U.S. patent application number 11/483212 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-10 for siding securement system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Regency Innovations, LLC. Invention is credited to Donald Harney.
Application Number | 20080005994 11/483212 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38917935 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080005994 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harney; Donald |
January 10, 2008 |
Siding securement system
Abstract
A siding securement system for attaching siding to a structure.
The system includes threaded fasteners having a portion of the
shank non-threaded. The threaded portion of the shank is inserted
into a metal stud using a self-tapping tip, while the siding is
provided with elongated slots which ride along the non-threaded
portion of the fastener. The freedom of movement of the siding
along the non-threaded portion of the fastener prevents the siding
from buckling, bubbling or warping which accompanies expansion,
contraction and movement as the result of elemental effects on the
siding.
Inventors: |
Harney; Donald; (Woodward,
IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRETT J. TROUT, PC
516 WALNUT
DES MOINES
IA
50309
US
|
Assignee: |
Regency Innovations, LLC
|
Family ID: |
38917935 |
Appl. No.: |
11/483212 |
Filed: |
July 7, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/543 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 5/02 20130101; F16B
35/048 20130101; F16B 25/00 20130101; E04F 13/0864 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/543 |
International
Class: |
E04D 1/34 20060101
E04D001/34 |
Claims
1. A system for securing siding to a structure comprising: (a) a
length of siding defining a slot; (b) a screw provided through said
slot and engaged with said structure, said screw comprising: (i) a
slotted head; (ii) a shank secured to said slotted head; (iii)
threads provided on said shank and engaged with the structure; and
(iv) therein at least one half centimeter portion of said shank is
unthreaded between said threads and said head. (c) wherein said
shank is narrower than said slot; and (d) wherein said head is
wider than at least one dimension of said slot.
2. The system for securing siding to a structure of claim 1,
wherein said slot is elongated.
3. The system for securing siding to a structure of claim 2,
wherein said head is secured at east 0.5 centimeters from the
structure.
4. The system for securing siding to a structure of claim 3,
wherein thread crests of said threads have a greater diameter than
said slot.
5. The system for securing siding to a structure of claim 4,
wherein thread crests of said threads have a greatest diameter
greater than a smallest dimension of said slot.
6. The system for securing siding to a structure of claim 5,
wherein said shank is greater than 1.0 centimeter long and less
than 7.0 centimeters long.
7. The system for securing siding to a structure of claim 6,
wherein said shank is greater than 1.0 millimeter and less than 7.0
millimeters in diameter.
8. The system for securing siding to a structure of claim 1,
wherein said shank is greater than 1.0 centimeter long and less
than 7.0 centimeters long.
9. The system for securing siding to a structure of claim 1,
wherein threads crests of said threads have a greatest diameter
greater than a smallest dimension of said slot.
10. The system for securing siding to a structure of claim 9,
wherein said shank is greater than 1.0 centimeter long and less
than 7.0 centimeters long.
11. The system for securing siding to a structure of claim 10,
wherein said shank is greater than 1.0 millimeter and less than 7.0
millimeters in diameter.
12. The system for securing siding to a structure of claim 11,
wherein screw is provided through said slot in a manner which
allows said length of siding to move freely laterally relative to
said screw and longitudinally relative to said screw without
engaging said threads.
13. A system for securing siding to a structure comprising: (a) a
length of siding defining a first slot and a second slot; (b) a
first screw comprising: (i) a first slotted head; (ii) a first
shank secured to said first slotted head; (iii) a first set of
threads provided on said first shank and engaged with the
structure; and (iv) wherein at least a one-half centimeter portion
of said first shank is unthreaded between said first set of threads
and said first head. (c) wherein said shank is narrower than said
first slot; (d) wherein said first head is wider than at least one
dimension of said first slot; (e) a second screw comprising: (i) a
second slotted head; (ii) a second shank secured to said second
slotted head; (iii) a second set of threads provided on said second
shank and engaged with the structure; and (iv) wherein at least a
one-half centimeter portion of said second shank is unthreaded
between said second set of threads and said second head. (f)
wherein said second shank is narrower than said second slot; (g)
wherein said second head is wider than at least one dimension of
said second slot; (h) wherein said first screw and said second
screw are engaged to the structure in a manner which allows said
length of siding to move lateral to said first screw and said
second screw along said unthreaded portion of said first screw and
said unthreaded portion of said second screw; and (i) wherein said
first screw and said second screw are engaged to the structure in a
manner which allows said length of siding to move normal to said
first screw along said unthreaded portion of said first screw and
normal to said second screw along said unthreaded portion of said
second screw.
