypropylene, and styrene butadiene.
6. The fastening skirting system of claim 3, wherein said L-shaped clips are metal.
7. The fastening skirting system of claim 3, wherein said outer rim joist is substantially wood.
8. A fastening skirting system comprising:
- a manufactured home having an outer rim joist for supporting a floor, said outer rim joist having a bottom surface;
- an I-beam having a top flange supporting said outer rim joist bottom surface;
- a plurality of clips each having a first leg and a second leg;
- a skirting panel for spanning the distance from the ground to said I-beam;
- wherein the first leg of each of the plurality of clips is attached to the top flange of said I-beam; and
- wherein said skirting panel is positioned to the outer rim joist with the second leg of each of the plurality of clips.
9. The fastening skirting system of claim 8 wherein the clips are L-shaped clips.
10. The fastening skirting system of claim 9, further comprising:
- a top back skirting rail for supporting said skirting panel;
- wherein said top back skirting rail is attached to the second leg of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips;
- a top front skirting rail for supporting said skirting panel; and
- wherein said skirting panel is positioned between said top front skirting rail and said top back skirting rail.
11. The fastening skirting system of claim 10, wherein said L-shaped clips are substantially plastic.
12. The fastening skirting system of claim 10 wherein said L-shaped clips are substantially fiberglass filled high density polyethylene with low density polyethylene, polypropylene, and styrene butadiene.
13. A fastening skirting system comprising:
- a manufactured home having an outer rim joist for supporting a floor, said outer rim joist having a bottom surface;
- a plurality of L-shaped clips each having a first leg and a second leg;
- a skirting panel for spanning the distance from the ground to said outer rim joist;
- wherein the first leg of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips is attached to the bottom surface of the outer rim joist; and
- wherein the skirting panel is positioned with the second leg of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips.
14. The fastening skirting system of claim 13, further comprising:
- a top back skirting rail for supporting said skirting panel;
- wherein said top back skirting rail is attached to the second leg of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips;
- a top front skirting rail for supporting said skirting panel; and
- wherein said skirting panel is positioned between said top front skirting rail and said top back skirting rail.
15. A method of attaching a skirting panel to a manufactured home, the manufactured home having an outer rim joist for supporting a floor, said outer rim joist having a bottom surface, comprising the steps of:
- attaching a first leg of a plurality of L-shaped clips to the bottom surface of the outer rim joist; and
- attaching the skirting panel to the outer rim joist with the second leg of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:
- providing a top back skirting rail for supporting said skirting panel;
- attaching said top back skirting rail to the second leg of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips;
- providing a top front skirting rail for supporting said skirting panel; and
- positioning said skirting panel between said top front skirting rail and said top back skirting rail.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein said L-shaped clips are substantially plastic.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein said L-shaped clips are substantially fiberglass filled high density polyethylene with low density polyethylene, polypropylene, and styrene butadiene.
19. A method comprising:
- providing a manufactured home having an outer rim joist for supporting a floor, said outer rim joist having a bottom surface;
- providing a steel I-beam having a top flange supporting said outer rim joist bottom surface;
- providing a plurality of L-shaped clips each having a first leg and a second leg;
- providing a skirting panel for spanning the distance from the ground to said steel I-beam;
- attaching the first leg of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips to the top flange of said steel I-beam; and
- attaching said skirting panel to the outer rim joist with the second leg of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:
- providing a top back skirting rail for supporting said skirting panel;
- attaching said top back skirting rail to the second leg of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips;
- providing a top front skirting rail for supporting said skirting panel; and
- positioning said skirting panel between said top front skirting rail and said top back skirting rail.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein said L-shaped clips are substantially plastic.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein said L-shaped clips are substantially fiberglass filled high density polyethylene with low density polyethylene, polypropylene, and styrene butadiene.
23. The method of claim 19, wherein said second leg of each of said L-shaped clips is positioned downward.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein said second leg of each of said L-shaped clips is positioned outward.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 10, 2009
Publication Date: Aug 12, 2010
Applicant:
Inventors: J. Fredric Farrell (Vicksburg, MS), John F. Farrell (Vicksburg, MS), L. Cecil Ayllon (Vicksburg, MS), Elton R. Williams (Vicksburg, MS)
Application Number: 12/368,423
International Classification: E04F 19/04 (20060101); E04B 1/38 (20060101); E04B 1/00 (20060101); E04B 1/66 (20060101);