Patent Abstract:
A cover affixed to an expansion room of a recreational vehicle (RV) to cover and seal a gap in between the expansion room and a wall of the RV. The cover has a transverse wall to attach to the expansion room. The cover may have one or two bulb seals, and/or a flat seal affixed to the cover and/or the transverse wall to improve the seal against the wall of the RV. An end abutting the wall of the RV may be curved towards the RV to further cover the gap. A secondary cover may be used to cover any exposed fasteners. A plurality of covers may be provided so that when the expansion room is against the wall of the RV, the plurality of covers form an attractive covering frame between the RV and the walls of the expansion room.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/640,156, entitled “Coex Fascia Board Affixed to an Expansion Room to Provide a Decorative Frame, Gap Cover and Seal, at the Intersection of an Expansion Room and Body of a Recreational Vehicle,” filed Apr. 30, 2012, which application is incorporated in its entirety here by this reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates to boards for covering gaps between expansion rooms of a recreational vehicle and the wall of a recreational vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Current fascia boards for RV&#39;s are made of extruded powder coated aluminum which have an optional secondary seal within the extruded powder coated aluminum frame. The extruded powder coated aluminum frame is expensive to make and must be made in one piece, thereby increasing the cost of manufacture, assembly and affixation onto the wall of an expansion room of a recreational vehicle. An optional seal made out of cellular sponge material is also affixed to the extruded powder coated aluminum frame. 
         [0004]    Because of the strength and durability of the aluminum fascia boards, no one has considered looking for alternatives. However, given the cost of making fascia boards out of aluminum, there is a need for alternatives. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A first preferred embodiment of the fascia board comprises a frame section made out of plastic, such as thermoplastic olefin (“TPO”), affixed to the expansion room at the location where the expansion room adjoins the recreational vehicle when the expansion room is in the retracted position into the recreational vehicle (“RV”). Each frame section may optionally include a bulb seal made out of a plastic material, such as, by way of example only, a flexible thermoplastic elastomer (“TPE”) or thermoplastic vulcanizate (“TPV”), coextruded with the frame section. In any of the embodiments, various components or subcomponents of the fascia board can be made of different or the same material, depending on the characteristics desired for each component, using a coextrusion, tri-extrusion, or in general, a multi-extrusion process. The frame sections of the fascia board may be mitered at their ends to provide an attractive form fit frame, gap cover and seal around the outer wall of the expansion room when the expansion room is retracted back into the RV and the outer wall of the expansion room is adjacent to the wall of the RV. In general, the fascia board provides a gap cover as well as a “seal” when the expansion room is in the closed position. Utilizing the plastic is a great cost saving alternative to aluminum 
         [0006]    The fascia board comprises a frame section having an exterior wall and an interior wall. The first or upper end of the frame section may terminate in an optional arcuate section which functions as a cover. Spaced apart from the arcuate cover but adjacent to it may be a flexible bulb seal attached to or formed with the interior wall of the fascia board (e.g. by using a coextrusion, tri-extrusion, or, in general, a multi-extrusion process) and running the length of the frame section. Preferably, approximately two-thirds (⅔) of the width of the frame section closer to the lower end or second end, opposite the first end, is a transverse wall extending at approximately ninety (90) degrees to the frame section, the transverse wall having an upper surface and a lower surface, the transverse wall having a set of spaced apart openings. At a location immediately below the transverse wall but on the exterior wall of the frame section may be a first downwardly extending retention member extending for the length of the frame section. Parallel to it on the exterior wall and adjacent to the bottom end of the longitudinal section may be a second upwardly extending lower retention member extending for the length of the frame section. A set of spaced apart openings extend through the location of the frame section between the two retention members. 
         [0007]    Preferably, the fascia boards are form fitted with three or four sections affixed to the expansion room to create an attractive gap cover and frame including the flexible bulb seal to also seal the gap area. 
