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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The instant application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/969,366, filed Aug. 31, 2007, the entire specification of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to an exterior trim system with corner trim pieces used in decorating exteriors of buildings. More specifically, the present invention relates to an exterior trim system comprising corner trim pieces, including those formed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), that are configured for concealing siding and providing an aesthetically pleasing finished appearance to an exterior of a building. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Exterior trim pieces are well known in the art for finishing exteriors of buildings to provide an aesthetically pleasing finished appearance. Traditionally, wood has been used to form these trim pieces. One particular example of this is seen in older clapboard houses in which wood trim provides a finished appearance to wood clapboards. Unfortunately, wood is subject to degradation from insects, wind, rain, sun, and other environmental elements. PVC or “vinyl” siding was eventually developed as a substitute for wood. Vinyl siding was found to be durable and weather resistant. To compliment the use of vinyl siding, exterior trim pieces were also developed that were similarly durable and weather resistant. Often such pieces are used to finish inside and outside wall corners of a building that has been covered in vinyl siding. Examples of such trim pieces are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,174 to Fragale. 
         [0004]    Fragale appears to disclose exterior trim pieces that are preferably formed of metal of about 0.013 gauge with a foam substrate laminated to the metal. The foam substrate provides insulation to the trim pieces. Each of the trim pieces has an integral J-channel that receives siding to conceal ends of the siding and provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to an exterior of a building. Installation of the trim pieces comprises simply applying an adhesive to the foam substrate and adhering the trim pieces to the exterior. An outer surface of the metal layer can be embossed with a wood grain, painted in any color, or striated with a colored PVC coating. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,222 to Wilson et al. appears to show similar exterior trim pieces to those of Fragale. The trim pieces of Wilson et al., however, can be formed of PVC with an inner support member adhered to the PVC for strengthening the trim pieces. These PVC trim pieces also include integral J-channels for receiving and concealing siding ends. The J-channels include flanges that abut the exterior of the building. Wilson et al. suggests using fasteners such as nails to secure the flanges to the exterior thereby securing the trim pieces to the building. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, there exists a need for new and improved exterior trim systems, including those comprising corner trim pieces, that are configured for concealing siding and providing an aesthetically pleasing finished appearance to an exterior of a building, that overcome at least one of the aforementioned problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES 
       [0007]    In accordance with the general teachings of the present invention, there is provided an exterior trim system comprising corner trim pieces. 
         [0008]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the system comprises a pair of elongated J-channel members for receiving siding. Each of the J-channel members includes a hook-shaped lip. Each of the J-channel members is configured for mounting to an outer surface of a building adjacent to a corner of the building. By “corner,” as that term is used herein, it is meant any location where two wall members, such as but not limited to exterior wall members) abut against, join to, or are in proximity to one another. Preferably, the J-channel members are mounted on opposite sides of the corner of the building. A corner trim piece is secured to the J-channel members. The corner trim piece includes a pair of complimentary interlocking lips for locking to the hook-shaped lips of the J-channel members thereby securing the corner trim piece to the J-channel members. 
         [0009]    In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, an exterior trim system for use on an exterior of a building is provided, comprising: (1) a channel member, wherein the channel member defines a J-channel operable to receive an end of a siding panel, wherein one end of the channel member includes a flange member operable to fasten the channel member to the exterior of the building, wherein a second end of the channel member includes a hook-shaped lip portion; and (2) a corner trim member, wherein the corner trim member includes an interlocking lip portion, wherein the interlocking lip portion at least partially envelopes and is secured to the hook-shaped lip portion of the channel member. 
         [0010]    In accordance with a first alternative embodiment of the invention, an exterior trim system for use on an exterior of a building is provided, comprising: (1) a pair of channel members, wherein each of the channel members define a J-channel operable to receive an end of a siding panel, wherein one end of each of the channel members include a flange member operable to fasten the channel member to the exterior of the building, wherein a second end of each of the channel members include a hook-shaped lip portion; and (2) a corner trim member, wherein the corner trim member includes a pair of interlocking lip portions, wherein each of the interlocking lip portions at least partially envelop and are secured to each of the hook-shaped lip portions of the channel members. 
         [0011]    In accordance with a second alternative embodiment of the invention, an exterior trim system for use on an exterior of a building is provided, comprising: (1) a unitary channel member, wherein the channel member defines a pair of J-channels each operable to receive an end of a siding panel, wherein a first end and a second end of the channel member each include a flange member operable to fasten the channel member to the exterior of the building, wherein a third end and a fourth end of the channel member each include a hook-shaped lip portion; and (2) a corner trim member, wherein the corner trim member includes a pair of interlocking lip portions, wherein each of the interlocking lip portions at least partially envelop and are secured to each of the hook-shaped lip portions of the channel member. 
