Rubstrip coextrusion for vessels

Abstract

A rub rail including a base portion with a longitudinally extending recess or groove, into which an insert is received. A plurality of spaced-apart orifices along the bottom surface of the recess enable the base portion to be attached to the hull with threaded fasteners. The insert, which is made of polyvinyl chloride plastic, snaps into the groove, covering the heads of the fasteners, and is held in place by the edges of the groove. An outer curved face of the insert includes a strip of Type 316 stainless steel that is crosshead extruded with the plastic portion of the insert. The stainless steel strip is bright and shiny and provides a decorative appearance to the rub rail. The plastic portion of the insert seals around the longitudinally extending edges of the stainless steel strip, preventing water from intruding behind the strip, which might eventually cause corrosion.

The invention in which an exclusive right is claimed is defined by the following:  
     
         1 . A rub rail for use on a nautical vessel, comprising: 
 (a) an extruded elongate base configured to be attached to a nautical vessel, the base including a plurality of base flanges; and    (b) an elongate insert, the insert including a plurality of insert flanges configured to engage the plurality of base flanges to secure the insert to the base, the insert comprising a polymeric trim strip having a decorative metal trim layer, the decorative metal trim layer being attached to the polymeric trim strip such that when the insert is secured to the base, the decorative metal trim layer is disposed on an outer surface of the rub rail, the insert being formed using a co-extrusion process in which the decorative metal trim layer is co-extruded with the polymeric trim strip.    
     
     
         2 . The rub rail of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a longitudinally extending channel, and wherein the plurality of base flanges comprise a first flange and a second flange extending generally upwardly on opposite sides of the channel.  
     
     
         3 . The rub rail of  claim 2 , wherein the base and the insert are configured such that when the insert is secured to the base, the first and second flanges of the base do not cover any portion of the decorative metal trim layer.  
     
     
         4 . The rub rail of  claim 1 , wherein the base and the insert are configured such that when the insert is secured to the base, the insert extends over and covers each longitudinally extending joint where the insert engages the base.  
     
     
         5 . The rub rail of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric trim strip includes inwardly extending lips disposed adjacent to opposite longitudinal edges of the decorative metal trim layer that extend over and cover said opposite longitudinal edges.  
     
     
         6 . The rub rail of  claim 1 , wherein the decorative metal trim layer comprises stainless steel.  
     
     
         7 . A rub rail for use on a nautical vessel, the rub rail having an inner surface configured to fit against and be attached to a nautical vessel, and an outer surface configured to be visible when the rub rail is attached to a nautical vessel, the rub rail comprising: 
 (a) an extruded elongate base configured to be attached to a nautical vessel, said base including a longitudinally extending channel, and first and second flanges extending generally upwardly on opposite sides of the channel; and    (b) an elongate insert configured to be secured in the channel as the first and second flanges engage the insert, the insert comprising a polymeric trim strip and a decorative metal trim layer that forms a substantial portion of the outer surface of the rub rail, the insert being formed using a co-extrusion process in which the decorative metal trim layer is co-extruded with the polymeric trim strip.    
     
     
         8 . The rub rail of  claim 7 , wherein the polymeric trim strip includes first and second longitudinally extending inner lips, the first longitudinally extending inner lip covering a first longitudinal edge of the decorative metal trim layer, and the second longitudinally extending inner lip covering a second longitudinal edge of the decorative metal trim layer, such that the first and second longitudinal edges of the decorative metal trim layer are not exposed.  
     
     
         9 . The rub rail of  claim 7 , wherein the polymeric trim strip includes first and second longitudinally extending lower flanges, the first longitudinally extending lower flange being configured to engage a recess formed in an inner surface of the first flange on the base strip when the insert is secured to the base, and the second longitudinally extending lower flange being configured to engage an inner surface of the second flange on the base strip when the insert is secured to the base.  
     
     
         10 . The rub rail of  claim 7 , wherein the polymeric trim strip includes first and second longitudinally extending lower flanges, the first longitudinally extending lower flange being configured to engage an inner surface of the first flange on the base strip when the insert is secured to the base, and the second longitudinally extending lower flange being configured to engage an inner surface of the second flange on the base when the insert is secured to the base, said first and second longitudinally extending lower flanges extending generally upwardly from the insert and spreading laterally outwardly from the polymeric trim strip in an interference fit, when the insert is secured to the base.  
     
     
         11 . The rub rail of  claim 7 , wherein the polymeric trim strip includes first and second longitudinally extending lower flanges, the first longitudinally extending lower flange being configured to engage an inner surface of the first flange on the base strip when the insert is secured to the base, and the second longitudinally extending lower flange being configured to engage an inner surface of the second flange on the base strip when the insert is secured to the base, such that the first and second longitudinally extending lower flanges protrude generally downward from the insert, and the first and second longitudinally extending lower flanges each include a relatively thinner lip that extends generally laterally outwardly from one of the longitudinally extending lower flanges to engage the base, when the insert is secured to the base.  
     
     
         12 . The rub rail of  claim 7 , wherein the polymeric trim strip includes first and second longitudinally extending outer flanges, the first longitudinally extending outer flange being configured to cover a portion of an outer surface the first flange on the base strip when the insert is secured to the base, and the second longitudinally extending outer flange being configured to cover a portion of an outer surface of the second flange on the base strip when the insert is secured to the base, such that a first joint where the insert engages the first flange on the base strip is covered, and a second joint where the insert engages the second flange on the base strip is covered, when the insert is secured to the base.  
     
     
         13 . The rub rail of  claim 7 , wherein the decorative metal trim layer comprises stainless steel.  
     
     
         14 . The rub rail of  claim 7 , wherein the polymeric trim strip is formed from a polymeric material having a durometer of about 90.  
     
     
         15 . The rub rail of  claim 7 , wherein the base and insert are configured such that when the insert is secured to the base, the first and second flanges of the base do not cover any portion of the decorative metal trim layer.  
     
     
         16 . A method for installing a rub rail on a nautical vessel, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a coil of rub rail base and a coil of rub rail decorative trim insert, wherein the decorative trim insert includes a polymeric trim strip and a decorative metal trim layer, the decorative metal trim layer being disposed such that when the decorative trim insert is secured to the rub rail base, the decorative metal trim layer forms a portion of an outer exposed surface of the rub rail, the decorative trim insert being formed using a co-extrusion process in which the decorative metal trim layer is co-extruded with the polymeric trim strip;    (b) attaching the rub rail base to the nautical vessel; and    (c) attaching the decorative trim insert to the rub rail base.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of heating at least one of the rub rail base and the decorative trim insert to make said one more flexible and thereby facilitate the installation of the rub rail.  
     
     
         18 . A method for installing a rub rail on a nautical vessel, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) attaching a rub rail base to the nautical vessel such that only one seam is required; and    (b) attaching a decorative trim insert to the rub rail base, such that only one seam is required.