         [0008]    At the location of the expansion room, the RV has an opening into and out from which the expansion room slides to provide additional room space. The RV has an exterior wall. The expansion room has an exterior wall with an outer surface, a left sidewall, an upper wall and a right sidewall. By way of example only, the first fascia board is aligned so that the lower surface of the transverse wall rests on the upper wall of the expansion room. A set of fastening members are screwed through openings in the transverse wall and into the upper wall of the expansion room. The interior wall of the fascia board is aligned with the outer wall of the RV so that the bulb seal rests against the outer wall of the RV. 
         [0009]    The lower portion of the interior wall of the fascia board rests against the outer surface of the expansion room and a set of fastening members may be screwed through openings of the fascia board and to the upper portion of the exterior surface of the expansion room. A secondary cover or panel may be retained between the retention members to conceal the fastening members. 
         [0010]    In the same fashion, a second fascia board is aligned so that the lower surface of the transverse wall rests on a left sidewall of the expansion room. A set of fastening members may be screwed through openings in the transverse wall and into the left sidewall of the expansion room. The interior wall of the fascia board is aligned with the outer wall of the RV so that the bulb seal rests against the outer wall of the RV. The lower portion of the interior wall rests against the outer surface of the expansion room and a set of fastening members may be screwed through openings of the fascia board and to the left side portion of the exterior surface of expansion room. A secondary cover may be retained between the retention members to conceal the fastening members. The adjoining upper portions of two adjacent fascia boards are cut with a miter cut for a flush fit. 
         [0011]    In the same fashion, a third fascia board is aligned so that the lower surface of the transverse wall rests on a right sidewall of the expansion room. A set of fastening members is screwed through openings in the transverse wall and into the right sidewall of the expansion room. The interior wall is aligned with the outer wall of the RV so that bulb seal rests against the outer wall of the RV. 
         [0012]    The lower portion of the interior wall rests against the outer surface of the expansion room and a set of fastening members may be screwed through the openings of the fascia board and to the right side portion of the exterior surface of the expansion room. A secondary cover or panel is retained between the retention members to conceal the fastening members. The adjoining upper portions of two fascia boards are cut with a miter cut for a flush fit. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, a fourth fascia board may be aligned so that the lower surface of the transverse wall on the side of the second end rests on a bottom wall or floor of the expansion room. A set of fastening members is screwed through openings in the transverse wall and into the bottom wall of the expansion room. Portions of the interior wall of the fascia board may be aligned with the outer wall of the RV so that the bulb seal rests against the outer wall of the RV. 
         [0014]    Another portion of the interior wall of the fascia board rests against the outer surface of the expansion room and a set of fastening members may be screwed through the openings of the fascia board and to the bottom portion of the exterior surface of the expansion room. A secondary cover or panel is retained between the retention members to conceal the fastening members. The adjoining portions of two fascia boards are cut with a miter cut for a flush fit. 
         [0015]    Therefore, triplicate or quadruplicate fascia boards are affixed to the exterior surface of the expansion room. When the expansion room is retracted the fascia boards form a covering frame which is an attractive frame that also acts as a gap cover and sealing member to conceal the gap between the RV and the outer wall of the expansion room. By having three or four separate fascia boards made out of inexpensive TPO, the frame can be sized to perfectly fit the size of the outer wall of the expansion room. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments of the fascia board, a set of fastening members are screwed through openings only in the transverse wall and into a sidewall of an expansion room. The interior wall of the fascia board is aligned with outer wall of RV so that bulb seal rests against outer wall of RV. The lower portion of interior wall rests against a portion of outer surface of expansion room. The fastening members on the exterior frame of the fascia board are eliminated and therefore a secondary cover or panel to conceal them is also eliminated. Three or four fascia boards are used for the frame in the same manner as the first embodiment. 
