U.S. patent application number 11/968615 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-03 for panel siding assembly with spacing and positioning elements and method.
Invention is credited to Matthew Weiss.
Application Number | 20080155928 11/968615 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39581991 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080155928 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weiss; Matthew |
July 3, 2008 |
PANEL SIDING ASSEMBLY WITH SPACING AND POSITIONING ELEMENTS AND
METHOD
Abstract
A panel siding assembly adapted to be mounted to an outside
surface of a wall in a manner to provide an air space between the
siding assembly and the wall so that moist air in the air space is
able to escape from the air space. The assembly comprises a
plurality of laterally aligned panels having upper and lower panel
edge portions and outside and inside surfaces. The panels are
located at vertically spaced locations so that each pair of upper
and lower adjacent panels are positioned so that an upper front
surface portion of the lower panel of the pair is adjacent to a
lower rear surface portion of the upper panel of the pair at a
laterally extending juncture location. There is a plurality of
spacing and locating devices which are positioned at spaced
locations along the juncture location.
Inventors: |
Weiss; Matthew; (Chehalis,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Hughes Law Firm, PLLC
Suite 302, 4164 Meridian Street
Bellingham
WA
98226-5583
US
|
Family ID: |
39581991 |
Appl. No.: |
11/968615 |
Filed: |
January 2, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60883134 |
Jan 2, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/546 ;
52/747.1; 52/748.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 13/0864
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/546 ;
52/747.1; 52/748.1 |
International
Class: |
E04F 13/08 20060101
E04F013/08 |
Claims
1. A panel siding assembly adapted to be mounted to an outside
surface of a wall in a manner to provide an air space between the
siding assembly and the wall so that moist air in the air space is
able to escape from the air space, said assembly comprising: a) a
plurality of laterally aligned panels having upper and lower panel
edge portions and outside and inside surfaces, said panels being
located at vertically spaced locations in a manner that each pair
of upper and lower adjacent panels are positioned so that an upper
front surface portion of the lower panel of the pair is adjacent to
a lower rear surface portion of the upper panel of the pair at a
laterally extending juncture location; and b) a plurality of
spacing and locating devices which are positioned at spaced
locations along the juncture location, each spacing and locating
device comprising a spacing portion which has bearing engagement
with the outside surface of the wall to space at least one of the
panel from the outside surface of the wall and a positioning
portion to locate relative vertical location of the device with at
least one of the panels of an adjacent pair of panels or relative
location of two adjacent panels to each other.
2. The panel siding assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the
positioning portion of at least some of the devices comprises a
downwardly facing recess to position an upper portion of a lower
panel of its related pair.
3. The assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein there is a retaining
member extending downwardly from a location adjacent to said
recess.
4. The assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein said retaining
member also comprises a support portion which has an upwardly
facing support surface to provide support for an adjacent
panel.
5. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said positioning
portion comprises an upwardly extending retaining member that
provides an upwardly facing slot to position a lower end portion of
an adjacent panel.
6. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein there is at least
one spacing and locating device which is positioned in bearing
relationship to an adjacent wall portion and has a downwardly
facing retaining member to retain an upper end of an adjustable
panel, and said upper end of the panel has a fastener extending
through the panel and through the spacing and retaining member to
extend into the wall so that the upper end of the panel is attached
to the wall.
7. The assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein there is a spacing
portion which has a downwardly facing slanted surface which has a
narrow lower end portion to be able to become moved into a space
between the spacing member and the wall to facilitate positioning
of the spacing member.
8. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said spacing and
locating device comprises a downwardly extending slot-like opening
to receive an upper end portion of a lower panel, and there is a
yielding stop-member capable of engaging an upper end portion of
the lower panel to position it at a lower location to provide a gap
above the panel, and said positioning member is able to yield if
there is later expansion of the panel.
9. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein at least some of
said spacing and locating devices comprises a spacing and locating
device designed to minimize heat transfer through the device to
reduce probability of a fire or the like damaging a structure, said
heat resistant device comprising a spacing section, a spacing
element having side portions extending from the spacing element to
the wall, with at least some of said side portions having extending
thin spacing portions which have a small thickness dimension and a
small edge contact region with the outer surface of the wall.