         [0012]    Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purpose of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a building having a plurality of siding panels covering an exterior of the building with an outside corner trim piece of the present invention covering an outside corner of the building; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the exterior trim system including the outside corner trim piece positioned at a generally square outside corner of the building; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the exterior trim system including the outside corner trim piece positioned at a generally obtuse outside corner of the building; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the outside corner trim piece; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the outside corner trim piece; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the outside corner trim piece including one embodiment of dimensions in inches for the outside corner trim piece, which are exemplary and not to intended to limit the present invention 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the exterior trim system including a universal corner trim piece positioned at a generally square inside corner of the building; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the exterior trim system including the universal corner trim piece positioned at a generally obtuse outside corner of the building; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the exterior trim system including the universal corner trim piece positioned at a generally square outside corner of the building; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of the universal corner trim piece; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a rear perspective view of the universal corner trim piece; 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the universal corner trim piece including one embodiment of dimensions in inches for the universal corner trim piece, which are exemplary and not to intended to limit the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the exterior trim system including an inside corner trim piece positioned at a generally square inside corner of the building; 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a front perspective view of the inside corner trim piece; 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a rear perspective view of the inside corner trim piece; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the inside corner trim piece including one embodiment of dimensions in inches for the inside corner trim piece, which are exemplary and not to intended to limit the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0030]    The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various Figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    Referring to the Figures generally, a first exterior trim system secured to a building B is shown generally at  18  in  FIGS. 1-3 . The building B includes an exterior surface E onto which a plurality of PVC or vinyl siding panels S have been placed. Although the present invention will be described primarily in connection with the use of PVC or vinyl siding panels, it should be appreciated that the present invention can also be practiced with siding panels of various other compositions. 
         [0032]    Referring specifically to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first exterior trim system  18  includes a pair of elongated J-channel members  20 . Each of the J-channel members  20  includes a flange portion  22  defining a plurality of holes  24  vertically spaced from one another along the J-channel members  20  for securing the flange portion  22  to the exterior surface E of the building B, e.g., by using a fastener, such as a screw or nail (shown in phantom). Each of the J-channel members  20  further includes a base portion  26  extending from the flange portion  22  and a leg portion  28  extending from the base portion  26  to form a J-shaped channel  30  for receiving the siding panels S once the J-channel members  20  have been secured to the exterior surface E. 
         [0033]    A hook-shaped lip  32  forms an edge of the leg portion  28  of the J-channel members  20 . A turned end  34  of the hook-shaped lip  32  is generally oriented to face toward the base portion  26  thereby formed a generally U-shaped channel. In one embodiment, the flange portion  22  and the leg portion  28  are generally parallel to one another. The base portion  26  preferably forms an acute angle with the leg portion  28  and an obtuse angle with the flange portion  22 . In other embodiments, however, the base portion  26  is perpendicular to both the leg portion  28  and the flange portion  22 . 
         [0034]    An outside corner trim piece  36  secures to each of the J-channel members  20  either before the J-channel members  20  have been mounted to the building B or after they have been mounted to the building B. The siding panels S are installed to fit inside the J-shaped channel  30 . The outside corner trim piece  36  conceals the J-channel members  20  and provides an aesthetically appealing appearance to an outside corner of the building B. In  FIG. 2 , the first exterior trim system  18  is shown used for a generally square outside corner of the building B. In  FIG. 3 , the first exterior trim system  20  is shown used for a generally obtuse outside corner of the building B. 
         [0035]    The outside corner trim piece  36  includes a pair of generally perpendicular sides  38 ,  40 . Each of the sides  38 ,  40  includes an interlocking lip  42 . The interlocking lip  42  includes a male end  44  having an additional turn relative to the hook-shaped lip  32 . After installation, the interlocking lip  42  is disposed between the hook-shaped lip  32  and the siding panels S. At this point, the male end  44  fits into the U-shaped channel thereby interlocking the outside corner trim piece  36  and the J-channel members  20  together. 
         [0036]    Referring specifically to  FIGS. 4-6 , there is shown one embodiment of the outside corner trim piece  36 . In  FIG. 6 , exemplary dimensions are provided for the outside corner trim piece  36  in inches. However, these dimensions are not intended to limit the present invention. 
         [0037]    Referring specifically to  FIGS. 7-9 , a second exterior trim system is shown generally at  50 . The second exterior trim system  50  utilizes the same J-channel members  20  as the first exterior trim system  20 . 
         [0038]    A universal corner trim piece  56  secures to each of the J-channel members  20  either before or after the J-channel members  20  have been mounted to the building B. The siding panels S are installed to fit inside the J-shaped channel  30 . The universal corner trim piece  56  conceals the J-channel members  20  and provides an aesthetically appealing appearance to either an outside corner or an inside corner of the building B. By having application in both outside and inside corners of the building B, the second exterior trim system  50  is considered a universal trim system. In  FIG. 7 , the second exterior trim system  50  is shown used for a generally square inside corner of the building B. In  FIG. 8 , the second exterior trim system  50  is shown used for a generally obtuse outside corner of the building B. In  FIG. 9 , the second exterior trim system  50  is shown used for a generally square outside corner of the building. 