         [0017]    A flat seal, which can be attached to or formed with the fascia board (e.g. by using a coextrusion, tri-extrusion, or, in general, a multi-extrusion process), or be a separate piece of waterproof acrylic foam tape on the underside of the transverse surface, provides more sealing power on the surface to which the transverse wall is affixed. An optional second bulb seal which is attached to or formed with the upper surface of the transverse wall (e.g. by using a coextrusion, tri-extrusion, or, in general, a multi-extrusion process) provides further sealing capability. The flat seal or waterproof tape and second bulb seals are optional and either both can be used or one or the other can be used. 
         [0018]    Therefore, three or four fascia boards may be affixed to the exterior surface of the expansion room. When the expansion room is against the outer wall of the RV, they form a covering frame which is an attractive frame and also acts a gap cover and gap seal. By having three or four separate fascia boards made out of inexpensive TPO material, the frame can be sized to perfectly fit the size of the outer wall of the expansion room and this replaces an expensive extruded aluminum frame. By way of example, the seals are preferably made out of TPE or TPV. 
         [0019]    In an alternative variation of the present invention, the structure is identical except that the two retention members are replaced with a snap hook and a post supporting a living hinge which supports a secondary cover or panel having a matching snap member which is retained onto the snap hook to act as a covering over the fasteners which affix the fascia board to the secondary cover or panel of the expansion room. 
         [0020]    In an additional alternative embodiment, the fascia board has the fastening members, by which the fascia board is attached to the exterior wall, removed and the only fastening members are the fastening members through the transverse wall. 
         [0021]    Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1A  shows four fascia boards of the present invention installed on a simplified representation of a RV. 
           [0023]      FIG. 1B  shows the RV with its expansion room pulled out, and the fascia boards removed. 
           [0024]      FIG. 1C  is a close-up of the cross-section of the RV shown in  FIG. 1A  taken along line  1 C- 1 C. 
           [0025]      FIG. 1D  is a close up of the area identified as  1 D in  FIG. 1C . 
           [0026]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the exterior side of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the interior side of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A . 
           [0028]      FIG. 2C  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A . 
           [0029]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the exterior side of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the interior side of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3A . 
           [0031]      FIG. 3C  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3A . 
           [0032]      FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 4B  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims. 
         [0035]    Note, the features in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Note also, the drawings are illustrative of the various features that can be combined in any variation or combination as described in the specification and not intended to limit any one embodiment to any specific combination of features. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1D , the fascia board or cover  10  is designed to be installed or affixed to an expansion room  400  of an RV  300  at the location where the expansion room  300  adjoins the RV  300  when the expansion room  400  is in the retracted position into the RV  300 . This covers the gap  302  and creates a seal between the expansion room  400  and a wall of the RV  300 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , sections of the fascia board  10  are mitered  118 ,  218  to provide an attractive form fit. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A through 2C , the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is a fascia board  10  made of plastic or filled plastic. By way of example only, the fascia board may be made of TPO or talc-filled TPO. The fascia board  10  comprises a frame section  12  having an exterior wall  14  and an interior wall  16 . The exterior wall  14  and interior wall  16  are bound by a first end  18 , a second end  30  opposite the first end  18 , a first side  19  adjacent to the first end  18  and the second end  30 , and a second side  31  opposite the first side  19  and adjacent to the first end  18  and the second end  30 . 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, the first end  18  terminates in an arcuate section  17  which enhances the seal against the RV wall. The arcuate section  17  curves inwardly on the side of the interior wall  16  towards the RV wall. This inward curvature causes the arcuate section  17  to cover the contents in between the fascia board  10  and the RV, thereby creating an aesthetic appearance. 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, on the interior wall  16 , preferably adjacent to the arcuate section  17  is an optional first seal  40 . Preferably, the first seal  40  is a flexible bulb seal  40  made of TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) or TPV (thermoplastic vulcanizate). The flexible bulb seal  40  may be attached to or formed with the interior wall  16  and may extend along the entire length L 1  of the frame section  12 , for example, by a coextrusion, tri-extrusion, or, in general, a multi-extrusion process. 
