Abstract:
A system for providing siding to a building is disclosed. The system utilizes components which have their own brackets with attachment flanges in order to connect directly to an exterior wall of the building. The brackets contain their own integrated water control systems, which co-act with those of other components to control and direct water into vertical channels and out from behind the siding system. These flanges double as self-contained flashing. In all the system presents a roof-to-foundation siding system that is self-contained and fully transitional from one piece to another.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority as a non-provisional perfection of prior filed U.S. provisional application No. 61/876,378 and incorporates the same by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of construction and more particularly relates to a system for placing siding on a building and the components of said system. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Siding is often used to provide a building with both an attractive and a protective finish. Typical siding systems involve panels of a weather-resistant material fastened directly to an exterior wall of a building. In the past, this has required nails or other fasteners to be thrust through the panel and into the exterior wall, inherently causing damage to both and providing a passage for water to seep into the space between the panel and the wall. Older systems were also limited in their ability to expand and contract with environmental changes affecting the building on which such systems were used. There have been some modifications in more recent times. Current siding and trim systems in the market include James Hardie trims and LP SmartSide trims. These trims are face nailed to the exterior of the building and provide some cosmetic enhancements and protection to the buildings. However, these trims are limited because they are still not sufficiently waterproof. In particular, these systems do not provide air gaps and water traps to protect the trim and building from moisture and different climates. Further, these trims are caulked, which causes tears in the trims when expanding and compressing due to environmental conditions such as different climates and air pressure changes. These tears allow water to seep in the trim and onto the structure underneath the trim, where water is being trapped between the backside of trim and the building causing structural damage to the trim and even more serious causing dry-rot and mold as well as structural damage to the building structure itself. As a result, these trims and the structure itself are subject to extensive dry-rot and mold and costly structural damage due to water entrapment, face nailing, nail pops and blemishes, caulk tarring, shrinking and drying out, lack of air movement, constant expansion and contraction ending in cosmetic damage such as, splitting trim and warping, dry rot and mold to the trims and potentially the building structure itself. 
         [0004]    As such, there is a need in the industry for a cost effective siding and system for use on buildings that is pliable to expand and compress when in the presence of different environmental conditions. There is a further need in the industry for a waterproof siding and trim system that effectively prevents moisture buildup and damage to the siding and trim and more importantly the building structure itself. The present invention is such a system. 
         [0005]    The present invention represents a departure from the prior art in that the siding system of the present invention is comprised of various interacting components, each being set off from the exterior walls of the buildings on which the system is used and having limited but secure attachment thereon. The components have limited attachment to each other, thereby allowing for expansion and contraction of the building. The components also feature water control structures and each component terminates with a transitional finish to at least one other component in the system. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of siding systems, this invention provides a siding system which is cost effective to manufacture and install with less damage to the building and the system components and provides more weather and water resistance to the structure on which it is installed. As such, the present invention&#39;s general purpose is to provide a new and improved siding system that is easily and efficiently installed and effective in weatherproofing a building. 
         [0007]    To accomplish these objectives, the system comprises numerous components, each comprising at least one weather resistant panel and at least one bracket. Each bracket presents an attachment flange used to connect the component to the exterior wall of the building and also has water containment and control elements inherently manufactured thereon. The term “panel” is used liberally in this specification and the appended claims and include any finishing surface of the component. As such the term includes the obvious planks and siding boards and also corner pieces, door and window trim, and other finishing components that are not necessarily flat. The components are limited in their contact with the exterior wall to create air passageways therebetween. A limited number of types of interfaces are used so that the components of the system are readily and easily fitted together to enhance efficiency in the installation. 
         [0008]    The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow. 
         [0009]    Many objects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views. 