         [0039]    The universal corner trim piece  56  includes a base  57  and a pair of generally perpendicular sides  58 ,  60  extending from the base  57 . The base  57  preferably forms a 45-degree angle with the sides  58 ,  60 . Each of the sides  58 ,  60  includes an interlocking lip  62 . The interlocking lip  62  includes a male end  64  having an additional turn relative to the hook-shaped lip  32  so that the male end  64  fits into the U-shaped channel thereby interlocking the universal corner trim piece  56  and the J-channel members  20  together. 
         [0040]    Referring specifically to  FIGS. 10-12 , there is shown one embodiment of the universal corner trim piece  56 . In  FIG. 12 , exemplary dimensions are provided for the universal corner trim piece  56  in inches. However, these dimensions are not intended to limit the present invention. 
         [0041]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 13 , a third exterior trim system is shown generally at  70 . In this embodiment, the third exterior trim system  70  is formed as a unitary member in that at least one surface of the base and/or leg portions are joined or formed together, as opposed to a pair of separate channel members. The third exterior trim system  70  utilizes the same J-channel members  20  as the first  18  and second  50  exterior trim systems. 
         [0042]    An inside corner trim piece  76  secures to each of the J-channel members  20  either before or after the J-channel members  20  have been mounted to the building B. The siding panels S are installed to fit inside the J-shaped channel  30 . The inside corner trim piece  76  conceals the J-channel members  20  and provides an aesthetically appealing appearance to an inside corner of the building B. In  FIG. 13  the third exterior trim system  70  is shown used for a generally square inside corner of the building B. 
         [0043]    The inside corner trim piece  76  includes a pair of generally perpendicular sides  78 ,  80 . Each of the sides  78 ,  80  includes a interlocking lip  82 . The interlocking lip  82  includes a male end  84  having an additional turn relative to the hook-shaped lip  32  so that the male end  84  fits into the U-shaped channel thereby interlocking the inside corner trim piece  76  and the J-channel members  20  together. 
         [0044]    Referring specifically to  FIGS. 14-16 , there is shown one embodiment of the inside corner trim piece  76 . In  FIG. 16 , exemplary dimensions are provided for the inside corner trim piece  76  in inches. These dimensions are not intended to limit the present invention. 
         [0045]    Each of the corner trim pieces  36 ,  56 ,  76  may have a decorative outer face. For instance, the outer faces may be embossed to give the appearance of wood grain, stone, brick, and the like. In addition, the corner trim pieces  36 ,  56 ,  76  may be available in a variety of lengths or may be cut to fit the particular building to which they are applied. The J-channel members  20  are either provided or generally cut to the same length or close to the same length as the corner trim pieces  36 ,  56 ,  76  to securely hold the corner trim pieces  36 ,  56 ,  76  onto the building B. 
         [0046]    Installation of the corner trim pieces  36 ,  56 ,  76  is preferably carried out by first sliding the pair of J-channel members  20  onto the selected corner trim piece  36 ,  56 ,  76 . This includes sliding the hook-shaped lip  32  of each J-channel member  20  into one of the interlocking lips  42 ,  62 ,  82  of the selected corner trim piece  36 ,  56 ,  76 . By mating the lips  32  and  42 ,  62 ,  82  together, and then sliding them onto one another, the J-channel members  20  interlock with the selected corner trim piece  36 ,  56 ,  76 . Once assembled, the system  18 ,  50 ,  70  is mounted to the building B (using fasteners such as nails or screws in the holes  24 ). The siding panels S are then installed on the building B with their ends inserted into the J-channels  30 . 
         [0047]    In another embodiment, the J-channel members  20  are installed on the building B first, the siding panels S are then inserted into the J-channels  30 , and the corner trim piece  36 ,  56 ,  76  is snap-fit to the J-channel members  20  by pressing the edges of the corner trim piece  36 ,  56 ,  76  to urge the interlocking lips  42 ,  62 ,  82  into engagement with the hook-shaped lips  32 . More specifically, the male ends  44 ,  64 ,  84  are pressed to fit into the U-shaped channels defined by the hook-shaped lips  32 . 
         [0048]    While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention.

Summary:
An exterior trim system is described. The exterior trim system comprises a pair of J-channel members for mounting to an exterior surface of a building. The exterior trim system includes a number of different corner trim pieces for securing to the J-channel members. The corner trim pieces include an outside corner trim piece, an inside corner trim piece, and a universal corner trim piece capable of being used for both outside and inside corners of a building. The corner trim pieces provide an aesthetically appealing appearance to the corners of the building.