         [0040]    In between the first end  18  and the second end  30  may be a transverse wall  20 . In the preferred embodiment, the transverse wall  20  is approximately two-thirds (⅔) of the distance from the first end  18  to the second end  30 , closer to the second end  30 . However, the transverse wall  20  can be anywhere along the interior wall  16  so long as when the transverse wall is inserted into the gap  302  between the expansion room  400  and the RV wall  310 , the portion of the frame section  12  in between the transverse wall  20  and the first end  18  sufficiently covers the gap  302 . The transverse wall  20  extends approximately perpendicularly from the interior wall  16  of the frame section  12 . The transverse wall  20  has a first surface  21  (or lower surface) and a second surface  23  (or upper surface) opposite the first surface  21 . In some embodiments, the transverse wall  20  may have a set of spaced apart openings  22  and  24  that go through the first and second surfaces  21 ,  23  of the transverse wall  20 . Fasteners  22 A,  24 A can be used to secure the transverse wall  20  to the expansion room  400 . Other types of fastening mechanisms can be used to secure the fascia board  10  to the expansion room  400  that may not require pre-formed holes  22 ,  24 . Preferably, the transverse wall  20  extends the full length L 1  of the frame section  12 . 
         [0041]    In some embodiments, at a location immediately below the transverse wall  20  but on the exterior wall  14  of the frame section  12  is a first retention member  26  protruding outwardly and towards the second end  30  in a hook-like fashion. The first retention member  26  need not be immediately below the transverse wall  20 . In fact, the first retention member  26  can be positioned anywhere in between the first end  18  and a second retention member  28  described below. The first retention member  26  may extend the full length L 1  of the frame section from the first side  19  to the second side  31 . 
         [0042]    Parallel to the first retention member  26  on the exterior wall  14  in between the second end  30  and the first retention member  26  is a second retention member  28  extending from the first side  19  to the second side  31 . Preferably, the second retention member  28  is adjacent to or extends out from the second end  30 . The second retention member  28  protrudes outwardly and towards the first retention member  26  in a hook-like fashion. Therefore, in the preferred embodiment, the first retention member  26  and the second retention member  28 , in conjunction with the portion of the exterior wall  14  therebetween, define a C-shaped channel  33 . In some embodiments, a set of spaced apart openings  32  and  34  extend through the exterior wall  14  and the interior wall  16  of the frame section  12  in between first retention member  26  and second retention member  28 . The retention members  26 ,  28  are optional and some embodiments may not have retention members  26 ,  28 . Fasteners  32 A,  34 A can be used to secure the frame section  12  to the expansion room  400  via the openings  32 ,  34 . Other types of fasteners can be used as well that may not require pre-formed openings  32 ,  34 . 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, a second seal  42 , such as a bulb seal, may be attached to the second surface  23  of the transverse wall  20 . The second seal  42  is also optional. The second seal  42  may span across the entire length L 1  of the transverse wall  20 . In some embodiments, a third seal  43  may be attached to the first surface  21  of the transverse wall  20 . The third seal  43  may be a flat seal rather than a bulb seal. Like the second seal  42 , the third seal  43  may also span across the entire width of the transverse wall  20 . The second and third seals  42 ,  43  may be flexible plastic material attached to or formed with the fascia board  10 , such as TPE or TPV. In some embodiments, the third seal  43  may be a waterproof acrylic foam tape on the first side  21  of transverse wall  20  that lends more sealing power on the surface to which the transverse wall  20  is affixed. 