         [0010]    Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0011]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a building utilizing embodiments of the method and apparatus, in a state of partial completion. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of an outer corner component installed on an exterior wall. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of an inner corner component installed on an exterior wall. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a customizable corner component. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the customizable corner component of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the corner support utilized in the customizable corner component of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a siding plank component. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation of the siding plank component of  FIG. 7   
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is an alternate embodiment of the siding plank component. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of the siding plank component of FIG. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of the siding plank component of 
           [0023]      FIG. 8 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view detailing the assembly of siding plank components according to the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a side elevation of a finishing plank. 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a base apron for use with the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is a sectional view of the base apron of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is a side elevation of anther embodiment of a base apron according to the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the base apron of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0030]      FIGS. 18-21  are side elevations of four different embodiments of mid-wall aprons for use with the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 22  is a sectional view of a cantilevered apron, installed, for use with the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a mullion for use in the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 24  is a sectional view of a board and batten assembly according to the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 25  is a board and batten plank used in the board and batten assembly of  FIG. 24 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 26  is a batten used in the board and batten assembly of  FIG. 24 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 27  is a board used in the board and batten assembly of  FIG. 24 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 28  is a sectional view of a fascia pice utilized with the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 29  is a sectional view of a frieze board utilized with the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 30  is a perspective view of an alternate frieze board utilized with the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 31  is a perspective view of a third alternate frieze board for use with the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 32  is a sectional view of an assembly of a frieze board and fascia utilized in the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 33  is a top plan view of a garage door extension jamb utilized with the present invention. 
           [0043]      FIG. 34  is a sectional view of a door trim component for use with the present invention. 
           [0044]      FIG. 35  is a perspective view of the door trim component of  FIG. 34  installed about a door. 
           [0045]      FIG. 36  is a perspective view of a window trim component for use with the present invention. 
           [0046]      FIG. 37  is a perspective view of a left window bushing for use with the window rim of  FIG. 36 . 
           [0047]      FIG. 38  is a perspective view of a right window bushing for use with the window rim of  FIG. 36 . 
           [0048]      FIG. 39  is a side elevation of a shim for use with the present invention. 
           [0049]      FIG. 40  is a partial perspective view of a building sided according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0050]    With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the siding system and its constituent components is herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0051]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the system itself is illustrated as being partially installed on a building, such as the depicted house. It should be noted that the primary intended use of the system is for dwellings, but the principles and teachings of the invention may be applied to any suitable structure and, as such, the use of a house in the figures and any reference to a “home” or “dwelling” should not be considered limiting. As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the system comprises a number of components; however these components are relatively easily categorized. First you have support structures such as outer corners  20 , inner corners  30 , adjustable corners  40 , mullions  10  and aprons  70 ,  80 ,  90 . Second you have covering components, which are meant to cover large areas of the building, such as shingle planks  50  and board and batten planks  60 . Finally, you have finishing or specialty pieces such as door trim  140  and window trim  130 , garage door trim  120 , frieze boards  110  and fascia  100 . Each piece may be vertically oriented, like the board and batten plank and corners, or horizontally oriented, like the siding planks and aprons. As such there is one interface for vertical pieces to mate with other pieces. There is one standard interface for horizontal pieces and one for the specialty siding plank pieces. Finishing components will also have special mounting and interface strategies. The system, as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 40 , covers the entirety of a building exterior from roof single down to the foundation. The components of this system inherently contain their own flashing in the form of the flanges, thus cutting material cost and installation labor. 
         [0052]    The construction of the components is simple. The panel is manufactured from any durable material of choice. The ideal material, as found by the inventor, is a polymer/wood composite which may be extruded to size and shape. Any shape may be utilized, including giving a staggered shingle or a Dutch single look to planks, using rounded or squared edges, etc. Panels and brackets may also be orthogonal or may be angled to accommodate gabled roofs. Brackets are ideally made of durable polymers with limited give so as to resist the effects of gravity and other forces. It is incumbent upon both these materials that they be relatively easily cut to size as buildings will rarely conform to standard lengths and widths of wall. Ultimately, each major component has at least one bracket that extends significantly beyond one edge of the panel and is utilized both for the attachment of the component to the exterior wall of the building and for waterproofing. In an effort to keep each component minimally adjacent the exterior wall, spacers, like the one underneath the attachment strip, are positioned at various places on the back of the panel and the bracket. These spacers, or “standees” may be as simple as a thin strip or bead along an edge, a post, or may be more significant and be, in essence, a separate bracket. 
         [0053]    In assembling the siding system, each component&#39;s bracket  26  has an attachment strip  28 , as shown with the outside corner piece  20  in  FIG. 2 , located beyond the edge  23  of the component panel  22 . Ideally, this attachment strip  28  is provided for industrial staples  2 . The spacer  29  underneath the attachment strip may then be straddled by staples. Each bracket contains a trough  26  located in a position obscured by the panel  22 . For the standard interface, the trough serves two purposes: 1. interface for individual components to co-operate; and 2. water control and diversion. The trough in the standard interface is found running vertically in the corner pieces and horizontally in aprons and finishing pieces which interface with the narrow side of board and batten panels. Each trough  26  presents a trough spacer  25  so as to keep the individual pieces from tightly abutting each other while still maintaining a secure assembly. The trough spacer  25 , then, stands each piece off from each other so as to allow air and water to flow through the trough and in and around the component and the exterior wall  1 . In this way, horizontal troughs remain open to the vertical troughs and allow spillage of water in a controlled manner into the vertical troughs and away from the exterior wall. By joints being obscured by the panel, assembly of individual components into the troughs  26  will allow each piece to transition into a finished assembly with an appealing look. 
