Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed for routing water away from contacting a surface. A strip fabricated from a rigid plastic or a light metal includes a horizontally extending member that when engaged, routes water out from a vertical surface to which it is affixed. The longitudinal base of the molding strip is arched or raised in order to conceal fasteners and has axially opposing ends angled to be received and retained within a molding trim holder.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for routing water and more particularly, to routing water away from contact with a surface of a structure, such as a recreational vehicle (RV), in order to reduce streaking caused by residue mixed in with water.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Water coming in contact with surfaces of buildings and other structures is a known problem and inconvenience. Water contacting a surface where particulates can accumulate can cause damage to a surface as the water carrying the particulates passes over it. This is often seen in structures with horizontal or pitched roofs where dust and debris can collect over time. When precipitation comes in contact with the roof of a structure, water picks up the dust and debris and deposits it to a vertical surface to which it contacts while draining. This is often results in dark streaks as well as possible wear to the surface over a period of time. A number of devices are known and used to reroute water caused by rain, melting snow or other sources.  
         [0003]     The rain gutter, which has been installed on many homes and buildings, is a well-known and highly utilized example of water routing or diverting apparatus. The concept behind this simple device typically involves intercepting accumulated drainage near the rooftop of a structure and routing it through a trough where it may be deposited in a designated location.  
         [0004]     Drip moldings have been manufactured into the body of automobiles for years. Drip moldings have the specific purpose of keeping water drainage from the rooftop of an automobile away from the occupants as they enter or leave a vehicle. The concept of drip molding is similar to that of the rain gutter. Water draining off of the rooftop of a vehicle is captured within a small horizontal channel or depression. In general, water captured within the channel or depression of the drip molding follows the slope of the rooftop where it drains toward the backend of the vehicle.  
         [0005]     An awning is yet another well-known device used to, among other things, deflect water drainage. In general, awnings have been used to deflect elements such as rain, snow and sunshine. Most often, awnings are installed above structural opening along vertical surfaces such as windows, doorways, vents, and the like. Most often, awnings are constructed of a heavy cloth or nylon material and are permanently affixed to a structure. The type of awning usually associated with RV&#39;s are characterized by a mechanism for extending and retracting the awning.  
         [0006]     Many conventional devices for deflecting or routing water exhibit a marked disadvantage, however, in that they are cumbersome, difficult to install, and/or insufficiently designed to reroute or deflect large volumes of water. For example, the drip molding, as discussed, has a very small channel or depression to accommodate water drainage. When the volume of the drainage exceeds the flow capacity of the channel, the water spills over the side of the drip molding, thus rendering it ineffective during heavy precipitation.  
         [0007]     Awnings, as discussed above, are regularly implemented on RV&#39;s. However, awnings only cover a limited surface area of the vehicles exterior, leaving much of the exterior vertical surfaces unprotected. And, while rain gutters are effectively used on immobile structures, however implementation of rain gutters would not be practical or even structurally feasible on a RV&#39;s.  
         [0008]     Therefore, there is a need in the art for providing an apparatus for diverting water drainage away from contact with a vertical surface. Further, there is a need for a molding trim with a horizontal extending member for routing water away from a vertical surface of an RV in order to reduce streaking and wear.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     To overcome the limitations in the prior art described above, and to overcome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention is an apparatus for routing water away from contacting a surface.  
         [0010]     According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, described herein is an apparatus for routing water comprising: a horizontally elongated strip having a longitudinally arched or raised outer surface and axially apposed first and second ends. The tips of the axially opposed first and second ends of the strip may include bends in order to be suitably received within axially opposed first and second groves of a strip holder. A second member, extending horizontally from the longitudinal arched or raised outer surface to which it is affixed follows the length of the strip. When the strip of the present invention is affixed to a surface, it will project engaging water out from the surface, providing protection to a surface portion below the strip. This serves to reduce or eliminate contact from water carrying debris which may be deposited to the surface resulting in streaks and/or wear.  
         [0011]     The strip of the present invention may be constructed of a pliable material such as, for example, rubber, vinyl, polyurethane, polypropylene, and the like. A pliable strip may be desirable in order to conform the strip to the contour of the surface to which it is affixed. However, the strip may also be constructed of a rigid material such as, for example, aluminum, steel, wood, hard plastic, and the like. A rigid strip may be desirable in order to withstand wind and heavy precipitation. The strip may be affixed to an exterior surface through any means known in the art.  
