Patent ID: 8002490

Claim:
A valance frame assembly mating two objects, comprising a first and second planar valance frame subassembly, with each planar valance frame subassembly comprising: a) a plurality of longitudinal frame members, each longitudinal frame member comprising: i. a recess at each end thereof; and ii. a frame member mating valance interface surface along an edge thereof; and b) a plurality of corner pieces, each corner piece comprising: i. an extending tongue at each end of the corner piece, the extending tongue being shaped to engage with the recess of one of the longitudinal member; and ii. a corner piece mating valance interface surface along an edge thereof; each longitudinal frame member being joined at its respective ends to a respective corner piece; the corner piece mating valance interface surface of each corner piece being aligned with the frame member mating valence interface surface of each joined longitudinal frame member to form a subassembly mating valence surface; each subassembly mating valence surface comprising an inner shoulder coplanar with an outer shoulder, such that when the first and second planar valance frame subassemblies mate, abutment of the shoulders defines a mating plane, wherein: the subassembly mating valence surface of the first valance frame subassembly comprises: i. one or more ridges that extend below the mating plane; and ii. one or more grooves that extend above the mating plane, each groove having a continuous gasket recess at a base therein for receiving a gasket; the subassembly mating valence surface of the second valance frame subassembly comprises: i. one or more ridges that extend above the mating plane; and ii. one or more grooves that extend below the mating plane, each groove having a continuous gasket recess at a base therein; and wherein the first and second valance frame subassemblies are mated such that: i. the longitudinal members of the first planar valance frame subassembly are positioned above the longitudinal members of the second planar valance frame subassembly; ii. the corner pieces of the first planar valance frame subassembly are positioned above the corner pieces of the second planar valance frame subassembly; iii. each ridge and groove on the first valence frame subassembly are positioned opposite a complementary groove and ridge of the second valence frame subassembly, thereby forming one or more mating pairs of a mating ridge and a mating groove; iv. for each mating pair, a surface of the mating ridge snugly engages with a surface of the mating groove; and v. for each mating pair, the gasket recess comprises a gasket fitted at the base of the mating groove, with the gasket engaging the mating ridge, thereby providing a seal therebetween.