         [0054]    Corner panels are provided in three types, outer corner panels  20  ( FIG. 2 ), inner corner panels  30  ( FIG. 3 ) and adjustable corner panels  40  ( FIGS. 4-6 ). Each uses the same trough construction. The outer corner panel  20  utilizes its brackets  26  to sand off from the wall. Inner corner  30  uses additional spacers  32  extending off of its support structure  34  to serve as standees. For non-orthogonal corners, a specialized corner component  40  is provided. The component features two panels  42  with detachable brackets  44  and a specialized, flexible corner brace  46 . The brackets  44  and panels  42  are mitered along their adjacent edges to the specified angle and attached to each other. Brace  46  is essentially two broad legs  48  joined at a hinge  49 . Brace  46  is then bent around the corner and joins the two halves of the corner component  40  together, usually held by screws  45 . This component is one where caulking and/or gluing is necessary to assure adequate weatherproofing and structural integrity. Each bracket  44  contains one trough  26  according to the designs already described. 
         [0055]    The plank interface is different than the standard interface and is utilized for horizontal siding planks  50  and those aprons and trim components interfacing therewith. As the siding planks ( FIGS. 7-12 ) are used to create a sloping shingled appearance, the plank interface has an attachment spur  56 , which co-operates with the lower edge  52  of a plank to receive an upper edge  54  of a plank beneath it. The attachment spur  53  and panel are made to snap onto the top edge of the lower panel, thanks to lips provided on both the spur  53  and lower edge  52 , and recline rearwards to that the bracket of the upper siding plank may be attached to the exterior wall. The plank bracket  58  is of slightly different construction. Like the standard bracket, it has a flange  59  extending beyond the upper edge of the plank and a trough  57  disposed beneath that same edge (in fact, partially formed by the panel). A triangular spacer  55  is disposed on the flange  59  between the trough  57  and attachment strip and no spacer is in the trough. Ideally, the upper edge of the flange is hooked rearwardly to aid in the control of any water that may get behind the planks (as shown in  FIG. 12 ). This feature may be used on any component with a horizontal flange, but is optional. When assembled, the narrow edges (as defined by being generally at a right angle to the bracket) of each plank are positioned in corresponding troughs of corner components or mullions. A finishing plank  50   a  ( FIG. 13 ) is also provided which lacks the upper bracket and is designed to be cut to size and then the plank directly interfaces with finishing components, like frieze board, made to accept this piece. Since the plank interface has two distinct portions, an upper and a lower portion, any component made to interface with siding plank must have a portion of the interface dependent upon its location in relation to the siding plank (i.e. an apron underneath the plank will have the upper portion, essentially a connection spur, located on its upper edge while fascia finishing the wall will have a slot for receiving the upper edge of the finishing plank). Each plank  50  has a plurality of spacers  51  on its reverse side to help it stand off from the external wall  1 . The shape of the plank  50  may be any readily conceived and manufactured, such as the flat shape seen in  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  12  and  18  or the Dutch lab board shape of  FIGS. 9-10 . 
         [0056]    Aprons are horizontal components of which there are three types. The base apron  70 ,  71  ( FIGS. 14-17 ) runs along the bottom of the wall and provides support for the whole system. It is secured to the wall by the flange  74  and a support clip  72 . The support clip  72  is one of the few components that is secured to the wall by larger screws. The base apron has an edge  76  designed to fit over a lip in the support bracket  72 . There are two types of base aprons. One type  70  interfaces with board and batten panels with a trough  78 . The other type  71  presents a spur  73  to interface with planks, as can be seen in  FIG. 12 . Both have a lower edge  75  that extends beneath the level of the bracket  72 . 
         [0057]    The mid-wall apron  80  is used to break up the pattern established by the coverage planks. It must therefore have bottom  82  and top  84  interfaces for the coverage planks. As such, each mid-wall apron will have either a plank interface or a standard interface as either the top or bottom interface, for four possible configurations, as is illustrated in  FIGS. 18-21 . 