         [0044]    In use, by way of example only, four fascia boards  10   a,    10   b,    10   c,    10   d  are form fitted with four sections affixed to the expansion room  400  to create an attractive fanciful frame. Since the components of the four fascia boards are essentially the same, the same reference numbers will be used in reference to the components. Referring to  FIGS. 1A through 1D , at the gap  302  between the expansion room  400  and the RV wall  310 , there is an opening into which the expansion room  400  slides in and out to provide additional room space. The RV  300  has an exterior wall  310 . The expansion room  400  has an exterior wall  410  with an outer surface  420  having a left wall portion  430 , an upper wall portion  440  a right wall portion  450 , and a bottom wall portion  455 . The expansion room  400  also has an interior top wall  460 , a left sidewall  462  adjacent to the top wall  460  and the exterior wall  420 , and a right sidewall  466  opposite the left sidewall  462  and adjacent to the top wall  460  and the exterior wall  420 , and a bottom wall or floor  457 . The first fascia board  10   a  is aligned so that the first surface  21  of transverse wall  20  rests on top wall  460  of the expansion room  400 . A set of fastening members  22 A and  24 A are screwed through openings  22  and  24  in transverse wall  20  and into top wall  460  of expansion room  400 . The portion of the interior wall  16  of the fascia board  10  above the transverse wall  20  is aligned with outer wall  310  of RV  300  so that the first bulb seal  40  rests against the outer wall  310  of RV  300 . The lower portion of interior wall  16  rests against the upper wall portion  440  of outer surface  420  of expansion room  400  and a set of fastening members  32 A and  34 A may be screwed through openings  32  and  34  of the fascia board  10  and to the upper portion  440  of the exterior surface  420  of expansion room  400 . A secondary cover or panel  29  may be retained between retention members  26  and  28 , if present, to conceal the fastening members  32 A and  34 A. 
         [0045]    In the same fashion, a second fascia board  10   b  is aligned so that first surface  121  of transverse wall  120  rests on the left sidewall  462  of the expansion room  400 . Fastening members  22 A,  24 A are screwed through openings  22 ,  24  in the transverse wall  20  and into left sidewall  462  of expansion room  400 . The portion of the interior wall  16  above the transverse wall  20  (adjacent the first end  18 ) is aligned with outer wall  310  of RV  300  so that bulb seal  40  rests against the outer wall  310  of RV  300 . The lower portion of interior wall  16  (adjacent the second end  30 ) rests against the left portion  430  of outer surface  420  of expansion room  400  and a set of fastening members  32 A,  34 A are screwed through openings  32  and  34  of the fascia board  10   b  and to the left side portion  430  of the exterior surface  420  of the exterior wall  410  of expansion room  400 . A secondary cover or panel  29  may be retained between retention members  26  and  28  to conceal the fastening members  32 A and  34 A. The adjoining upper portion of fascia boards  10   a  and  10   b  are cut with a miter cut  118 . 
         [0046]    In the same fashion, a third fascia board  10   c  is aligned so that first surface  21  of the transverse wall  20  rests on a right sidewall  466  of the expansion room  400 . A set of fastening members  22 A,  24 A are screwed through openings in transverse wall  20  and into right sidewall  466  of expansion room  400 . The portion of the interior wall  16  above the transverse wall  20  (adjacent to the first end  18 ) of the fascia board  10   c  is aligned with outer wall  310  of RV  300  so that bulb seal  40  rests against outer wall  310  of RV  300 . The lower portion of interior wall  16  (adjacent the second end  30 ) rests against the right portion  450  of the outer surface  420  of expansion room  400  and a set of fastening members  32 A,  34 A are screwed through openings  32 ,  34  of fascia board  10   c  and to the right side portion  450  of the exterior surface  420  of expansion room  400 . A secondary cover or panel  29  is retained between retention members  26  and  28  to conceal the fastening members. The adjoining upper portions of the two fascia boards  10   a  and  10   c  are cut with a miter cut  210 . 