10. The combination as recited in claim 9, wherein said devices of
claim 9 comprises a central member which is generally aligned with,
and spaced from the outer surface of the wall, and has on at least
two of its side edges outwardly extending flanges having outer edge
portions which are in contact with the outer surface of the wall
structure.
11. The assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein said device has
its surface areas with through-openings comprising at least about
one half of the total area so that air could circulate through the
air space of the assembly.
12. A method of mounting a plurality of panels to an outside
surface of a wall in a manner to provide a panel siding assembly
with an air space between the siding assembly and the wall so that
moist air in the air space is able to escape from the air space,
said method comprising: a) providing a plurality of laterally
aligned panels having upper and lower panel edge portions and
outside and inside surfaces, and placing said panels sequentially
at vertically spaced locations at a location spaced from said
outside wall surface in a manner that each pair of upper and lower
adjacent panels are positioned so that an upper front surface
portion of the lower panel of the pair is adjacent to a lower rear
surface portion of the upper panel of the pair at a laterally
extending juncture location; and b) providing a plurality of
spacing and locating devices and positioning these at spaced
locations along the juncture locations of the panels, with each
spacing and locating device comprising a spacing portion which is
in bearing engagement with the outside surface of the wall to
position the lower end portion of the upper panel of its related
pair and a positioning portion which locates relative positions
between some of the two panels and the device.
13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the positioning
portion of at least some of the spacing and locating devices
comprises a downwardly facing recess and an upper portion of a
lower panel of its related pair is inserted in the recess.
14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the positioning
portion comprises a retaining member extending downwardly from a
location adjacent to said recess, and an upper edge portion of the
panel is inserted to be adjacent to this retaining member.
15. The method as recited in claim 14, said positioning portion
comprises a support portion which has an upwardly facing support to
provide support for an adjacent panel surface, and utilizing said
support surface to support a lower end portion of the related
panel.
16. The method as recited in claim 12, further comprising
positioning an upwardly extending retaining member to define with
another member of the positioning portion an upwardly facing slot
and positioning a lower end portion of an adjacent panel in the
slot.
17. The method as recited in claim 12, comprising at least one
spacing and locating device which is positioned in bearing
relationship to an adjacent wall portion and has a downwardly
facing retaining member to retain an upper end of an adjustable
panel, and said upper end of the panel has a fastener extending
through the panel and through the spacing and retaining member to
extend into the wall so that the upper end of the panel is attached
to the wall.
18. A spacing and locating device adapted for use in mounting
panels to an outside surface of a wall in a manner to provide an
air space between the siding assembly and the wall so that moist
air in the air space is able to escape from the air space, where
the assembly comprises: a) a plurality of laterally aligned panels
having upper and lower panel edge portions and outside and inside
surfaces, b) said panels being located at vertically spaced
locations in a manner that each pair of upper and lower adjacent
panels are positioned so that an upper front surface portion of the
lower panel of the pair is adjacent to a lower rear surface portion
of the upper panel of the pair at a laterally extending juncture
location; said spacing and positioning device comprising; a) said
spacing and positioning device being adapted to be used as one a
plurality of said spacing and locating devices which are positioned
at spaced locations along the juncture locations of the panels; b)
each spacing and locating device comprising a spacing element which
is in bearing engagement with the outside surface of the wall to
space at least one of the panel from the outside surface of the
wall and a positioning portion to locate relative vertical location
of the device with at least one of the panels of an adjacent pair
of panels or relative location of two adjacent panels to each
other.
20. The spacing and locating device as recited in claim 18, wherein
said spacing and locating device comprises a spacing and locating
device designed to minimize heat transfer through the device to
reduce probability of a fire or the like damaging a structure, said
heat resistant device comprising a spacing section, with spacing
elements which are extending from said panel as said side portions,
said spacing elements comprising thin spacing portions which have a
small thickness dimension and a small edge contact region with the
outer surface of the wall to limit heat transfer.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Ser. No.
60/883,134, filed Jan. 2, 2007.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] a) Field of the Disclosure
[0003] The present disclosure relates to a system, method, and
spacing elements to provide open regions in wall structures to
alleviate the problem of moisture accumulating in the wall
structure. The disclosure also relates to the proper positioning of
siding panels on an exterior wall of a structure.