         [0058]    Cantilever aprons  90 , as shown in  FIG. 22 , are used for areas on an exterior which project outward  96  from the general plane of the wall (such as for a bay window). Like the other aprons, it presents an upper flange  92  with one of the two horizontal connection interfaces. However, towards its bottom is a second flange  94  which extends rearward so as to allow the apron to fit around the corner of the projection  96 . Slightly beneath the rearward flange is a slot  98  for receiving soffit board  4 . The slot  98  is beneath the lower edge of the apron  90 . 
         [0059]    Mullions  10  ( FIG. 23 ) are provided so as to allow tie-ins of planks or batten and boards. They contain the standard vertical interface on either side of the mullion. Mullions may be made in any shape, including a shape to match board and batten panels  15  ( FIG. 24 ). 
         [0060]    Board and batten panels  70  ( FIGS. 24-27 ) have their extending flange  72  projecting on the batten side with a standard receiving trough. The board side of the panel terminates in a block  74  which rests in the standard receiving trough of a neighboring board and batten panel or a mullion or corner. For flexibility, a two-piece finishing panel construction is provided. The two piece panel is a board  76  which may be trimmed to size and a batten  78  which has a slot to receive the edge of the trimmed board and fits in the receiving trough of a corner or mullion. A flange  79  extends from the batten underneath the board  76 . 
         [0061]    Finishing fascia  100  is provided to finish the area along the roof line of the building. Flashing  102  is provided to transition the top of the roof to the fascia  100 , thereby hiding the upper flange  104 , which contains a trough. Like the cantilevered apron, the fascia presents a rearward flange  106  and a slightly lower slot for soffit board  4 . Frieze board  110  finishes the top of the wall and may have a lower interface to either fit plank panels  111  ( FIG. 30 ) or board and batten panels  113  ( FIG. 29 ). It presents a corresponding slot  112  for soffit board  4  slightly underneath its upper flange  114 . Frieze board may be horizontal  110  or gabled  118  ( FIG. 31 ) with the lower edge  116  angled to accommodate the slope of the roof and the corresponding interface with coverage components. Soffit board  4  then fits between the frieze board  110  and the fascia  100  ( FIG. 32 ) or a cantilevered apron. 
         [0062]    Finishing the siding system around doors windows and garage doors required specialized parts. The simplest of these parts is the garage door extension jamb shown in  FIG. 33 . The jamb is simply a head  122  with a bracket  124  at a right angle thereto. The bracket  124  is fastened to the interior garage wall such that the head  122  proceeds outward, where it may be cut to size and interface with any corner. This arrangement keeps the siding flush with the garage door. 
         [0063]    Similarly, a flashing bracket  152  is used to keep the door trim finishing components  150  flush with a door way ( FIGS. 34 and 35 ). When installed at the edge of the doorway, the flashing bracket  152  positions the door trim  150  slightly overlapping the door jamb  158 . With this arrangement, the trim stays evenly distributed down the door jamb. The door trim component  150  has a bracket  154  with the standard vertical trough interface  158 . 
         [0064]    For window trim  160 , bushings  164 ,  166  are used to secure the trim about a window ( FIGS. 36-38 ). Bushings may be for the right side of a window (right  164 ) or the left (left  166 ). Each bushing has a brace  168  that extends above the bushing and has a body that is an L-shaped block  167  with a divot  169  on the side of the bushing opposite its identification (the divot is on the left side of the right bushings body). Bushings  164 ,  166  are attached to the exterior wall above the window such that the block  167  abuts the window frame, the divot  169  being proximate the frame. The window trim has the standard vertical interface trough  162  and a side the is made to interface with a hook  165  that mates with the corresponding divot  169  so that it resides in the divot next to the window frame. This structure keeps the trim  160  flush with the window frame and the trim itself is reversible for use on either side of the window. Siding may be installed to the very top and bottom edges of windows and doors. As such, headers and sills may be mounted directly on siding panels. In order for such sills and headers to be vertical on plank siding, shims  170  ( FIG. 39 ) are used to level the base on which the sills and headers are placed. Shims may be made of any shape to comport with the shape of the plank. They have an angled side  172  and a flat side with an adhesive  174 . Shims  170  are first secured to the plank, then the adhesive is used to secure the sill or header to the shim  170 . 
         [0065]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.