         [0047]    In the same fashion, a fourth fascia board  10   d  is aligned so that the first surface  21  of the transverse wall  20  rests on a bottom wall  457  of the expansion room  400 . A set of fastening members  22 A,  24 A may be screwed through openings in transverse wall  20  and into bottom wall  457  of expansion room  400 . In some embodiments, a portion of the interior wall  16  adjacent the first end  18  of the fascia board  10   d  may be aligned with outer wall  310  of RV  300  so that bulb seal  40  rests against outer wall  310  of RV  300 . Another portion of interior wall  16  opposite the arcuate section  17  adjacent the second end  30  rests against the bottom wall portion  455  of the outer surface  420  of expansion room  400  and a set of fastening members  32 A,  34 A are screwed through openings  32 ,  34  of fascia board  10   d  and to the bottom wall portion  450  of the exterior surface  420  of expansion room  400 . A secondary cover or panel  29  may be retained between retention members  26  and  28  to conceal the fastening members. The adjoining lower portions of the two fascia boards  10   b  and  10   d  are cut with a miter cut  119  and adjoining lower portions of the two fascia boards  10   c  and  10   d  are cut with a miter cut  211  for a flush fit. 
         [0048]    Therefore, in this example, four fascia boards  10   a,    10   b,    10   c,    10   d  having substantially the same components, are affixed to the exterior  20  surface of the expansion room  400 . When the expansion room  400  is against the outer wall  310  of the recreational vehicle, they form a covering frame which is an attractive frame and also acts as a seal. By having four separate fascia boards made out of inexpensive TPO, the frame can be sized to perfectly fit the size of the outer wall of the expansion room. When properly affixed to the expansion room  400 , all fascia boards  10   a,    10   b,    10   c,    10   d  (whether three or four are used) are bound within or coextensive with the borders or edges of the RV wall  310 . Therefore, in some embodiments, there may be a space between the border or edge of the RV wall  310  and a fascia board  10   a,    10   b,    10   c,  or  10   d;  or the fascia board  10   a,    10   b,    10   c,  or  10   d  may be flush or nearly flush with the border or edge of the RV wall  310 . By way of example only, when four fascia boards  10   a,    10   b,    10   c,    10   d  are used, all four fascia boards  10   a,    10   b,    10   c,    10   d  may be bound within the borders or edges of the RV wall  310 ; thereby creating a space in between the fascia boards  10   a,    10   b,    10   c,    10   d  and the border or edge of the RV wall  310 . By way of another example, when three fascia boards  10   a,    10   b,    10   c  are used, the side fascia boards  10   b,    10   c  may extend flush or nearly flush with the bottom end of the RV wall  310 , while being well within the bounds of the sides and top of the RV wall  310 . Other arrangements and variations can be used depending on the type and style of the expansion room  400  so long as the fascia boards  10   a,    10   b,    10   c,    10   d  provide an aesthetic frame to cover for the gap between an expansion room  400  and the RV wall  310 . 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3C , the details of an alternative embodiment of the fascia board  1010  are illustrated. In the preferred embodiment, the sections of the fascia board  1010  are made of plastic, such as rigid TPO material. 
         [0050]    Essentially, the fascia board  1010  has the same components, characteristics, and features as the first fascia board embodiment  10 , with the exceptions noted below. Therefore, the fascia board  1010  comprises a frame section  1012  having an exterior wall  1014  and an interior wall  1016 . The exterior wall  1014  and interior wall  1016  are bound by a first end  1018 , a second end  1030  opposite the first end  1018 , a first side  1019  adjacent to the first end  1018  and the second end  1030 , and a second side  1031  opposite the first side  1019  and adjacent to the first end  1018  and the second end  1030 . In some embodiments, the first end  1018  terminates in an optional arcuate section  1017 , which functions as a seal against the RV wall  310 . Spaced apart from the arcuate section  1017  but adjacent to it is a flexible bulb seal  1040  made of a plastic material, such as TPE or TPV, attached to or formed with the interior wall  1016  and preferably extending the length “L 2 ” of the frame section  1012 . Preferably, at approximately two-thirds (⅔) of the width “W 2 ” of the frame section  1012  is a transverse wall  1020  having a first surface  1021  and a second surface  1023 , opposite the first surface extending at approximately ninety (90) degrees to the section  1012 . However, the transverse wall  1020  can be anywhere along the interior wall  1016  so long as when the transverse wall  1020  is inserted into the gap  302  between the expansion room  400  and the RV wall  310 , the portion of the frame section  1012  in between the transverse wall  1020  and the first end  1018  sufficiently covers the gap  302 . The transverse wall  1020  may have a set of spaced apart openings  1022  and  1024 . 
