U.S. patent application number 13/557203 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-15 for siding having backer.
Invention is credited to Larry R. Fairbanks, Paul J. Mollinger, Paul R. Pelfrey.
Application Number | 20120285109 13/557203 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46512935 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120285109 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mollinger; Paul J. ; et
al. |
November 15, 2012 |
SIDING HAVING BACKER
Abstract
A siding-plus-backer paneling unit that may provide a valley in
the backer for improved adhesion strength, a ridge on another side
of the backer for enabling ventilation, and a recess in an end of
the backer for improved mating of adjacent paneling units.
Inventors: |
Mollinger; Paul J.;
(Blacklick, OH) ; Pelfrey; Paul R.; (Wheelersburg,
OH) ; Fairbanks; Larry R.; (Columbus, OH) |
Family ID: |
46512935 |
Appl. No.: |
13/557203 |
Filed: |
July 24, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11320169 |
Dec 28, 2005 |
8225567 |
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13557203 |
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11234073 |
Sep 23, 2005 |
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11320169 |
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10688750 |
Oct 17, 2003 |
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11234073 |
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60640158 |
Dec 29, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/302.4 ;
52/519 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 13/0875 20130101;
Y10T 428/24612 20150115; E04F 13/0864 20130101; E04F 13/0871
20130101; Y10T 428/24504 20150115; Y10T 428/2457 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/302.4 ;
52/519 |
International
Class: |
E04F 13/21 20060101
E04F013/21; E04B 1/64 20060101 E04B001/64; E04F 17/00 20060101
E04F017/00 |
Claims
1. A siding panel unit for a wall of a structure, comprising: a
vinyl panel; and a backing portion secured to said vinyl panel,
said backing portion comprised of: a first side secured to and
adjacent said vinyl panel; and a second side adapted to be situated
adjacent to said wall; wherein a recess is formed on said first
side of said backing portion, which is adapted to receive a vinyl
panel of an adjacent panel unit such that said vinyl panel of said
adjacent panel unit is situated between said vinyl panel and said
first side of said backing portion.
2. The siding panel unit of claim 1 wherein said first side
comprises at least one valley adapted to receive adhesive for
securing said backing portion to said vinyl panel.
3. The siding panel unit of claim 1 wherein said vinyl panel
comprises a cellulosic composite.
4. The siding panel unit of claim 1 wherein said backing portion is
comprised of foamed plastic.
5. The siding panel unit of claim 1 wherein said second side
comprises at least one ridge adapted to space said second side
apart from said wall to enable ventilation between said backing
portion and said wall once said panel unit is secured to said
wall.
6. The siding panel unit of claim 1 wherein said second side
comprises at least one channel adapted to facilitate water
escape.
7. The siding panel unit of claim 1 wherein said second side
comprises at least one ridge and at least one channel relative to a
primary surface, said at least one ridge and said at least one
channel adapted to space said second side apart from said wall once
said siding panel unit is secured to said wall.
8. The siding panel unit of claim 1 wherein said recess has a width
of about 0.05 inch.
9. The siding panel unit of claim 1 wherein said recess has a depth
of about 2.0 inches.
10. The siding panel unit of claim 1 wherein said recess starts
about 1.250 inches from a top of said backing portion.
11. A siding panel unit for a wall of a structure, comprising: a
facing panel; and a backing portion secured to said facing panel
such that a relief zone is formed along an edge of said panel unit
between said facing panel and said backing portion, said relief
zone adapted to receive a facing panel of an adjacent panel unit
such that said facing panel of said adjacent panel unit is situated
between said facing panel and said backing portion of said siding
panel unit.
12. The siding panel unit of claim 11 wherein said backing portion
comprises at least one valley adapted to receive adhesive for
securing said backing portion to said facing panel.
13. The siding panel unit of claim 11 wherein said backing portion
is comprised of foamed plastic.
14. The siding panel unit of claim 11 wherein said facing panel is
comprised of vinyl.
15. The siding panel unit of claim 11 wherein said backing portion
comprises at least one ridge adapted to space said backing portion
apart from said wall to enable ventilation between said backing
portion and said wall once said panel unit is secured to said
wall.
