U.S. patent application number 10/738147 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-23 for clip for installing siding.
Invention is credited to Bess, Steven W..
Application Number | 20040182039 10/738147 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32994804 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040182039 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bess, Steven W. |
September 23, 2004 |
Clip for installing siding
Abstract
A clip for installing panels of siding to an underlying
structure is disclosed. The clip has an upper tab portion that
extends downwardly to a forked neck. The upper tab portion is
adapted to receive a fastener. A front portion and a rear portion
extend downwardly from the forked neck. The clearance between the
front portion and the rear portion is sized to receive a nail hem
of the panel of siding. The rear portion includes a forwardly
protruding lip, and the forward portion includes a rearwardly
turned curved hook. Both the forwardly protruding lip and the
rearwardly turned curved hook engage an uppermost fold in the panel
of siding just below the nail hem. This configuration allows the
clip of the present invention to simply and quickly snap over the
top edge of the panel at any desired location along the length of
the panel, and eliminates the need to install individual clips one
at a time from one end or the other of the panel.
Inventors: |
Bess, Steven W.; (Euless,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICES OF JAMES E. WALTON, PLLC
1169 N. BURLESON BLVD.
SUITE 107-328
BURLESON
TX
76028
US
|
Family ID: |
32994804 |
Appl. No.: |
10/738147 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60457064 |
Mar 21, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/698 ;
52/518 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 13/0864 20130101;
E04F 13/0842 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/698 ;
052/518 |
International
Class: |
E04B 001/38; E04C
005/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A clip for installing a panel of siding onto an underlying
structure comprising: an upper tab portion; a forked neck portion
located at the lower end of the upper tab portion; a front portion
extending downwardly from the neck portion; a rear portion
extending downwardly from the neck portion; a lip member extending
forwardly from the rear portion; and a curved hook member turning
rearwardly from the front portion.
2. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the upper tab portion is
adapted to receive a fastener for installing the panel of siding to
the underlying structure.
3. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the lip member is
configured to engage an uppermost fold in the panel of siding.
4. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the curved hook member is
configured to allow the front portion to slide over an exterior
curve in the uppermost fold of the panel of siding.
5. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the curved hook member is
configured to engage an uppermost fold in the panel of siding.
6. The clip according to claim 1, wherein both the lip member and
the curved hook member are configured to engage an uppermost fold
in the panel of siding.
7. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the lip member and the
curved hook are configured to snap over a top edge of the panel of
siding at any location along the length of the panel of siding.
8. The clip according to claim 7, wherein the forked neck portion,
the front portion, and the rear portion elastically expand and
contract as the lip member and the hook member snap over the top
edge of the panel of siding.
9. The clip according to claim 1, wherein a clearance between the
front portion and the rear portion is sized to receive a nail hem
of the panel of siding.
10. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the length of the front
portion is longer than the length of the rear portion.
11. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the curved hook member
is disposed lower than the lip member.
12. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the curved hook member
is configured to engage a lowermost curve on an uppermost fold in
the panel of siding.
13. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the lip member is
configured to engage a gap on an uppermost fold in the panel of
siding.
14. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the clip is made from
vinyl.
15. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the vinyl is ground up
reprocessed vinyl.
16. A method of manufacturing a clip for installing a panel of
siding to an underlying structure, the method comprising the steps
of: providing a volume of vinyl; producing a continuous strip of
vinyl having at least an upper tab portion, a forked neck portion
located at the lower end of the upper tab portion, a front portion
extending downwardly from the neck portion, a rear portion
extending downwardly from the neck portion, a lip member extending
forwardly from the rear portion, and a curved hook member turning
rearwardly from the front portion; and cutting the continuous strip
of vinyl to produce individual clips.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the volume of vinyl
is virgin vinyl.
18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the volume of vinyl
is ground up reprocessed vinyl.
19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the process of
producing the continuous strip of vinyl is an extrusion
process.
20. A method of manufacturing a clip for installing a panel of
siding to an underlying structure, the method comprising the steps
of: providing a volume of vinyl; producing a continuous strip of
vinyl having a panel portion and a clip portion; and separating the
panel portion from the clip portion; and cutting the clip portion
into individual clips.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/457,064, filed 21 Mar. 2003, titled "Clip for
Installing Siding."
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to siding for buildings. In
particular, the present invention relates to clips for installing
the panels of siding.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] For many years, siding has been used in the building
industry to protect exposed building materials from the elements
and to provide decorative accents to buildings. This siding is
typically manufactured in elongated panels that overlap or
interlock each other to aid in assembly and support each other.
