Snap lock trim system and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a moveable trim system, comprising: at least one trim piece, the trim piece comprising; a trim body; a lock and release mechanism coupled to the trim body; at least one weatherproof seal; and an integrated drainage channel; at least one anchor strip, the anchor strip secured via fasteners to the structure to be covered by the trim piece and the anchor strip providing coupling for the lock and release mechanism; wherein the trim piece is moveable from a removed position which permits access to the structure under the trim piece and a locked position where the structure is covered by the trim piece.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A moveable trim system, comprising:
 at least one trim piece, the trim piece comprising;
 a trim body; 
 a lock and release mechanism coupled to the trim body; 
 at least one weatherproof seal; and 
 an integrated drainage channel; 
   at least one anchor strip, the anchor strip secured via fasteners to the structure to be covered by the trim piece and the anchor strip providing coupling for the lock and release mechanism;   wherein the trim piece is moveable from a removed position which permits access to the structure under the trim piece and a locked position where the structure is covered by the trim piece; and   wherein the weatherproof seal and drainage channel act in concert to prevent moisture penetration under the trim piece.   
     
     
         2 . The trim system of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is unlockable to permit movement of the trim piece from the locked position to the removed position. 
     
     
         3 . The trim system of  claim 1 , further including a movement mechanism coupled to the trim body and couplable to the anchor strip, the movement mechanism operable to retain the trim piece to the anchor strip while in the removed position. 
     
     
         4 . The trim system of  claim 3 , wherein the movement mechanism is an articulated double-hinge mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The trim system of  claim 3 , wherein the movement mechanism is a telescoping mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The trim system of  claim 3 , wherein the movement mechanism is a sliding rail mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . The trim system of  claim 3 , wherein the movement mechanism is a pivoting mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The trim system of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is a snap mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The trim system of  claim 1 , wherein the trim piece further comprises a mitered end to connect with an adjoining trim piece. 
     
     
         10 . A trim piece for covering a structure, comprising:
 a trim body;   a lock and release mechanism coupled to the trim body, the lock and release mechanism operable to engage an anchor strip on the structure;   at least one weatherproof seal; and   an integrated drainage channel,   wherein the trim piece is moveable from an removed position which permits access to the structure under the trim piece and a locked position where the structure is covered by the trim piece; and   wherein the weatherproof seal and drainage channel act in concert to prevent moisture penetration under the trim piece.   
     
     
         11 . The trim piece of  claim 10 , further comprising a movement mechanism coupled to the trim body operable to retain the trim piece in the removed position while remaining coupled to the anchor strip on the structure. 
     
     
         12 . The trim piece of  claim 10 , wherein the locking mechanism is unlockable to permit movement of the trim piece from the locked position to the removed position. 
     
     
         13 . The trim piece of  claim 11 , wherein the movement mechanism is an articulated double-hinge mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . The trim piece of  claim 11 , wherein the movement mechanism is a telescoping mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . The trim piece of  claim 11 , wherein the movement mechanism is a sliding rail mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The trim piece of  claim 11 , wherein the movement mechanism is a pivoting mechanism. 
     
     
         17 . The trim piece of  claim 10 , wherein the locking mechanism is a snap mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The trim piece of  claim 10 , wherein the trim piece further comprises a mitered end to connect with an adjoining trim piece. 
     
     
         19 . A kit for a moveable trim system for covering a structure, comprising:
 a plurality of trim pieces, each trim piece comprising;
 a trim body; 
 a lock and release mechanism coupled to the trim body, the lock and release mechanism operable to engage an anchor strip on the structure; 
 at least one weatherproof seal; and 
 an integrated drainage channel; 
   a plurality of anchor strips, each anchor strip secured via fasteners to the structure to be covered by the trim piece, each anchor strips providing coupling for the lock and release mechanisms;   wherein each trim piece is moveable from an removed position which permits access to the structure under the trim piece and a locked position where the structure is covered by the trim piece; and   wherein the weatherproof seal and drainage channel on each trim piece act in concert to prevent moisture penetration under the trim pieces.   
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 19 , further including a movement mechanism coupled to the trim body and couplable to the anchor strip, the movement mechanism operable to retain the trim piece to the anchor strip while in the removed position.