16. The siding panel unit of claim 11 wherein said backing portion
comprises at least one channel adapted to facilitate water
escape.
17. The siding panel unit of claim 11 wherein said relief zone has
a width of about 0.05 inch.
18. The siding panel unit of claim 11 wherein said relief zone has
a depth of about 2.0 inches.
19. The siding panel unit of claim 11 wherein said relief zone
starts about 1.250 inches from a top of said backing portion.
20. A siding panel unit for a wall of a structure, comprising: a
vinyl panel; and a foamed plastic backing portion secured to said
vinyl panel, said backing portion comprising at least one ridge or
at least one channel relative to a primary surface, said at least
one ridge or said at least one channel adapted to space said
backing portion apart from said wall once said siding panel unit is
secured to said wall; wherein a relief zone is formed along an edge
of said panel unit between said vinyl panel and said backing
portion, said relief zone adapted to receive a vinyl panel of an
adjacent panel unit such that said vinyl panel of said adjacent
panel unit is situated between said vinyl panel and said backing
portion of said siding panel unit.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 11/320,169, filed Dec. 28, 2005, which claims the priority
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/640,158, filed Dec.
29, 2004, and which is also a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/234,073, filed Sep. 23, 2005, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/688,750, filed
Oct. 17, 2003, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in
its entirety.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to panels, such as
vinyl siding, cellulosic composite siding, and fiber cement siding,
and more particularly to panels having backers applied thereto,
such backers for example comprising foam material. Examples of
panels that may benefit from the present invention include siding
panels, wall panels, and other similar, suitable, or conventional
types of panels for building structures.
[0003] This application incorporates by reference U.S. Pat. No.
6,321,500 as background for the present application. By way of
background, in order to enhance the thermal insulation of building
structures, it is known to provide one or more layers or panels of
insulating material between the vinyl facing panel and the building
structure. The backing may also improve the structural
characteristics of the siding panel. Known insulated siding systems
exist in many different forms. For instance, it is known to nail
large sheets of insulating material to the building structure and
then install the siding over the insulating material. Another
system places a panel of insulation material in a slot behind the
vinyl facing panel. Yet another system pours foam filler into the
back of a vinyl facing panel such that the foam filler conforms to
the geometry of the vinyl facing panel.
[0004] The present invention provides an improved backer for use
with panels. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention may
include one or more new features not present in prior backers.
[0005] First, one or more "valleys" or recesses may be formed in a
first side of the backer which adheres to the siding. These valleys
may be useful for providing increased surface area in which glue or
other adhesive can flow and thereby increase the adhesion strength
of the backer to the siding panel.
[0006] Second, one or more ridges may be formed in a second side of
the backer which is facing the wall of a building structure upon
which the siding is being applied. The ridges may protrude slightly
from the second side of the backer to create ventilation space
between the non-ridged areas of the second side of the backer and
the wall. Providing for ventilation may help to prevent or limit
any accumulation of moisture between the wall and the backer.
[0007] Third, a mating recess may be formed in an end of the backer
so that an adjacent siding panel with backer can be overlapped more
easily. In this manner, better fitting seams may be formed between
adjacent panels.
[0008] The present invention may be an improvement over known
backing systems. One exemplary embodiment of the present invention
may provide a siding unit, which is comprised of backing and a
facing panel. Some of the advantages of the backed siding may
include improved energy efficiency, reduced air infiltration,
reduced curvature in the siding panels, and increased ease of
installation. In addition, one embodiment of the backed siding of
the present invention may have improved interlocking pieces and
improved backing.
[0009] In addition to the novel features and advantages mentioned
above, other features and advantages of the present invention will
be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings
and exemplary embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an assembly including a
first backed siding unit.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the siding unit shown in
FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of an assembly including a
second siding unit.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of an assembly including a
third siding unit.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a wall panel unit.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of another wall panel
unit.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an assembly of paneling
units of FIG. 6.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a designated portion of
FIG. 7.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of a third wall panel
unit.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a partial side elevation view of an assembly
including the paneling units shown in FIG. 9.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a fourth wall panel
unit.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a rear elevation view of an exemplary embodiment
of a paneling unit of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 13A is a sectional view taken along section 13A-13A of
FIG. 12, more clearly showing features of an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 13B is a partial sectional view of the first side of
the backer of FIG. 12, more clearly showing features of an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment
of a backer for a paneling unit of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 15 is a rear elevation view of an exemplary embodiment
of a paneling unit of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment
of an entire paneling unit that includes a relief zone.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)
[0027] The present invention is directed to a backed paneling unit.