[0004] b) Background Art
[0005] The problem toward which this invention is directed is that
moisture will often collect within the wall structure of a home or
other structure. Accordingly, there are various devices for
creating vertical air spaces, which are between components of the
wall structure and which open to outside air, so that the interior
of the wall structure can dry out. Also, there are what are called
"breather boards" which permit the water to permeate out through
the breather board into an escape area that opens to outside
air.
SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0006] These relate to a panel siding assembly adapted to be
mounted to an outside surface of wall in a manner to provide an air
space between the siding assembly and the wall so that moist air in
the airspace is able to escape from the air space.
[0007] There is a plurality of laterally aligned panels which are
positioned adjacent to the outer wall surface in overlapping
relationship. These panels are spaced from the outer wall surface
by a plurality of spacing and locating devices that are positioned
at space locations where the upper and lower edges of the panels
are adjacent to one another. In one embodiment, the spacing
elements are made in a manner to reduce heat transfer from the
outer panels to the building structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along a vertical line of a
first embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing only a
portion of the first embodiment drawn to an enlarged scale;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a spacing element of the
first embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view showing the side of a
building structure with one form of the spacing elements located on
the structure;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but showing a
second embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 6 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 3 showing the
spacer of the second embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIGS. 2 and 5 showing
a third embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 8 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 6 showing the
spacing element of the third embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 showing
a fourth embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the spacer of the fourth
embodiment
[0018] FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 9 showing a
fifth embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the spacer, similar to FIG.
10 of the fifth embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a front elevational view showing a spacing
element of a sixth embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the spacer of FIG.
13;
[0022] FIGS. 13A and 14A are views similar to FIGS. 13 and 14,
respectively, but showing the various dimensional
relationships;
[0023] FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of a portion of a
building wall showing a seventh embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 15A is a front view of the spacing element of this
seventh embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 11, but showing only the
portion of the wall structure which is at one of the overlapping
locations of the two planks 16d;
[0026] FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16, but with the main
spacing member having its forward and rear surfaces formed so as to
provide better support for the plank;
[0027] FIG. 18 shows a spacing element of a ninth embodiment in its
pre-fold condition;
[0028] FIG. 19 is an isometric view showing the spacing element of
the ninth embodiment formed into its operating configuration;
[0029] FIG. 20 is a side-elevational view of the spacing element of
FIGS. 18 and 19;
[0030] FIG. 21A is a sectional-view taken through a lower part of
the wall structure and showing how the lowermost panel and its
spacing elements are installed;
[0031] FIG. 21B is a view similar to FIG. 21A but showing an upper
portion of the wall structure with the panels and spacing elements
being installed; and
[0032] FIG. 22 is a plan view similar to FIG. 4 showing the
positioning of the spacing elements of the ninth embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0033] The present disclosure is directed toward a panel siding
assembly adapted to be mounted to an outside surface of a wall to
provide an air space between the siding assembly and the wall so
that the moist air in the air space is able to escape from the air
space either the bottom or top (or both) of the siding layer.
[0034] This siding assembly comprises a plurality of laterally
aligned panels having upper and lower panel edge portions and outer
and inside surfaces. The panels are located at vertically spaced
locations in a manner that each pair of upper and lower adjacent
panels are positioned so that an upper front portion of the lower
panel of the pair is adjacent to a lower rear portion of the upper
panel of the pair at a laterally extending juncture location.
[0035] Then there is a plurality of spacing and locating devices
which are positioned at spaced locations along the juncture
locations. Each spacing and location device comprises a spacing
element which is in bearing engagement with the outside surface of
the wall to position the lower end portion of the upper panel of
its related pair and a positioning portion which positions the
upper portion of the lower panel of its related pair.
[0036] To describe these components in more detail, with reference
to FIG. 1, there is a main wall structure 10 which rests on a
foundation 11 with which a first embodiment of the present
invention is being used. The wall structure is typical of the prior
art and comprises 2-inch by 4-inch (nominally) wall studs 12 and
4-foot by 8-foot subsiding panels 14 which are nailed to the studs
12 and which form the outer wall section of the main wall
structure. These panels 14 could be plywood boards or some type of
composite panels. A typical house wrap (portions of which are shown
at 15 in FIG. 2) is placed over the panels 14. Then the tapered
siding planks 16 are nailed by the nails 17 that are driven through
the plank 16, the house wrap 15 and panels 14 and into the studs
12. These components 10 through 17 already exist in the prior
art.
