Panel trim and related method of manufacture

Abstract

A panel trim including a cover and a base joined at opposite ends of a flange to form channels on opposite sides of the flange. The channels are adapted to receive panels, with the cover adapted to conceal the gap between the panels. The panel trim can include at least one ramp joined with the base. The panel trim can also include a flex region to enable independent flexing of opposite sides of the cover as panels are inserted into respective channels. The panel trim can be modified to accommodate linearly aligned panels, as well as panels that are at an angle to one another.

1 . A panel trim adapted for placement between adjacent first and second panels, the panel trim comprising:
 a base including a ramp;   a flange joined with the base;   a cover joined with the flange, the cover including a first cover portion and a second cover portion, the first cover portion and the base, and the second cover portion and the base, forming first and second channels on opposite sides of the flange, respectively, the cover including at least one flex region adjacent the flange so that the first cover portion flexes independently from the second cover portion without substantially altering the second channel,   wherein the ramp extends upwardly toward the first cover portion, increasing in height as the ramp nears the flange.   
   
   
       2 . The panel trim of  claim 1  wherein the flex region is at least one of a groove, a recess, and a void defined by the cover adjacent the flange. 
   
   
       3 . The panel trim of  claim 1  wherein the cover is constructed from a first material having a first durometer, wherein the flex region is constructed from a second material having a second durometer that is less than the first durometer. 
   
   
       4 . The panel trim of  claim 1  wherein the ramp is raised at an angle between about 5 degrees and about 30 degrees relative to the base. 
   
   
       5 . The panel trim of  claim 1  wherein the ramp is located inward from the outer end of the cover portion so that the cover portion completely conceals the ramp from a viewer viewing along a line substantially parallel to the flange. 
   
   
       6 . The panel trim of  claim 1  wherein the ramp includes a panel engaging upper surface, a bottom surface opposite the upper surface, and a recess defined adjacent the bottom surface, wherein a structural support element is joined with the bottom surface of the ramp, the structural support extending downward from the bottom surface a distance so that the structural support element simultaneously engages a wall, to which the trim is joined, with the base. 
   
   
       7 . A panel trim adapted for placement between first and second panels, the panel trim comprising:
 a base including a central region and opposing ends;   a flange including a first flange end and a second flange end distal from the first flange end, the first flange end joined with the cover at the central region and extending substantially perpendicularly to the base, the flange including opposing first and second flange sides;   a cover joined with the second flange end so that the cover, flange and base form opposing first and second channels, with the first channel adapted to receive the first panel and the second channel adapted to receive the second panel, the cover including a first cover portion extending from the flange on the first flange side, the first cover portion terminating at a free first flange end positioned a first distance from the base, the cover including a second cover portion extending from the flange on the second flange side, the second cover portion terminating at a free second flange end positioned a second distance from the base; and   a flex region defined at least partially by the cover, the flex region being adjacent the flange and the first cover portion, the flex region enabling the first cover region to flex relative to the flange, and relative to and independently from the second cover portion,   wherein the first panel is insertable by a user into the first channel without substantially moving the second cover portion so that the second distance remains substantially unchanged when the first panel is inserted into the first channel, whereby the second channel remains open and sized to receive the second panel,   wherein the base includes at least one ramp positioned within the first channel, the ramp including a ramp base, the ramp base being located inward from the free first flange end, the ramp adapted to urge the first panel toward the first flange portion as a user inserts the first panel deeper into the first channel,   wherein the base, cover and flange are integrally formed into a one piece panel trim,   whereby the cover covers ends of the first and second panels when those ends are adjacent one another, thereby concealing a gap between the first and second panels.   
   
   
       8 . The panel trim of  claim 7  wherein the flex region includes at least one of a groove, a recess, and a void defined by the cover adjacent the flange. 
   
   
       9 . The panel trim of  claim 7  wherein the cover is constructed from a first material having a first durometer, wherein the flex region is constructed from a second material having a second durometer that is less than the first durometer. 
   
   
       10 . The panel trim of  claim 7  wherein the ramp is raised at an angle between about 5 degrees and about 30 degrees relative to the base. 
   
   
       11 . The panel trim of  claim 7  wherein the ramp includes a panel engaging upper surface, a bottom surface opposite the upper surface, and a recess defined adjacent the bottom surface, wherein a structural support element is joined with the bottom surface of the ramp, the structural support extending downward from the bottom surface a distance so that the structural support element simultaneously engages a wall, to which the trim is joined, with the base. 
   
   
       12 . The panel trim of  claim 7  wherein the central region of the base includes a member substantially parallel to the flange and a member substantially perpendicular to the flange. 
   
   
       13 . The panel trim of  claim 7  wherein the upper and lower surfaces of the cover are substantially parallel, wherein the upper and lower surfaces substantially define a portion of a curve. 
   
   
       14 . A panel trim adapted for placement between adjacent first and second panels, the panel trim comprising:
 a base including a ramp;   a flange joined with the base, the ramp increasing in height as it nears the flange;   a cover joined with the flange so that the cover and base cooperate to form opposing first and second channels on opposite sides of the flange, the second channel having first dimensions, at least one of the cover and the flange including a defined flex region so that a portion of the cover adjacent the first channel flexes independently from the second cover portion, wherein the second channel retains the first dimensions as a first panel is inserted by a user into the first channel.   
   
   
       15 . The panel trim of  claim 14  wherein the flex region includes at least one of a groove, a recess, and a void defined by the cover adjacent the flange. 
   
   
       16 . The panel trim of  claim 14  wherein the cover is constructed from a first material having a first durometer, wherein the flex region is constructed from a second material having a second durometer that is less than the first durometer. 
   
   
       17 . The panel trim of  claim 14  wherein the ramp is raised at an angle between about 5 degrees and about 30 degrees relative to the base. 
   
   
       18 . The panel trim of  claim 14  wherein the ramp includes a ramp base, wherein the cover extends laterally outward past the ramp base. 
   
   
       19 . The panel trim of  claim 14  wherein the ramp includes a panel engaging upper surface, a bottom surface opposite the upper surface, and a recess defined adjacent the bottom surface, wherein a structural support element is joined with the bottom surface of the ramp, the structural support extending downward from the bottom surface a distance so that the structural support element simultaneously engages a wall, to which the trim is joined, with the base. 
   
   
       20 . A method for making panel trim, comprising:
 extruding a material through an extruder to form a linear, one-piece, monolithic panel trim including a base having a ramp, a flange joined with the base, and a cover joined with the flange so that the cover and base cooperate to form opposing first and second channels on opposite sides of the flange, the second channel having first dimensions, and   forming a flex region in at least one of the cover and the flange adjacent the first channel, wherein the base, the base ramp, flange and cover are of a substantially uniform thickness.   
   
   
       21 . A panel trim adapted for installation over an edge of a panel, the panel trim comprising:
 a base including a ramp to accommodate panels of different thicknesses;   a flange joined with the base;   a cover joined with the flange, the cover including a cover portion spaced apart from the base to define a channel, the cover including at least one flex region adjacent the flange so that the first cover portion flexes with respect to the flange; and   wherein the ramp extends upwardly toward the cover portion, increasing in height as the ramp nears the flange.