FIGS. 1 through 11 illustrate exemplary embodiments of a paneling
unit that may incorporate features of the present invention. FIGS.
1 and 2 show a siding unit 10 with two rows of siding.
Nevertheless, it should be understood that a paneling unit of the
present invention may be manufactured with any desired number of
rows.
[0028] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the siding unit 10 includes backing
portion 20 ("backer") and at least one facing or cover panel or
portion 30 ("siding panel"). For example, the backing portion 20
may be comprised of a base of either expanded or extruded
polystyrene foam. However, it should be recognized that the backing
portion 20 may be comprised of any sufficiently rigid material,
including, but not limited to, foam, fiberglass, cardboard, and
other similar, suitable, or conventional materials. Any suitable
means may be used to obtain the shape of the backing portion 20. In
an exemplary embodiment, the shape of the backing portion 20 may be
obtained by extrusion through a predetermined die configuration
and/or by cutting such as with a power saw or other cutting
devices.
[0029] The backing portion 20 may be glued or otherwise laminated
or adhered to the inside of the cover panel 30. For example, an
adhesive may be used to bond a portion of a backed portion 20 to a
portion of the inside of a facing panel 30.
[0030] In addition, the facing portion 30 may include an attachment
strip 32 (e.g., a nailing strip), a tongue 34, and a groove 36. The
facing panel 30 of the present invention has a portion 35 that
rearwardly extends to attachment strip 32. The portion 35, alone or
in combination with attachment strip 32, substantially covers the
end or tip of the backing portion 20. More particularly, the
portion 35 wraps around and abuts or is substantially adjacent to
the end or tip of the backing portion 20. As a result, the portion
35 protects the end or tip of the backing portion 20 from damage,
particularly during shipping and installation. In this example, the
attachment strip 32 is substantially in the same plane and parallel
to an adjacent portion of the rear side of the backing portion 20.
A channel 37 on the bottom portion of the backing portion 20 may be
adapted to interlock with, overlap, and/or extend over the nailing
strip 32 of the facing panel 30 of a substantially similar siding
unit 10. The nailing strip (also called a nailing hem) 32 may have
a plurality of openings for receiving fasteners. Nails or any other
suitable mechanical fastening means may be extended through
apertures in the nailing strip 32 in order to secure the facing
panel 30 to a building structure. As is shown in FIG. 1, the tongue
34 is adapted to fit in the groove 36 of another siding panel when
installed on a building structure. Likewise, the groove 36 is
adapted to receive the tongue 34 of a substantially similar siding
panel when installed on a building structure. The tongue-and-groove
connection may also be referred to as a hanger section.
[0031] The top or face portion of the siding unit 10 may have a
facing panel 30, which completely covers the backing portion 20. A
benefit of this feature is that the backing portion 20 is protected
from breakage that may occur in shipping, handling, or installation
if not substantially covered with a facing panel 30.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a siding unit 40 in which the
backing portion 50 extends into the groove 66. The tongue 64 is
adapted to fit into the groove 66 of an adjacent siding unit. The
unit also has a nailing hem 62, which may or may not have an
aperture for fastening the siding unit down. A channel 67 on the
bottom portion of the backing portion 50 is adapted to interlock
with, overlap, and/or cover the nailing strip 62 of the facing
panel 60 of a substantially similar siding unit 40.