Once the panels of siding are installed, they protect the
underlying materials from the elements, and provide decorative
accents to the building. Aluminum is typically the material of
choice for metal siding, and polyvinyl chloride, or vinyl, is
typically the material of choice for plastic siding.
[0006] These panels of siding can be manufactured in a multitude of
patterns, and typically includes a grain pattern that resembles
natural wood and folds or bends that resemble multiple courses of
natural wood lap siding. These folds and bends are formed by
folding, bending, roll forming, or forging during the manufacturing
process for metallic panels, or simply extruded with the folds in
place for vinyl panels. Each panel usually includes an upper
nailing hem through which nails, screws, or other fasteners can be
applied to fasten the panel to the underlying structure.
[0007] The panels of siding are typically installed over the
underlying structure in a horizontal fashion, one course at a time
beginning at the bottom of the structure and continuing upward
until the structure is completely covered. Because the panels are
exposed to the elements, they are subject to thermal expansion and
contraction. If the panels are not free to move horizontally,
undesirable bending, buckling, and warping will result. This
bending, buckling, and warping can result in permanent distortion
of the panel, which is cause for replacement of the panel. For this
reason, the nail hem typically includes a number of spaced apart
horizontal nail slots through which the fasteners can be applied.
These nail slots are intended to allow the panel to be adequately
secured to the underlying structure, while being able to expand and
contract horizontally, provided the installer properly applies the
fastener through the nail slot.
[0008] However, even with elongated nail slots, installers often
fasten the panels too tightly to the underlying structure, or apply
the fastener too close to one end or the other of the nail slot,
preventing proper expansion and contraction of the panel. Such
improper application of the fasteners can lead to undesirable
bending, buckling, and warping, which can lead to permanent
distortion of the panel and its ultimate replacement. This is the
most common problem and consumer complaint with the installation of
aluminum and vinyl siding.
[0009] To eliminate this problem, special nail clips have been
developed. These nail clips are typically manufactured from small
sheets of aluminum or other metal by folding, forging, or stamping.
They typically have a lower hook portion that engages the uppermost
fold in the panel and an upper tab portion through which the
fastener is applied. With these nail clips, the fasteners can be
applied through the upper tab portions of the clips, instead of the
nail hem of the panel. Once the fasteners are applied through the
upper tab portions, the panel is supported by the lower hook
portions of the nail clips. This allows the panel to be free to
expand and contract without buckling or warping. Some nail clip
designs include a punched tab portion that extends behind the nail
hem of the panel.
[0010] However, before these nail clips can be used, a number of
them must be slid onto the panel one at a time from one end or the
other and appropriately spaced apart along the length of the panel.
This is a very labor intensive and time consuming process. Thus,
although these nail clips represent important developments in the
area of aluminum and vinyl siding installation, many shortcomings
remain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] There is a need for clips for siding that can be applied to
the panel without having to slide the individual clips onto the
panel one at a time from one end or the other of the panel.
[0012] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to
provide clips for installing siding that can be applied to the
panel without having to slide the individual clips onto the panel
one at a time from one end or the other of the panel.
[0013] This object is achieved by providing a clip having an upper
tab portion that extends downwardly to a forked neck. The upper tab
portion is adapted to receive the fastener. A front portion and a
rear portion extend downwardly from the forked neck. The clearance
between the front portion and the rear portion is sized to receive
the nail hem of the siding panel. The rear portion terminates in a
forwardly protruding lip, and the forward portion terminates in
rearwardly turned curved hook. Both the forwardly protruding lip
and the rearwardly turned curved hook engage the uppermost fold in
the siding panel just below the nail hem. This configuration allows
the clip of the present invention to simply and quickly snap over
the top edge of the panel at any desired location along the length
of the panel, and eliminates the need to install individual clips
one at a time from one end or the other of the panel.