         [0012]     These and various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to accompanying descriptive matter, in which there are illustrated and described specific examples of an apparatus and method in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary strip for routing water away from a surface according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a view of a molding strip engaged within a strip holder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a view of a RV portion with a molding strip engaged in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]     In the following description of the exemplary embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration the specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized as structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0018]     An RV, as used herein, may include any mobile structure used for transportation and/or shelter. An RV may include, for example, a travel trailer, fifth-wheel, motor home and the like. However, practitioners will appreciate that the present invention may also be employed in any number of other applications and is not solely limited to implementation on an RV. For example, the strip apparatus of the current invention may be used to route water away from a surface of an automobile, boat, transport trailer, architectural structure and the like.  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary strip for routing water away from contact with a surface according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, a strip may have a raised or arched outer surface  110  extending longitudinally. Such raised or arched outer surface may conceal fasteners such as, for example, screws, bolts, rivets, nails, staples and the like. A strip may have angled first  100  and second  105  opposing ends which may enable the strip to be affixed to a surface. A horizontally extending second member  115  may be positioned on the outer surface of a strip and attached thereto in order to route water outwardly beyond a surface to which it is affixed thereby reducing water contact with a surface. Further, second member may include a vertically downward angled portion  120  along the horizontal length of the second member  115  to serve as a drop point, eliminating water from adhering to bottom surface of the second member. A second member  115  may have a vertical downward slope of between 20 and 85 degrees followed by a downward angled portion  120  of between 30 degrees and 90 degrees. Downward angled portion  120  may be positioned with a bend starting point of between ⅛″ and 1 inch from the end point of second member  115 . In a preferred embodiment, an extending second member may have a vertical slope of 70 degrees and downward angled portion may have a bend of 90 degrees.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a view of a strip  200  engaged within a strip holder  205  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A strip may have an axially raised outer surface  235  of a height sufficient to cover the head of a fastener  210  which may be used to attach a holder  205  to a surface, however this is not necessary. Further, the strip of the present invention may include outwardly angled first  225  and second  230  opposing ends in order to engage first  215  and second  220  ledges of a strip holder  205 . The angles for first  225  and second  230  opposing ends may vary according to the configuration of a strip holder. Strip  200  may include a horizontally extending member  240  of a length of between ½ and 2 inches with an angle sufficient to route water away from contacting a surface to which it is affixed. Second member may include a downward angled portion  245  positioned so that the tip surface of the second member  240  is vertical to the ground.  
         [0021]     For simplicity,  FIGS. 3-4  make reference to a holder  205  as being of a type which may be used to secure the strip  200  of the present invention to a surface. However, practitioners will appreciate that a holder  205  may comprise any form and/or structure which may be suitably employed to affix a strip  200  to a surface. Further, it should be appreciated that a holder may not be required and that a strip  200  may be affixed to a surface by any means known in the art which may include, for example, double sided tape, Velcro, glue, nails, staples, magnets and the like.  
         [0022]     As used herein, a holder  205  may comprise any device known in the art which may be used in the construction of recreational vehicles. A holder  205  may receive and secure a strip  200  which may be employed to conceal fasteners that may be applied during the construction of a structure to affix two or more components. The holder  205  has a longitudinal oriented open trim channel with parallel opposed first  215  and second  220  ledges which enable the holder to receive and secure a strip  200 .  
         [0023]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a view is illustrated of a RV portion  320  with a strip  300  engaged in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A strip  300  may be attached to a vertical surface of a RV  320  with a fastener  315  such as, for example, a screw, bolt, rivet, nail, staple and the like. When affixed to an outer surface of an RV  320 , a horizontally extending member  305  of the present invention may route water originating from above the strip  330  away from contacting a vertical surface  325  residing below the strip  300  thereby reducing streaking to the vertical surface which may result from residue picked up by the water from a surface portion residing above the strip  300 .  
         [0024]     In one embodiment of the invention, strip  300  may be constructed of a flexible material which would enable it to follow the contour of a surface to which it is affixed. In yet another embodiment, the strip  300  may be constructed of a lightweight metal such as aluminum. A metallic strip  300  may provide added durability, weather resistance, and render the strip  300  more rigid which may be advantages in conditions of high wind and heavy precipitation.  
         [0025]     The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not with this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.