[0037] The embodiments of the present invention relate to spacing
and positioning devices 18 also called elements. For convenience,
the several embodiments of the spacing and positioning elements or
devices 18 will simply be referred to as "spacing elements". Such
spacing element 18 of a first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and
3. These spacing elements are positioned between the planks 16 and
the panels 14. However, before describing the structure and
functions of the spacing elements 18, we will digress a moment and
discuss the way the siding planks 16 are conventionally nailed to
the wall structure 10, assuming that the spacing elements 18 are
not present.
[0038] It will be noted that each of the siding planks 16 is
tapered in its thickness in an upward direction so that it is
thicker at the bottom and thinner at the top. When the first plank
16' is placed against main wall structure 10 in the method of the
prior art, there are two workmen near opposite ends of the plank
16' who will hold the plank level, and then nail it into place,
this being followed by nailing along the length of that same plank
16'. Then the next plank 16' is positioned against the wall 10 at a
higher location so that its bottom edge portion overlaps the upper
edge portion of the lower plank 16'. Again, the two workmen have to
make sure the plank 16' is level.
[0039] Then the nails 17 are driven, as shown in FIG. 1, in the
lower part of the plank 17. It will be noted that the nails 17 are
not driven through the thinner upper part of the plank 16. The
reason for this is to allow each individual board to expand and
contract with changes in the moisture content (MC) of the wood
siding. Changing of the MC causes the wood to expand and contract.
Thus, the planks 16 may be positioned so that there is a small gap
19 left between the upper edge surface of the plank 16 and the
downwardly facing surface immediately above. If the wood siding
planks 16 were nailed at the top and bottom of each plant 16 or if
the upper edge surface 32 were installed in contact with the
downward facing surface of the spacing element, this could cause
the siding to crack or buckle.
[0040] With this prior art method having been described, we will
now turn our attention back to the spacing elements 18 of the first
embodiment. Reference is first made to FIG. 3. This spacing element
18 has the basic configuration of a rectangular prism with a recess
20 formed in the bottom front part of an upper spacing portion 21
and also a retaining member which may be in the shape of the finger
22 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The finger 22 and a lower positioning
portion 24 of the spacing element 18 can be considered to be a
positioning section 25, and these form a downwardly facing slot 26
there-between into which the upper edge portion 27 of the lower
plank fits.
[0041] To discuss the pattern of how the spacing elements 18 may be
deployed, reference is made to FIG. 4 which is an elevational front
view looking straight into the outer surface of the wall structure
having a window, with the spacing elements 18 in place, and (for
purposes of illustration) with the planks 16 being indicated only
schematically by dashed lines. As can be seen in FIG. 4 there are
arrows 28 which illustrates the flow of drier air which can pass
upwardly into and through the dead air space between panels 14 and
the siding planks 16.
[0042] One method of positioning the spacing elements 18 would be
to have their uppermost edges aligned with a reference line 28 and
then fastened to the wall structure 20 by nails. Of course,
alternate fastening methods, such as screws, bolts or adhesives
could also be utilized. The reference line could be a chalk-line
snapped along the outer portion of the wall structure, or could
possibly be a laser line from a laser level. Of course, those of
ordinary skill in the art would know how to align the spacing
elements 18 properly along the wall structure 12.
[0043] To describe how the spacing elements 18 can be used in
nailing the siding plank 16 in place, reference is first made to
FIG. 1. The lowermost siding plank 16' would have a temporary
attachment made between it and the lowermost spacing elements 18.
This could possibly be done by some adhesive, or possibly a small
positioning clip that would have two spring-loaded arms that could
grip the finger 22 and the outside surface of the lower part of the
plank 16'. Care would be taken so that with wood planks 16, the
nailed wood plank and the spacing element 18 would be fastened in
place to ensure the expansion gap 19 is attained. Then the
lowermost plank 16' and its associated spacing element 18 would be
nailed into place, with the nail being indicated at 17.
[0044] The next upper set of spacing elements 18 would then be
placed at laterally spaced locations over the upper edges of the
lowermost plank 16'. This could be done either before this first
plank 16' is put into place or after it has been nailed into
place.
[0045] Then the next plank 16' is put into place above the
lowermost plank 16' and it is nailed in the manner shown in FIG. 1.