[0014] The clips of the present invention provide a number of
significant advantages, including: (1) the clips do not have to be
slid onto the panel one at a time from one end or the other of the
panel; (2) the clips can be snapped over the top edge of panel at
the desired location along the length of the panel, saving time,
labor, and money; (3) the clips engage the uppermost fold of the
siding panel from two opposing directions, forward and rearward,
providing a more secure installation of the panel; (4) the clips do
not have any folded, forged, or stamped portions, so they can be
manufactured by simple extrusion and cutting processes; (5) the
unique configuration of the clips allows them to be universal, in
that they can be used with a wide variety of types of siding
panels; and (6) in vinyl applications, the unique configuration of
the clips allows them to be manufactured from the same vinyl as the
panels, either from original material or from recycled regrind,
leading to significant cost savings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the clip for vinyl siding
according to the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a front view of the clip for vinyl siding
according to the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a right side view of the clip for vinyl siding
according to the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a left side view of the clip for vinyl siding
according to the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the clip for vinyl siding according
to the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a top view of the clip for vinyl siding according
to the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the clip for vinyl siding
according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] Referring to the figures in the drawings, and specifically
to FIG. 1, a nail clip for siding 11 according to the present
invention is illustrated. Clip 11 is used in the installation of
siding panels 13 to an underlying structure 17. Panel 13 can be
manufactured in a multitude of patterns, and typically includes a
grain pattern (not shown) that resembles natural wood and folds or
bends 15 that resemble multiple courses of natural wood lap siding.
It should be understood that panel 13 may be of conventional
design, or may be uniquely configured to facilitate installation
with clips 11 according to the present invention. Folds 15 are
typically formed by folding, bending, roll forming, or forging
during the manufacturing process for metallic siding, or panel 13
may simply be extruded with folds 15 in place for vinyl siding. It
will be appreciated that the shape, size, number, direction, and
orientation of folds 15 may vary widely from one type of panel 13
to another, and that individual panels 13 may include a plurality
of different folds 15. In the preferred embodiment, panel 13 is
manufactured from polyvinyl chloride, referred to herein as
"vinyl."
[0023] Panel 13 includes an upper hem 19 and a lower hem 21 that
are generally parallel with underlying structure 17. In the
preferred embodiment, fold 15 protrudes out from underlying
structure 17, and points downward, as is shown in FIG. 1. For
instances when panel 13 is of conventional manufacture, upper hem
serves as a nail hem, and may include a plurality of nail slots 23
through which conventional nails, screws, or other fasteners (not
shown) can be applied to fasten panel 13 to underlying structure
17. In the preferred embodiment, fold 15 protrudes out away from
underlying structure 17 and extends downward producing a lowermost
curve A, a rear gap B, and an upper curve C. As is shown in FIG. 1,
it is preferred that the creases in panel 13 formed by fold 15 are
smooth and curved.
[0024] Clip 11 is configured to receive upper hem 19 of panel 13
and to engage fold 15 of panel 13, so as to support panel 13 when
installed onto underlying structure 17. It will be appreciated that
a plurality of clips 11 may be used to support and install each
panel 13. Clip 11 includes an upper tab portion 31 that extends
downwardly to a forked neck 33. Upper tab portion 31 is adapted to
receive a conventional fastener, such as a nail, screw, staple, or
clip (not shown). Upper tab portion 31 splits into a front portion
35 and a rear portion 37 at forked neck 33, such that front portion
35 and rear portion 37 extend in a generally downward direction
from forked neck 33.
[0025] Forward portion 35 includes, preferably at its lowermost
end, a rearwardly turned curved hook member 39. Rear portion 37
includes, preferably at its lowermost end, a forwardly protruding
lip member 41. In the preferred embodiment, rear portion 37 is
generally parallel with upper hem 19 of panel 13. Although lip
member 41 is shown as a generally horizontal tab, it should be
understood that lip member may be inclined or may be curved up or
down, depending upon the shape of rear gap B. Hook member 39 and
lip member 41 are sized, shaped, and configured to engage the
uppermost fold 15 in panel 13 from opposite directions. Hook member
39 is preferably semicircular and engages fold 15 by surrounding,
either partially or entirely, lowermost curve A of fold 15. Lip
member 41 engages fold 15 by inserting into rear gap B formed in
fold 15. In this manner, panel 13 is sandwiched between front
portion 35 and rear portion 37, such that fold 15 of panel 13 is
snuggly sandwiched between hook member 39 and lip member 41,
allowing both hook member 39 and lip member 41 to carry and support
the weight of panel 13. The engagement of clip 11 to panel 13 is
secure enough to hold and support panel 13, but is loose enough to
allow clip 11 to be slid longitudinally along the length of panel
13 to adjust the location of clip 11 relative to panel 13.
[0026] In the preferred embodiment, forward portion 35 includes a
first bend 36 and a second bend 38 to facilitate conformance to
fold 15. However, it should be understood that forward portion 15
may include additional bends, or may include one or more smooth
curves, depending upon the application in which clip 11 is used.