[0033] In FIGS. 3 through 6, the facing panels 60, 100, 140, and
180, respectively, have flat top surfaces that are substantially
parallel to the structure on which the paneling unit is adapted to
be installed. In these examples, the facing panels have regularly
space indentures or recessed portions 70, 110, 150, and 190,
respectively.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a wall panel unit. The siding
unit 80 has a backing portion 90 and a facing panel 100. The facing
panel 100 includes an attachment strip or hem 102, a tongue 104,
and a groove 106. In this embodiment, the facing panel 100
substantially covers the top end or tip and the bottom end or tip
of the backing portion 90. The tongue 104 extends around and abuts
or is substantially adjacent to the top end or tip of the backing
portion 90. Also, the groove 106 wraps around and abuts or is
substantially adjacent to the bottom end or tip of the backing
portion 90. A terminal portion of the groove 106 extends away from
a channel 107 on the rear side of the bottom portion of the backing
portion 90. The channel 107 may be adapted to interlock with,
overlap, and/or extend over the nailing strip 102 of the facing
panel 100 of a substantially similar siding unit 80. The channel
107 may provide a sufficient amount of clearance for the top of a
mechanical fastener such as a nail, which may extend through the
nailing strip 102 of an adjacent siding unit 80.
[0035] FIG. 5 represents an exemplary embodiment of a wall panel
unit 120. The paneling unit 120 has a backing portion 130 and a
facing panel 140. The facing panel 140 includes an attachment strip
or hem 142, a tongue 144, and a groove 146. This embodiment of the
facing panel 140 also substantially covers the top end or tip and
the bottom end or tip of the backing portion 130. In this example,
the tongue 144 extends around and abuts or is substantially
adjacent to the bottom end or tip of the backing portion 130, and
the groove 146 wraps around and abuts or is substantially adjacent
to the top end or tip of the backing portion 130. A terminal
portion of the facing panel 140 may extend around the bottom end or
tip of the backing portion 130 and into a channel on the rear side
of the bottom portion of the backing portion 130. The channel may
be adapted to interlock with, overlap, and/or extend over the
nailing strip 142 of the facing panel 140 of a substantially
similar paneling unit 120. The channel may provide a sufficient
amount of clearance for the top of a mechanical fastener such as a
nail, which may extend through the nailing strip 142 of an adjacent
paneling unit 120.
[0036] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a paneling unit 160 that may
incorporate the features of the present invention. The paneling
unit 160 has a backing portion 170 and a facing panel 180. The
facing panel 180 includes an attachment strip or hem 182, a groove
184, a tongue 185, and another tongue 186. This is another
embodiment in which the facing panel 180 substantially covers the
top end or tip and the bottom end or tip of the backing portion
170. In this example, the groove 184 is formed between the nailing
strip 182 and the tongue 185. Both the groove 184 and the tongue
185 abut or are substantially adjacent to the top end or tip of the
backing portion 170. On the other hand, the tongue 186 extends
around and abuts or is substantially adjacent to the bottom end or
tip of the backing portion 170. As shown in the example, a channel
may be formed on the rear side of the bottom portion of the backing
portion 170. The channel may be adapted to interlock with, overlap,
and/or extend over the nailing strip 182 of the facing panel 180 of
a substantially similar paneling unit 160. The channel may provide
a sufficient amount of clearance for the top of a mechanical
fastener such as a nail, which may extend through the nailing strip
182 of an adjacent paneling unit 160. Optionally, the facing panel
180 may extend around the bottom end or tip of the backing portion
130 and into the channel.
[0037] The paneling unit of FIG. 6 is adapted to be connected to
adjacent, substantially similar paneling units as shown in FIG. 7.
A designated portion of FIG. 7 is shown in FIG. 8. The tongue 186
of one paneling unit is situated in the groove 184 of an adjacent
paneling unit. A fastener 183 is shown in an aperture of the
nailing strip or hem 182.
[0038] FIGS. 9 through 11 illustrate some other embodiments of
paneling units that may incorporate the present invention. FIG. 9
shows a wall panel unit 200 that is comprised of a facing panel 210
and a backing portion 220. FIG. 10 shows a fastener 230 connecting
adjacent paneling units 200 together. A wall panel unit 240
comprising a facing panel 250 is shown in FIG. 11. It should be
recognized that the wall panel unit 240 may include a backing
portion.
[0039] FIGS. 12 through 15 show the three features of one exemplary
embodiment of the present invention as may be incorporated into any
of the above described paneling units. As shown in FIG. 14, a
backer 400 is comprised of a first side 402 to be applied to a
siding portion and a second side 404 to be applied to a wall of a
structure. In the first side 402 there are formed grooves or
valleys 406 for receiving adhesive when the lamination step is
performed to unite the siding cover portion to the backer portion
of the paneling unit. The valleys can be practically any cross
section shape. In an exemplary embodiment the valleys may be "v"
shaped grooves of about 0.1016 inch radius curvature and about
0.0625 inch depth. Larger or smaller grooves of various shapes are
within the scope of the present invention. The valleys may be
formed in the backer at the same time the backer is formed, from a
mold for example. By providing these valleys, the adhesive used to
apply the backer to the cover portion, is given a greater surface
area within which to flow in order to provide greater adhesion
strength between the backer and the siding cover portion.
[0040] In FIG. 13A, the second side 404 of the backer of the
present invention is shown in greater detail. In particular, FIG.
13A is a partial sectional view of the backer along line 13A-13A in
FIG. 12. Ridges 408 are formed in the backer 400 to provide a
ventilation space between the second side of the backer and the
wall of a structure to which it is secured. These ridges 408 may be
used in conjunction with water escape channels 410 to prevent
moisture build-up in the paneling units. The ridges in a preferred
embodiment may be about 0.045 inch high off the surface of the
backer and about 0.5 inch wide. Larger or smaller ridges of various
shapes are within the scope of the present invention. On the other
hand, FIG. 13B is a partial sectional view of side 402 of the
backer, which includes the aforementioned grooves or valleys 406
for receiving adhesive.
[0041] In FIG. 14, a recessed or relief zone 412 of the backer 400
is provided to enhance the fit between adjacent paneling units. By
providing a slightly recessed zone of backer material an end of an
adjacent backer may better overlap the recessed zone to provide an
improved fit between adjacent backers. In a preferred embodiment of
the present invention the recessed zone may be about 1.2784 inches
long and about 0.100 inch wide along the profile. Larger or smaller
relief zones of various shapes are within the scope of the present
invention and may be formed into the backer at the same time the
backer is being formed by use of a mold designed to the desired
shape for example.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 12, side 402 of backer 400 may also include
at least one recessed or relief zone 414 to enhance the fit between
adjacent paneling units. Relief zone 414 may be adapted to receive
an edge of an adjacent facing panel to provide an improved lap
joint. Optionally, relief zone 412 may be contiguous with relief
zone 414. In this example, relief zone 414 starts approximately
1.250 inches from the top of the backer, and it is approximately
0.050 inch wide and approximately 2.0 inches deep. Nevertheless,
larger or smaller relief zones of various shapes are within the
scope of the present invention and may, for example, be formed into
the backer at the same time the backer is being formed by use of a
mold designed to the desired shape. Such as shown in FIG. 15, each
edge of a backer may optionally include a relief zone similar to
relief zone 414.
[0043] The top or face portion of the paneling units may be smooth
or may have any number of finishes that are typically known by
those in the art of manufacturing paneling. The finish may add
contour and texture to simulate the appearance of wooden
paneling.
[0044] The paneling units of the present invention may be of
various lengths, heights, and thicknesses. The particular
dimensions of a panel of the present invention may be selected to
suit a particular application. Some exemplary embodiments of a
paneling unit of the present invention may be approximately 15 to
18 inches in height. However, as just mentioned, it should also be
recognized that a paneling unit of the present invention may have
any desired dimensions including a height up to or in excess of 50
inches.
[0045] The paneling units as described herein may be formed from a
polymer such as a vinyl material. Other materials such as
polypropylene, polyethylene, other plastics and polymers, polymer
composites (such as polymer reinforced with fibers or other
particles of glass, graphite, wood, flax, other cellulosic
materials, or other inorganic or organic materials), metals (such
as aluminum or polymer coated metal), or other similar or suitable
materials may also be used. The paneling may be molded, extruded,
roll-formed from a flat sheet, or formed by any other suitable
manufacturing technique.
[0046] Any embodiment of the present invention may include any of
the optional or preferred features of the other embodiments of the
present invention. The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are
not intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope
of the invention. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and
described in order to explain the principles of the present
invention so that others skilled in the art may practice the
invention. Having shown and described exemplary embodiments of the
present invention, those skilled in the art will realize that many
variations and modifications may be made to affect the described
invention. Many of those variations and modifications will provide
the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimed
invention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit the invention
only as indicated by the scope of the claims.
* * * * *