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A system for skirting manufactured homes or similar buildings with modular concrete panels. The concrete panels are placed in edge-to-edge relationship about the perimeter of the building, and are secured to the rim joist by metal keys that interfit with adjoining edges of the panels. The lower edge

A system for skirting manufactured homes or similar buildings with modular concrete panels. The concrete panels are placed in edge-to-edge relationship about the perimeter of the building, and are secured to the rim joist by metal keys that interfit with adjoining edges of the panels. The lower edges of the panels are secure to the ground by cast-in tie-down straps through which stakes or other fasteners are driven. Each panel includes a wire rod reinforcement frame embedded in the concrete, and recessed areas for reducing weight. The panels may also include vent grills, flood vents and other openings. The panels are cast in pairs using a mold assembly having a stationary inner bulkhead and hinged outer bulkheads that pivot outwardly to release the panels when the concrete is set.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for skirting a manufactured home or similar building, comprising the steps of:providing a plurality of substantially flat concrete panels having a height approximately equal to a predetermined height between a rim joist of said building and an underlying ground surface, each of said conc

1. A method for skirting a manufactured home or similar building, comprising the steps of:providing a plurality of substantially flat concrete panels having a height approximately equal to a predetermined height between a rim joist of said building and an underlying ground surface, each of said concrete panels having edge slots formed in first and second ends thereof; providing a plurality of key members, each of said key members having a mounting position at an upper end and an elongate panel-engaging portion with first and second edge flanges for being received in said edge slots of said panel members; mounting said upper ends of said key members to said rim joists so that said elongate panel-engaging portions of said key members extend downwardly from said rim joints; and placing said ends of said panel members against said downwardly extending panel-engaging portions of said key members that are mounted to said rim joints, so that said edge flanges of said panel-engaging portions are received in interfitting engagement with said edge slots of said panel members and so that said key members thereby secure said panel members to said building in vertical, edge-to-edge relationship. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of mounting said upper ends of the key members to said rim joist of said building comprises driving fasteners through said mounting portions at said upper ends of said key members and into said rim joists.3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of securing lower edges of said panel members to said underlying ground.4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of securing said lower edges of said panel members to said underlying ground comprises:providing at least one a tie-down member mounted to said lower edge of each panel member; and driving at least one fastener through said tie-down member into said underlying ground. 5. The method of claim 1, comprising the step of:backfilling soil against outer surfaces of said concrete panels secured to said building. 6. A modular panel member for skirting a manufactured home or similar building, said panel member comprising:a generally flat, concrete panel having: an upper edge for fitting beneath a rim joist of said building; a lower edge for resting on underlying ground beneath said building; first and second ends for extending downwardly from said rim joist towards said underlying ground; and edge slots formed in said first and second ends for receiving edge flanges of elongate, downwardly-extending panel-engaging portions of key members that are mounted to said rim joist of said building, said edge slots being tapered inwardly so that said edge slots permit easy initial insertion of said edge flanges and then cooperate therewith to establish a tight interfit as said panel member is pressed towards said depending panel-engaging portion of said key member, so that said key members secure adjoining panel members in vertical, edge-to-edge relationship beneath said rim joist. 7. The panel member of claim 6, further comprising:a wire-rod reinforcement frame embedded within cast concrete forming said panel. 8. The panel of claim 7, further comprising:at least one vent frame for permitting flow of air therethrough once said panel member has been installed. 9. The panel member of claim 7, further comprising:at least one recessed area for reducing a total weight of said panel member. 10. The panel member of claim 9, wherein said recessed area is formed within a thickened boundary in which said wire rod reinforcement frame is embedded.11. The panel member of claim 10, further comprising:at least one sloped transition area between said recessed panel and said thickened border for reducing concentration of stresses and increasing strength of said panel. 12. The panel member of claim 6, wherein said edge slots extend over only an upper portion of a total height of said ends of said panel member.13. The panel member of claim 12, wherein said edge slots have cutaway rearward edge portions for receiving a rearwardly-extending flange of said key member therein, so that forward edge portions of said edge slots meet in substantially edge-to-edge abutment when installed with to said key members therein.14. The panel member of claim 6, further comprising:a wood furring strip mounted atop said upper edge of said concrete panel for receiving fasteners that attach trim material to said panels when secured to said building.