The clearance D between the rear surface of front portion 35 and
the forward surface of rear portion 37 is sized to receive upper
hem 19 and fold 15 of panel 13. The clearance E from the interior
surface of forked neck 33 to the upper interior surface of lip
member 41 is sized to receive upper hem 19. The clearance F from
the lower surface of lip member 41 to the upper interior surface of
hook member 39 is sized to receive fold 15. It is preferred that
clearances D, E, and F be as small as possible so that upper hem 19
and fold 15 are snuggly engaged by clip 11 without wasted space or
material. It will be appreciated that clearances D, E, and F; and
the shape, size, and configuration of forward portion 35, hook
member 39, rear portion 37, and lip member 41; may vary depending
upon the size, shape, and configuration of upper hem 19 and fold
15. This allows clip 11 to be used universally with a wide variety
of panel types from many different panel manufacturers.
[0027] It should noted that in the preferred embodiment, hook
member 39 is disposed below lip member 41. This configuration
facilitates the spring action of clip 11. However, in some
applications, hook member 39 may be disposed at different locations
relative to lip member 41, depending upon the size, shape, and
configuration of fold 15.
[0028] The configuration of forked neck 33, front portion 35, and
rear portion 37 allow clip 11 to elastically spread apart and then
spring back into its original shape. This spring action allows clip
11 to simply snap over the top edge of panel 13 at any selected
location along the length of panel 13. The curvature of hook member
39 facilitates front portion 35 sliding over and around upper curve
C of fold 15. This configuration eliminates the need to install
individual clips one at a time from one end or the other of panel
13 and slide them longitudinally to the desired location.
[0029] Once installed over upper hem 19 of panel 13, clip 11 is
secured to underlying structure 17 by passing at least one
fastener, such as the fasteners described above, through upper
portion 31 and into underlying structure 17. If only one fastener
is used, it is preferred that the fastener be applied at the center
of upper portion 31. Thus installed, clips 11 support and align
panel 13, while allowing panel 13 to move longitudinally relative
to clips 11 as needed to accommodate thermal expansion and
contraction and other environmental effects, without producing
undesirable bending, buckling, warping, or permanent distortion of
panel 13. Clip 11 is concealed by the lower receiver portion of the
next installed panel.
[0030] Although clip 11 may be manufactured from a wide variety of
materials, it is preferred that clip 11 be manufactured from vinyl,
as aluminum and other metallic materials absorb more heat and cause
bubbles to form in panel 13 after installation. In addition,
metallic clips are typically coated with oil or other residue that
can be inadvertently transferred to panel 13 during installation.
Clip 11 may be manufactured from virgin vinyl, or from excess vinyl
generated during the process of manufacturing virgin vinyl panels
or other vinyl products.
[0031] Excess vinyl is typically generated from notching, punching,
and cutting processes. This excess vinyl is usually either disposed
of or sold to be ground up for reprocessing. Ground up vinyl is
commonly referred to as "regrind." To be used again, the regrind is
simply melted down, extruded in the desired cross-sectional shape,
and cut to length. The unique configuration of clip 11 allows
regrind to be the material of choice for nail clips for the first
time. Manufacturing clip 11 from regrind represents tremendous cost
savings in manufacturing, shipping, handling, and installation.
[0032] It should be understood that clip 11 can be manufactured as
an integral portion of a siding panel. The material forming clip 11
is simply formed at the same time and from the same material as the
panel, and then cut off and cut into individual clips 11 during
final processing of the panel.
[0033] The clips of the present invention provide significant
advantages, including: (1) the clips do not have to be slid onto
the panel one at a time from one end or the other of the panel; (2)
the clips can be snapped over the top edge of panel at the desired
location along the length of the panel, saving time, labor, and
money; (3) the clips engage the uppermost fold of the siding panel
from two opposing directions, forward and rearward, providing a
more secure installation of the panel; (4) the clips do not have
any folded, forged, or stamped portions, so they can be
manufactured by simple extrusion and cutting processes; (5) the
unique configuration of the clips allows them to be universal, in
that they can be used with a wide variety of types of siding
panels; and (6) in vinyl applications, the unique configuration of
the clips allows them to be manufactured from the same vinyl as the
panels, either from original material or from recycled regrind,
leading to significant cost savings.
[0034] It is apparent that an invention with significant advantages
has been described and illustrated. Although the present invention
is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just
these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications
without departing from the spirit thereof.
* * * * *