         [0051]    At a location immediately below the transverse wall  1020  but on the exterior wall  1014  of the longitudinal section  1012  is a snap hook retention member  1026  that may extend for the length “L 2 ” of the frame section  1012 . The snap hook retention member  1026  comprises a first post  1050  that projects perpendicularly away from the exterior wall  1014 , then abruptly turns towards the first end  1018  of the frame section  1012  to create a lip  1052 . Parallel to the first post  1050  of the first snap hook retention member  1026 , on the exterior wall  1014  and adjacent the second end  1030  of the frame section  1012  is a second post  1025  extending perpendicularly away from the exterior wall  1014  and affixed to a living hinge  1027 . The living hinge  1027  is affixed to a secondary cover or panel  1029 , which, at the end opposite the living hinge  1027 , terminates in a retention member closing hook  1028 , all of which may extend for the length “L 2 ” of the frame section  1012 . A set of spaced apart openings  1032  and  1034  extend through the location of the frame section  1012  between snap hook retention member  1026  and the post  1025 . A secondary cover or panel  1029 , attached at one end to the living hinge  1027 , comprises a retention member closing hook  1028  which engages the snap hook retention member  1026  to cover the opening  1022  and  1024 . The secondary cover or panel  1029  can be bent at the living hinge  1027  (at approximately 90 degrees) so as to make the secondary cover or panel  1029  parallel to the exterior wall  1014 . This brings the retention member closing hook  1028  adjacent to the snap hook retention member  1026  so that the secondary cover or panel  1029  can be snapped on to the retention member closing hook  1028 . The fascia boards are form fitted with three or four sections affixed to the expansion room to create an attractive fanciful frame. 
         [0052]    A flat seal  1043  made of plastic, such as TPE or TPV, may be attached to or formed with the fascia board  1010  on the first surface  1021  of the transverse wall  1020 , or a waterproof acrylic foam tape may be applied on the first surface  1021  of transverse wall  1020  to lend more sealing power on the surface to which the transverse wall  1020  is affixed. A second bulb seal  1042  made of plastic, such as TPE or TPV, may be attached to or formed with or affixed to the second surface  1023  of the transverse wall  1020  to provide further sealing capability. 
         [0053]    In any of the aforementioned embodiments (but described here in reference to the first embodiment for ease of description only), the frame section  12  may further comprise a support  500 , as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . The support  500  may be integrated in between the interior wall  16  and the exterior wall  14 . In some embodiments, the support may extend the full length L 1  of the section  12  from the first end  18  to the second end  30 . In some embodiments, the support  500  may extend a partial length L 1  of the section  12 . Similarly, the support may extend the full width W 1  of the section  12  from the first side  19  to the second side  31 , or the support  500  may extend a partial width W 1  of the section  12 . The support  500  can be made of any type of rigid material, for example, plastic, wood, metal, carbon fiber, any composite, and any combination thereof. In the preferred embodiment, the support  500  is made of aluminum 
         [0054]    In the preferred embodiment, the materials used may be various different types of plastic, filled plastic, or rubber, such as thermoplastic olefin, talc-filled thermoplastic olefin, thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic rubber, vulcanized rubber, and the like, or any combination thereof. The components and subcomponents may be created by a coextrusion, a tri-extrusion, or in general, a multi-extrusion process. By utilizing these multi-extrusion processes to make components and subcomponents of the same or different material, the manufacturer can fine tune the fascia board by utilizing the best type of material for the purpose intended for each component or subcomponent depending on the desired characteristics needed for those components or subcomponents, such as rigidity, flexibility, hardness, softness, and the like. 
         [0055]    The foregoing description of the preferred 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 not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims appended hereto.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1