14. The system for securing siding to a structure of claim 13,
wherein thread crests of said first set of threads have a greater
diameter than said first shank and wherein thread crests of said
second set of threads have a greater diameter than said second
shank.
15. The system for securing siding to a structure of claim 14,
wherein thread crests of said first set of threads have a greatest
diameter greater than a smallest dimension of said first slot and
wherein thread crests of said second set of threads have a greatest
diameter greater than a smallest dimension of said second slot.
16. The system for securing siding to a structure of claim 15,
wherein said first slot said second slot are elongated.
17. A method for securing a length of siding to a structure
comprising: (a) providing a length of siding defining a first slot
and a second slot; (b) providing a first screw comprising: (i) a
second slotted head; (ii) a first shank secured to said first
slotted head; (iii) a first set of threads provided on said first
shank and engaged with the structure; and (iv) wherein at least a
0.5 centimeter portion of said first shank is unthreaded between
said first set of threads and said first head. (c) wherein said
shank is narrower than said first slot; (d) wherein said first head
is wider than at least one dimension of said first slot; (e)
providing a second second screw comprising: (i) a second slotted
head; (ii) a second shank secured to said second slotted head;
(iii) a second set of threads provided on said second shank and
engaged with the structure; and (iv) wherein at least a 0.5
centimeter portion of said second shank is unthreaded between said
second set of threads and said second head. (f) wherein said second
shank is narrower than said second slot; (g) wherein said second
head is wider than at least one dimension of said second slot; (h)
securing said first screw to the structure through said first slot
in a manner which allows said length of siding to slide laterally
and normally along said unthreaded portion of said first screw; and
(i) securing said second screw to the structure through said second
slot in a manner which allows said length of siding to slide
laterally and normally along said unthreaded portion of said second
screw.
18. The method for securing a length of siding to a structure of
claim 17, wherein thread crests of said first set of threads have a
greater diameter than said first shank and wherein thread crests of
said second set of threads have a greater diameter than said second
shank.
19. The method for securing a length of siding to a structure of
claim 17, wherein thread crests of said first set of threads have a
greatest diameter greater than a smallest dimension of said first
slot and wherein thread crests of said second set of threads have a
greatest diameter greater than a smallest dimension of said second
slot.
20. The method for securing a length of siding to a structure of
claim 17, wherein said first slot and said second slot are
elongated.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates in general to a system for
securing siding to a structure and, more particularly, a system for
securing flexible siding to a structure in a manner which allows
the siding to move in relationship to the fastener utilized to
secure the siding to the structure.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] It is known in the art to use vinyl siding to cover the
exterior surfaces of structures, such as residential housing. Vinyl
siding has particular advantages over wood based products in that
vinyl siding is relatively non-porous and, therefore, not as
susceptible to damage associated with mold and rot. Although it is
known in the art to provide siding constructed of metal and the
like, aluminum siding has the disadvantage of being less resilient
than vinyl and more susceptible to dents and other damage.
[0005] It is known in the art to provide vinyl siding with
elongated slots along its upper surface which allow the siding to
be secured to the structure. Typically, unthreaded fasteners such
as nails are provided through the slots to secure the siding
through wall sheathing provided on the structure and into studs
provided behind the sheathing. While nails work well to secure the
siding to wooden studs, when it is desired to secure the vinyl
siding through sheathing to metal studs, it is preferable to use
self-tapping screws to avoid inadvertent and undesirable
dislodgement of the fastener from the metal stud. To provide a
screw type fastener with substantially the same strength
characteristics of a nail type fastener, the shank of both the
screw and nail must be substantially similar.