The same procedure is used for subsequent planks 16. The lateral
spacing of the nailing and spacing would normally follow the siding
manufacturer's recommendations.
[0046] A second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. This second
embodiment is quite similar to the first embodiment of FIGS. 2 and
3. The components of this second embodiment which are the same as,
or similar to, corresponding components of the first embodiment
will be given like numerical designations with an "a" suffix
denoting those of the second embodiment.
[0047] This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in
that the finger member 22a is extended further downwardly and at
its lower end it has a forward and horizontally extending flat
positioning and support member 30a having an upper positioning
support surface 32a which is at a vertical location which is the
same as that of the lower surface 33a of the adjacent siding plank
16a which is to be positioned immediately above the lower adjacent
plank 16a.
[0048] Thus, with the several spacing and positioning members 18a
in place along the same horizontal row, the two workmen could put
the next plank 16a in place with proper horizontal alignment, and
thus minimize the need for using a level instrument or tape or the
like to properly position the plank. As another benefit, it would
be possible for a single workman to lift the plank and put it into
place properly aligned.
[0049] A third embodiment of the disclosure is shown in FIGS. 7 and
8. Components of this third embodiment which are the same as, or
similar to, components of the earlier two embodiments will be given
like numerical designations, with a "b" suffix distinguishing those
of the third embodiment.
[0050] This third embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 has a configuration
similar to the second embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6. It differs in
that in addition to having the horizontally extending positioning
and support member 30b that connects to the finger 22b, the member
30b has at its forward end an upturned upwardly extending planar
retaining member 34b. Thus there is formed an upwardly facing
U-shaped slot 36b.
[0051] An advantage of this third embodiment is that the plank 16b
could be put in place prior to nailing, and would be more reliably
retained in its installed position while the nailing of the lower
part of plank 16b takes place.
[0052] A fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in
FIGS. 9 and 10. Components of this fourth embodiment which are the
same as, or similar to, components of any of the first, second and
third embodiments will be given like numerical designations, with a
"c" suffix distinguishing those of the fourth embodiment from other
embodiments.
[0053] This fourth embodiment is arranged for being used with
planks 16c made with a composite material, which could be made of
various ingredients, including possibly cement or cement-like
ingredients. Such composite siding materials are common in the art.
As shown herein, there is no taper in the planks 16c. Also, since
the composite material does not expand in the presence of moisture,
there is no requirement for an expansion gap 19 for the fiber
cement lap siding. In FIG. 9 there is shown a lower plank 16c' that
has an upper edge portion 37c, with a spacing element 18c
positioned at its upper back surface. This spacing element 18c
comprises a main body portion 38c shaped as a rectangular prism,
and at the upper end of this body portion 38c, the spacing member
18c further comprises a positioning section generally designated
40c.
[0054] This positioning section 40c has an upper horizontal rear
portion 42c that is extending forwardly from an upper edge of the
body portion 38c. At the forward edge of the member 42c there is a
downwardly extending vertically aligned connecting member 44c that
is connected to and extends downwardly from the forward edge of the
member 42c. At the lower edge of the member 44c there is a forward
horizontally aligned positioning member 46c, and at the forward
edge of the member 46c there is a vertically upwardly extending
retaining member 48c. The body 38c and the components 42c, 44c, 46c
and 48c can be formed as one integral piece, and could be made, for
example, as a plastic member possibly formed by a process including
injection molding.
[0055] In the operating position of FIG. 9, there is a lower plank
16c' and the spacing member 38c is mounted to the top part of the
siding plank 16c' in a manner that the upper part of the plank 16c'
is positioned in an inverted U-shaped slot formed by the body
member 38c, the horizontal member 42c and the vertically and
downwardly extending member 44c. Then the components 44c, 46c and
48c form an upwardly facing U-shaped recess 50c that receives the
lower edge portion 52c of the next plank 16c'.
[0056] To describe now the manner in which the fourth embodiment is
utilized, prior to positioning the lowermost plank member 16c',
several of the spacing members 18c are mounted to the upper edge
portion 36c of the plank 16c as shown in FIG. 9. Then a nail is
driven through both the upper edge portion 37c and also through the
body portion 38c of the spacing member 18c, with this nail then
extending through the panel 14c and into the stud (not shown in
FIG. 9). Then when the next plank 16' is to be installed, the lower
edge portion of the next plank 16c' is positioned so that it is
supported in the recess 50c and extends upwardly therefrom. In this
position, the head of the nail 29c is thus hidden from sight. Also,
the spacing member 18c of FIG. 10 could be designed allowing the
member 46c to snap off from the member 44c so there is no visual
remains of the spacer.
