BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a side elevational view of the top starter strip.
FIG. 2 shows a side elevational view of a typical horizontal plank.
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view partially cut away of the exterior siding including the starting strip and two planks installed on the exterior of a building.
FIG. 4 shows a side elevational view partially in cross section of the building siding attached to a portion of a building wall.
FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention in a perspective view with two planks joined side by side.
FIG. 6 shows the alternate embodiment of FIG. 5 from a top plan view.
FIG. 7A shows a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the bottom starter strip.
FIG. 7B shows a side elevational view of the alternate embodiment of the horizontal plank.
FIG. 8 shows a cross sectional view of two alternate embodiments of the building siding installed.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings and, particularly, FIG. 1, the starting strip 12 is shown in a side elevational view to illustrate the “J-shaped” groove that is inverted 12b formed between the back wall of the starting strip 12a and the front wall 12c. The starting strip 12 also includes a plurality of dimples 12d that are circular recessed portions sized approximately in diameter to equal to the head of a nail or a screw. However, the dimples are not required. This provides a visual indication to a construction worker as to where to insert fasteners such as nails or screws that will be countersunk when the starter strip is mounted to a vertical wall stub 18 as shown in FIG. 3.
It is further contemplated that each starting strip 12 may additionally have a plurality of shallow vertical grooves located on the flat back wall. These grooves will extend from the top of the flat back wall to the bottom of the flat back wall.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the basic siding plank 14 is shown that is used to complete the building siding. Each plank 14 is mounted horizontally starting from the starting strip 12 as shown in FIG. 3 downwardly in horizontal rows. The plank 14 has a flat back wall 14d and an upper “L-shaped” wall 14a which is slightly tapered and fits snuggly within the inverted “J-shaped” groove 12b of the starting strip shown in FIG. 1. It is contemplated that the structure 12 may have a “J-shape” with an interior non-parallel, tapered “V-shaped” groove 12b to provide a tapered exterior surface. The top “L-shaped” portion 14a also is sized to fit snuggly in an adjacent horizontal plank into the inverted “J-shaped” groove 14b as each horizontal plank is attached to the plank above it in a downward pattern. The front surface of each plank is flat but tapered to give the effect of overlapping boards and to allow water run off.
It is further contemplated that each siding plank 14 may additionally have a plurality of shallow vertical grooves located on the side of the plank 14 which will share a planar relationship with the flat back wall of the starting strip 12. These grooves will extend from the top edge to the bottom edge of the plank 14.
Looking at FIG. 3, the starting strip is shown attached to a vertical stud 18 which is the exterior wall stud for the building. Also shown in FIG. 3 are two planks 14 connected to each other vertically. The planks may have dimples 20 and 22 that are also visual representations of where to place the appropriate fasteners such as nails, screws, staples or glue when attaching each plank 14 to a vertical stud 18.
Referring now to FIG. 4, the siding is shown with the starting strip 12 mounted at the top of a representative wall stud 18 and is interlocked with the first horizontal row 14 plank with a fastener 16 that has been attached to the starting strip 12 at the top. Subsequently, the first horizontal plank 14 is fastened into the inverted groove in starting strip 12 at the top and with a fastener 16 at its bottom securely fastening the horizontal plank to the starting strip and to the stud at its base. Thus, the sequence repeats from the top down of inserting the next row of horizontal planks and attaching them to the stud with fasteners such as nails, screws, staples or glue. The fasteners at the base of each plank are covered by the next plank inserted from below by wall 14a.
Looking at FIGS. 3 and 4, one can easily see how strong and tight the siding is mounted on the building exterior wall. It would be difficult for the wind or rain to penetrate the siding in the interlocking configuration as shown.
Looking at FIG. 4, the top starting strip 12 can also include a decorative edge chime 12e if desired. Also, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the horizontal planks 14 have a front façade that is visible after installation that includes a beveled or inclined shape to achieve the lap style look. However, any other façade can be utilized on the front exterior surface.