[0006] As the slots provided in the vinyl siding are typically
designed to accommodate a shank of a nail, the slots are provided
with a smallest dimension just slightly larger than the diameter of
the nail shank. Accordingly, when a screw type fastener is used
instead, the diameter of the thread crest associated with the screw
is larger than the shank and, therefore, is often larger than the
narrowest dimension of the slots provided in the vinyl siding.
While the slots can be bent and the screw forced through to secure
the screw to the metal stud, the siding slot comes to rest between
the thread crests, providing very little longitudinal movement of
the siding relative to the screw without contacting the threads of
the screw.
[0007] With the thread crests of a larger diameter than the
narrowest dimension of the slot, as the siding expands and
contracts, instead of moving longitudinally in relationship to the
screw, the slot catches on the threads of the screw, causing the
vinyl to bend and warp. It would, therefore, be desirable to
provide a fastening system for securing vinyl siding to a metal
stud which included the securement advantages of a screw type
fastener and the longitudinal movement advantages associated with a
nail type fastener. The difficulties in the prior art discussed
hereinabove are substantially eliminated by the present
invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In an advantage provided by this invention, a siding
securement system is provided which is of a low cost
manufacture.
[0009] Advantageously, this invention provides a siding securement
system which may be installed with standard tools.
[0010] Advantageously, this invention provides a siding securement
system which holds siding securely to metal studs.
[0011] Advantageously, this invention provides a siding securement
system which allows siding to move longitudinally in relationship
to the fastener.
[0012] Advantageously, in a preferred example of this invention, a
system for securing siding to a structure is provided. The siding
is secured to a metal stud with a fastener. The fastener includes a
first threaded portion secured to the metal stud and a second
non-threaded portion. The siding rests on the non-threaded portion
of the fastener, allowing the siding to move longitudinally in
relationship to the fastener as the siding expands and
contracts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The present invention will now be described, by way of
example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the
siding securement system of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevation of the fastener of the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation in cross-section of the
siding securement system of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] The siding securement system of the present invention is
shown generally as (10) in FIG. 1. The system (10) includes a first
length of siding (12) overlapping a second length of siding (14).
The lengths of siding (12) and (14) are preferably constructed of
vinyl or similar material in a manner known in the art. The lengths
of siding (12) and (14) are preferably constructed with a curled
over top portion forming nail hems (16) and (18). The lengths of
siding (12) and (14) are also preferably provided with elongated
slots (20) and (22), and locks (24) and (26). The lengths of siding
(12) and (14) are also preferably provided with locking legs (28)
and (30), in a manner such as that known in the art. The lengths of
siding (12) and (14) are preferably placed over wall sheathing
(32), fastened in place onto metal stud (34), using standard
fastening techniques. To secure the lengths of siding (12) and (14)
to the wall sheathing (32) and metal stud (34), special fasteners
(36) are provided.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the fastener is provided with a head
(38) which, in the preferred embodiment, is a phillips type pan
head. The head (38) may, of course, be of a wafer, "S", truss or
washer head type, or any other suitable type known in the art. The
diameter of the head (38) is preferably between 1/4 inch and 1.0
inch, and most preferably about 3/8 inch in diameter. Secured to
the head (38) is a shank (40) which is preferably 1/16 inch to 1/2
inch in diameter, and most preferably about 1/8 inch in diameter.
The shank (40) is preferably between 1/2 inch and 5.0 inches in
length, and most preferably 11/8 inches in length. The shank (40)
is provided with a non-threaded portion (42) and a threaded portion
(44). In the preferred embodiment, the non-threaded portion is 3/8
inch in length and the tip (46) is preferably 1/5 inch in length.
