Patent Publication Number: US-2010107548-A1

Title: Cover for siding trim member

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     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. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     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: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view partially broken away of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view demonstrating attachment of the present invention to a trim member. 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross sectional view taken at lines  3 A- 3 A of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3B  is a view similar to  FIG. 3A  showing a faucet. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the present invention is a cover  10  which attaches to a trim member  12  which is fastened to the exterior surface  13  of a building wherein the exterior surface  13  is covered with siding  14 . 
     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  FIG. 3A . As shown, a plug  27  is inserted in outlet  26 . An alternate embodiment, shown in  FIG. 3B , surrounds a faucet  28 . The trim member can include a one-piece J-channel or a two-piece J-channel as disclosed in McCleod U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,708. 
     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: