Patent ID: 8322103
Filing Date: 2012-12-04
Classification: E04F

Abstract:
1. A suspension system for securing siding to an underlying substrate, the siding including a plurality of panels each panel extending horizontally along an x-axis, vertically along a y-axis, and being capable of movement out of plane relative to the substrate along a z-axis, said suspension system comprising: a) first continuous support means underlying a bottom edge of a siding panel holding said bottom edge at a first distance from the substrate and supporting the siding panel, said first continuous support means being secured directly to the underlying substrate, said first continuous support means comprising an H-shaped channel, said H-shaped channel having a first interrupted vertical arm having a first primary axis, a first continuous horizontal arm extending in a first direction from a mid-portion of said first vertical arm, a second interrupted vertical arm extending from a distal end of said first horizontal arm, said second vertical arm having a second primary axis extending parallel to said first primary axis, and spacer means extending in a second direction from said first vertical arm to, together with a thickness of said first vertical arm, define said first distance from the substrate, wherein said spacer means comprise a first series of buttons extending outwardly in a row proximate an upper edge of said first vertical arm; b) second continuous support means for engaging an upper edge of the siding panel and retaining the upper edge at a second spaced distance from the substrate, wherein said second continuous support means is secured directly to the underlying substrate and is identical to said first continuous support means; whereby said first and second support means i) maintain a first distance between the siding panel and the substrate to enable moisture to escape and circulating air to dry out any residual moisture which migrates behind the siding panel; and, ii) limit relative vertical movement along the y-axis between the siding and the substrate, limit relative movement along the z-axis between the siding and the substrate, while enabling the siding panel to experience lateral movement relative to the substrate along the x-axis.