The shank (40) is preferably threaded between the tip (46) and the
non-threaded portion of the shank (42). The shank (40) may be of
any desired length, but in the preferred embodiment is preferably
11/4 inches long. The threads (48) may be of any design known in
the art, but in the preferred embodiment are provided with a major
diameter of 0.161 inches and a minor diameter of 0.119 inches. The
tip (46) of the fastener (36) is preferably of a self tapping type,
such as that known in the art for insertion into metal studs. The
entire fastener (36) is preferably constructed of steel and coated
with a non-corrosive coating, such as zinc or the like. The
dimensions and threading of the fastener (36) may be adjusted as
desired, but preferably the non-threaded portion (42) of the shank
(40) is at least 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length, to allow for the slots
(20) and (22) of the lengths of siding (12) and (14) to move
thereon without becoming caught in the threads (48).
[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, when it is desired to utilize the siding
securement system (10) of the present invention, the second length
of siding (14) is positioned on the wall sheathing (32) and secured
thereto utilizing the fastener (36). The tip (46) of the fastener
is positioned through the slot (22) aligned with the metal stud
(34) positioned behind the wall sheathing (32). A driving
mechanism, such as a screw driver or electric drill (not shown) or
the like, is utilized to drive the fastener (36) through the slot
(22), wall sheathing (32) and into the metal stud (34). The self
tapping tip (46) allows the fastener (36) to penetrate the metal
stud (34). Preferably, the major diameter of the thread crests (50)
is greater than the distance between the top (52) and bottom (54)
of the slot (22).
[0020] The fastener (36) is inserted into the metal stud (34) until
the head (38) of the fastener (36) contacts the nail them (18). The
nail hem (18) maintains the head (38) a sufficient distance away
from the wall sheathing (32) to allow the second length of siding
(14) to move laterally relative to the fastener (36) along the
non-threaded portion (42) of the shank (40). In prior art fastening
systems, the threading extends nearly to the head of the fastener,
allowing the slot to ride along and bind upon the threads. This
binding causes the siding to have a warped or bubbled appearance.
By allowing the second length of siding (14) to move along the
non-threaded portion (42) of the fastener (36), expansion,
contraction and movement of the siding as a result of the elements
does not cause the siding (14) to bind. While fasteners with a
thread crest diameter smaller than the distance between the top
(52) and bottom (54) of the slot (22) would reduce the amount of
binding on the threads (48), the irregular surface associated with
the threads would still cause binding as the siding moved, and such
a fastener would have far less strength than a fastener of a
suitable diameter. The second length of siding is then secured in a
similar manner to regularly spaced metal studs (not shown).
[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, once the second length of siding (14)
has been secured to the metal stud (34), the first length of siding
(12) is positioned over the second length of siding (14). As shown,
the lock (24) of the first length of siding (12) is positioned over
the lock (26) of the second length of siding (14). Similarly, the
second nail hem (18) is provided over the first nail hem (16), and
the first locking leg (28) is provided over the second locking leg
(30). The first length of siding 12) is then slid laterally
relative to the second length of siding (14) until the slots (20)
and (22) are aligned as desired. Once the slots are aligned as
desired, a second fastener (56) is inserted through slots (58) and
(60), through the wall sheathing (32) and into a second metal stud
(62).
[0022] Preferably, the slots (20), (22), (58) and (60) are
positioned a predetermined distance relative to one another so that
metal studs (34) and (60) located between the sheathing (32) can be
identified merely by counting the number of slots and inserting
fasteners (36) and (56) as desired. Once the second fastener (56)
has been inserted sufficiently to contact the head (64) of the
second fastener (56) with the first nail hem (16), additional
fasteners (66) are inserted at regular intervals into metal studs
to secure the remainder of the first length of siding (12). As
shown in FIG. 3, once the first length of siding (12) has been
secured to the metal stud (62), a third length of siding (68) is
provided over the first length of siding (12) with a locking leg
(70) of the third length of siding (68) engaged with the lock (24)
of the first length of siding (12). The third length of siding (68)
is then secured using fasteners (66) in a manner such as that
described above.
[0023] Although the invention has been described with respect to a
preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is not
to be so limited since changes and modifications can be made
therein which are within the full, intended scope of this invention
as defined by the appended claims. For example, it is anticipated
that fasteners of any length, dimension, configuration or
construction may be utilized in association with any type of siding
known in the art, and applied to any type of structure known in the
art.
* * * * *