[0057] The spacing members 18c may also be manufactured in a tape
or string application with predetermined intervals assigned to the
stud layout for faster installation.
[0058] FIGS. 11 and 12 show a fifth embodiment. Components of this
fifth embodiment which are the same as, or similar to, components
of earlier embodiments will be given like numerical designations
with a "d" suffix distinguishing those of this fifth
embodiment.
[0059] This fifth embodiment is similar in some respects to the
fourth embodiment and it has the two positioning members 42d and
44d. However, the horizontally extending member 46c, and the
upwardly extending retaining member 48c, have been eliminated. This
fifth embodiment could be used in various situations. For example,
in this fifth embodiment there is no portion of the spacing element
which is visible from the outside.
[0060] A sixth embodiment of the present disclosure will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. Components of this
sixth embodiment which are similar (or the same as) to components
in the earlier embodiments will be given like numerical
designations, with an "e" suffix added to distinguish those of the
sixth embodiment.
[0061] The basic configuration of this embodiment is similar to the
first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, but with some modifications.
As in the first embodiment, there is a spacing element 18e which
has a recess 20e formed in the bottom forward part of the spacing
portions 21e and a retaining finger 22e. The finger 22e and a lower
positioning portion 24e at a lower rear portion of the spacing
element 18e form a downwardly facing slot 26e. However, the spacing
element 18e of this sixth embodiment differs from the first
embodiment in several ways.
[0062] First, the lower downwardly extending positioning portion
24e has a lowermost surface 60e which, instead of being
substantially horizontally aligned, is formed as a forwardly and
upwardly facing slanted surface 60e having a lower rear edge 62e
and an upper front edge 64e. Thus, the lower positioning portion
24e has a wedge shape and is able to have its lower rear edge 62e
enter into an area between a rear portion of the panel and the
upper portion of a plank, so that as the spacing element 18e is
pushed downwardly, the slanted surface 60e has a wedging action
which pushes the upper edge of the plank forwardly from the back
panels.
[0063] The spacing element or device 18e of this sixth embodiment
also comprises a deflectable locating member 66e which has a rear
end connecting location 68e where it connects to a forward surface
70e of the lower positioning portion 24e. The deflectable locating
member 66e extends forwardly with a moderate upward slant.
[0064] This deflecting locating member 66e functions in a manner
that when the spacing element 18e is pushed downwardly to engage
the upper edge of the plank, first the plank is deflected
forwardly, and then with further downward travel of the spacing
element 18e, the upper edge of the plank engages the deflectable
locating member 66e. The member 66e is sufficiently stiff so that
it will moderately resist a further downward pushing force, and the
person who is inserting the spacing element 18e will feel this
resistance which will be a signal to that person that the
positioning element 18e is at the proper elevation to form the gap,
as shown in FIG. 2 at 19, into which the upper edge of the plank
can expand when it is absorbing moisture.
[0065] Also, the forward surface 72e of the upper portion of the
spacing element 18e has a slight downward and forward slant which
is a very moderate deviation from a vertical plane so that the
surface 72e would be at substantially the same slant as the upper
rear surface portion of the plank that is being installed.
[0066] FIGS. 13A and 14A correspond to FIGS. 13 and 14, but without
the numerical designations, and these illustrate various
dimensional representations of the disclosure in one form. These
are placed on separate figures (i.e. FIGS. 13A and 14A) simply to
make the drawings less cluttered. In this particular embodiment,
the dimensions "a" through "h" which are shown are the
following:
[0067] Dimension a 21/4''
[0068] Dimension b 11/2''
[0069] Dimension c 3/8''
[0070] Dimension d 1/2''
[0071] Dimension e 1/4''
[0072] Dimension f 3/8''
[0073] Dimension g 3/8''
[0074] Dimension h 3/8''
[0075] Obviously, each of these dimensions could be selectively
increased or decreased, depending upon a variety of considerations.