The back surfaces 12a and 14d are flat. The siding planks 14 and starting strip 12 can be made in various widths and thicknesses and lengths and from many different materials including mixed fibers, wood, concrete, steel, aluminum, plastics, polymers, foam or other blended or natural or man-made composite materials. The siding can function not only as a protective outer layer on a building protecting the building against wind, moisture, rain and solar energy, but also acts as an insulation for heat or cold. Overall, the siding provides greater uplift protection from stronger than average wind and moisture intrusion that results in a reduction of costly repairs and replacements to the building.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in an alternate embodiment 100, two horizontal planks 140 are shown joined together along one edge, side by side. Each plank 140 has one or more vertical shallow channels formed in its back surface. The back surface channels can be of any cross sectional shape and are shown as rectangular. The channels are used to collect moisture that may accumulate on the exterior surface of the wall of the building being covered by the siding. As each horizontal plank row is attached to a vertical plank row above, the vertical channels 140a can be aligned vertically so that the plank moisture channels from the top of the wall to the bottom of the wall are aligned. The starting strip channels can also be vertically aligned. Condensate and moisture will be drained downwardly by gravity.
As shown in FIG. 6, the plank back surface channels 140a are shallow and rectangular grooves but could be any design or shape. Also note that in an alternate embodiment, the planks 140 can be overlapped from side to side such that one plank has an extended lip 140c along one edge which is sized to engage a comparable recess 140b in the adjacent panel along each side. Thus, the panels can be overlapped laterally for moisture prevention. Note that a small channel can be disposed along the edge that shows the overlap 140c and 140b that itself could be a moisture barrier along the inside back surface between the planks 140.
Alternate Embodiment
As an alternative embodiment, referring now to FIG. 7A, the starting strip 200 is shown in a side elevational view to illustrate the “J-shaped” groove 200b formed between the back wall of the starting strip 200a and the front wall 200c. In this embodiment the starting strip 200 is installed at the bottom area of the wall to be covered. Subsequent panels 210 are then attached in an upward direction. The top plank can be attached and cut longitudinally to fit the top most row. Flashing or a sealant may be used to seal the top plank. The starting strip 200 also includes a plurality of dimples 200d that are circular recessed portions sized approximately in diameter to equal to the head of a nail or a screw. However, the dimples are not required. This provides a visual indication to a construction worker as to where to insert fasteners such as nails or screws that will be countersunk when the starter strip 200 is mounted to a vertical wall stub.
Each starting strip 200 may additionally have a plurality of shallow vertical grooves located on the flat back wall. These grooves will extend from the bottom of the flat back wall to the top of the flat back wall.
Referring now to FIG. 7B, the basic siding plank 210 is shown that is used to complete the building siding from the bottom of the wall upwardly. Each plank 210 is mounted horizontally starting from the starting strip 200 as shown in FIG. 7A upwardly in horizontal rows. The plank 210 has a flat back wall 210d and an lower inverted “J-shaped” wall 210a and groove 210e which fit snuggly within the “J-shaped” groove 200b of the starting strip shown in FIG. 7A. The back wall 200a of the starter strip 200 fits into the inverted “J-shaped” groove 210a of the plank 210. The front wall 200c of the starter strip 200 fits into the second groove 210e of the plank 210. The top “L-shaped” portion 210b of the plank 210 is sized to fit snuggly in an adjacent horizontal plank into the inverted “J-shaped” groove 210a, and second groove 210e as each horizontal plank is attached to the plank above it in an upwardly pattern. The front surface 210c of each plank is flat but tapered to give the effect of overlapping boards and to allow water run off.
Each siding plank 210 may additionally have a plurality of shallow vertical grooves located on the side of the plank 210 which will share a planar relationship with the flat back wall of the starting strip 200. These grooves will extend from the top edge to the bottom edge of the plank 210.
Alternate Embodiment
As an alternative embodiment, referring now to FIG. 8, the starting strip and horizontal planks 220 can also be used as soffits 230 or as roofing material 240. In both usages, the starting strip 220a as well as the horizontal planks 220b will be mounted in similar fashion to the procedure for the building siding 220. A starting strip will be mounted first. For the roofing material 240, the starting strip will be mounted near the top of the roof and the horizontal planks will be subsequently mounted below and downwardly. For the soffits 230, the starting strip 230a may be mounted on either side with the horizontal planks 230b subsequently mounted thereafter.
The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.
Patent Application
20080083188