For example, the dimension "h" which is the depth of the thickness
dimension of the lower positioning portion end 24e could be
modified depending on the desired depth of the spacing. Also, the
relative dimensions could be modified, so that the vertical
dimension, the lateral dimension and the forward to rearward
thickness dimension could be in different sizes and ratios of
dimensions. In general, any one of these dimensions or the ratios
of any of these dimensions could be increased by 20%, 50%, 100%,
200%, 300%, 400%, 500%, or greater depending upon various
circumstances, or decreased by 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%,
20% or less. These same dimensions and dimension ranges could also
apply to the other embodiments.
[0076] Reference will now be made to FIGS. 15 and 15A to describe a
seventh embodiment of the present invention. This seventh
embodiment is used with a type of siding planks which are commonly
identified as "shiplap". In FIG. 15, there is shown a portion of a
siding structure 80f, comprising two adjacent vertically aligned
planks 82f, which are placed in overlapping relationship. These
planks 82f have their lengthwise axes vertically aligned, and FIG.
15 is a sectional view taken along a horizontal plane cutting
through the two planks 82f, showing the components being spaced
from their operating position a short distance from one
another.
[0077] Each plank 82f comprises a main plank portion 84f which in
cross sections has a rectangular configuration. Each plank 84f has
a pair of oppositely positioned side edges. One side has a back
laterally extending edge extension 86f which forms with the main
body portion 84f an adjacent front edge recess 88f, and at the
opposite end there is a front edge extension 90f having an adjacent
rear recess 92f.
[0078] It can be seen that in their erected operating position,
each forward edge extension 90f of one plank fits into a front
recess 88f of an adjacent plank. In like manner, the back edge
extension 86f fits into a recess 92f in overlapping
relationship.
[0079] The seventh embodiment comprises a spacing element 94f which
comprises a main body portion 96f which has a configuration of a
rectangular prism having a forward surface 98f and a rear surface
100f.
[0080] Each spacing element 94f also comprises a positioning member
102f which is shown somewhat schematically as having a planar
configuration. Each positioning member 102f comprises a rear edge
portion 104f which attaches to the forward surface 98f of the main
body portion 96f, and a forward edge portion 106f which extends
into the space which is formed by a surface 108f of a recess 88f
and an adjacent surface 110f of an adjacent back edge extension
86f. Thus, the positioning member 102f is retained between these
surfaces 110f and 92f. Other configurations of the positioning
member 102f could be used.
[0081] Reference is now made to FIGS. 16 and 17 to show an eighth
embodiment which is shown in FIG. 17. This eighth embodiment of
FIG. 17 is similar in some respects to the fifth embodiment shown
in FIGS. 11 and 12, but with a slight modification. Accordingly,
the basic components of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 11 are
shown in FIG. 16, but with adding a few changes with other
numerical designations that are not present in FIG. 11, and all of
these have a "d" suffix. Components of FIG. 17 which are similar to
(or the same as) corresponding components in FIGS. 16, 11 and 12,
will be given like numerical designations, but with a "g" suffix
distinguishing those of the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 17.
[0082] In FIG. 16, there are shown two overlapping planks 16d
having the spacers 18d. The spacer 18d has the spacing portion 21d
and the positioning portion 25d. The positioning portion 25d in
turn comprises a horizontally extending member 42d and a vertically
downwardly extending member 44d. The spacing portion 21d can be
considered as having a forward surface 110d and a back surface
112d. Each panel 16d can be considered as having a back surface
114d.
[0083] In the configuration of FIG. 16, the two surfaces 110d and
112d are parallel to one another. In like manner, the rear surface
114d is substantially parallel to the front surface 116d. The
result is that there is a small downwardly expanding gap 117d
between the surface 110d and the surface 118d. The problem with
this is that sometimes when a force is exerted against one of the
planks 16d, parts of the plank 16d, such as corner portions which
may be susceptible to higher loads, could break off.
[0084] To alleviate this, a change was made to that embodiment, and
this is shown in FIG. 17. In discussing FIG. 17, the same numerical
designations will be used as in the discussion of FIG. 16, but with
a "g" suffix distinguishing those of this modified version of FIG.
17. Accordingly, a verbal description of each of the components
that are also shown in FIG. 16 is not given, and reference is made
only to those components which have been modified.
[0085] In FIG. 17, the front and back surfaces 110g and 112g of the
spacing portion 21d are modified so that these do not run parallel
to one another but have at least one of these surfaces 110g and
112g slanted slightly from a parallel configuration so that each
spacing portion 21g is wider at the base than it is at the top.
Thus, the back surface 112g will be bearing against the front
surface of the wall 114g, and the front surface 110g of the spacing
portion 21g is parallel to and fitting against the rear surface
118g of its adjacent plank 16g.
[0086] A ninth embodiment of the present invention will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 18 through 22.
[0087] In recent years, there has been a growing concern of the
problem of protecting homes from brush fires and other fire
hazards. As a result, many building envelopes are moving toward
exterior fire barriers for protection against such structure fires,
and fire resistant sidings and non-combustible sidings are already
in the market. However, in some cases, the sidings transfer
excessive heat to the structure. This results in the combustion of
the subsiding components, and then leads to the structure fire
itself. This ninth embodiment is designed to reduce heat transfer
from the siding to the subsiding, which would delay combustion of
the subsiding.
[0088] Components of this ninth embodiment which are the same as,
or similar to, components of earlier components will be given
like-numerical designations, with an "h" suffix distinguishing
those of the present embodiment. Thus, with reference to FIG. 21,
there are, as in prior embodiments, the wall structure 10h, panels
16h, the spacing elements 18h, and as needed nails 17h.
[0089] In accordance with some of the fundamental goals of the
embodiments of the invention, the spacing elements 18h perform
their spacing and positioning functions. However, beyond this the
spacing elements are designed to reduce heat transfer from the
siding to the subsiding so that this would delay combustion of the
subsiding.
[0090] More specifically, in addition to providing the dead-air
space which itself reduces the heat transfer, this ninth embodiment
reduces direct contact of much of the structure of the spacing
elements with the panels and the subsiding and further assists
circulation of air by means of through openings.
[0091] To describe the spacing elements 18h, reference is first
made to FIG. 18 which shows a "laid-flat condition" (or in other
terms a "pre-folded condition") spacing element 18h. This spacing
element 18h comprises a rectangular center portion 120h having four
sides. There are three flat support flanges 122h, 124h and 126h
which are joined at juncture locations 128h of the rectangular
center portion.
[0092] Then there is a fourth flat flange 130h which functions as a
positioning member 130h, and this is also connected to the
rectangular center portion at its juncture location 132.
[0093] To form this pre-fold configuration of the spacing member
18h into its operating configuration, the three support flanges are
bent 90.degree. in one direction about their respective juncture
locations 128h to the configuration shown in FIG. 19. Then the
fourth flange 130h is bent 90.degree. in the opposite direction
along its juncture line 130h to form the positioning member 130h.
The center plate portion 120h has a circular opening 134h which
functions as a nail access opening. Also the flanges 122h through
126h and 130h have openings 136h for ventilation.
[0094] This spacing element 118h can be made from a corrosion
resistant metal. Alternatively, it could possibly be manufactured
from materials such as fire-treated products or non-combustible
materials with a high melting temperature. Obviously, the
manufacture of this spacing member 18h from its pre-fold condition
could possibly be accomplished in other ways. Also, the size and
relative dimensions of these spacing elements 18h could, of course,
vary substantially, depending upon the characteristics of the
structure with which these are used and other factors.
[0095] To describe now the manner in which the siding panels of
this ninth embodiment are applied to the wall structure 10h,
reference is made to FIGS. 21A, 21B, and 22. In FIG. 22, the
location of the spacing elements 18h are shown, and these are the
same as, or similar to, the locations associated with the earlier
embodiments.
[0096] FIG. 21A shows the lower-most panel 16h is installed by
first providing two or more of the spacing elements 18h along with
a lower spacing member 138h and nailing these to the wall 10h. Then
the lowermost panel 16h is placed in a position shown in FIG. 21A,
and the spacing element 18h is positioned at the top edge portion
of the panel 16h with the spacing element 18h being supported by
the positioning flange 130h. Then the upper end of the panel 18h
and the spacing element 18h are nailed in place. The same procedure
is followed as shown in FIG. 21B.
[0097] Various modifications could be made to these embodiments
within the broader teachings of the present invention.
[0098] While the embodiments of the present invention are
illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the
illustrative embodiments are described in detail, it is not the
intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the
scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages
and modifications within the scope of the appended claims will
readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its
broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details,
representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples
shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such
details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants'
general concept.
* * * * *