Abstract:
Brackets are provided to attach a trim item having a nailing flange to an exterior wall of a building. The brackets have a generally planar profile formed from two elongated strips attached along a fold line. The brackets are attached to adjacent studs of an exterior wall with a nail flange of the trim item fixed between the elongated strips of the bracket. Siding is then applied over the brackets and the nailing flange to conceal both the bracket and the nailing flange of the trim item.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     When the exterior walls of a house or building are covered with siding, trim items are typically used to support light fixtures, surround water or hose fittings, and support electrical outlets. Other trim items include gable vents and eaves vents. Generally, the exterior wall of a building will include vertical studs with an insulated foam material nailed to the studs. The siding is attached over this foam by nailing it to the underlying studs. The trim items are attached to the same surface as the siding. Preferably, these trim items are also nailed to a stud, or rafter in the case of an eaves vent. Most of these trim items are not large enough to extend between two studs. Further, studs are not always located where one wishes to attach the trim item.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention is premised on the realization that a trim item having a nailing flange can be attached to an exterior wall or overhang of a building using a bracket member. The bracket member is formed from a planar metal strip which is folded on itself to form first and second strips overlying each other, with nail holes extended through the first and second strips. The nailing flange of the trim element fits within the area between the two strips and the bracket is then nailed to two adjacent structure supports, i.e., studs or rafters. Preferably, two brackets are used, one above and below the trim element, each with a nailing flange located between the strips of the bracket. The vinyl siding is then applied, butted against the walls of the trim element covering the bracket and the nail flange of the trim element.  
         [0003]     The objects and advantages of the present invention will be further appreciated in light of the following detailed description and drawings, in which: 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view partially broken away of the present invention;  
         [0005]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the bracket of the present invention;  
         [0006]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the present invention partially assembled; and  
         [0007]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view taken at lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , brackets  12   a  and  12   b  are used to attach a trim item  14  to structural supports of a building. Structural supports can include any exterior framing structure such as a studs, rafters or other framing members. The structural supports shown are studs  16   a  and  16   b  which form part of an exterior wall  18  of a building. Siding  22  covers wall  18  abutted against the trim item  14 .  
         [0009]     The trim item  14  can be a wide variety of different trim items adapted for use in a vinyl sided building. These trim items all incorporate a nailing flange which is comparable to the nailing flange utilized in vinyl siding. Typical trim items include mounting brackets for electrical fixtures or outlets, such as disclosed in Vagedes U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,723,921 and 4,726,152; trim for a hose faucet, as disclosed in Vagedes U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,619; dryer vents with nail flanges; eaves vents; or, soffit vents. Basically, any trim item for vinyl siding that incorporates a nailing flange can be used as part of the present invention. The disclosures of all of the above cited patents are hereby incorporated by reference.  
         [0010]     As shown, the trim  14  item is a mounting block for an electrical fixture  15  (shown in phantom) and it includes four side walls  28 . Extending at a 90 degree angle from the side walls are nailing flanges  36 . As shown, these four nailing flanges  36  form a continuous nailing flange around the periphery of the trim item  14 , allowing the trim item to be attached to the building either lengthwise or widthwise. As shown, the nailing flange  36  preferably includes a plurality of holes  38  that extend through the flange  36 .  
         [0011]     As shown, two brackets  12   a  and  12   b  are used. Although less preferred, the trim item  14  could be attached using only one bracket  12 . The brackets  12   a  and  12   b  are identical. They include a first strip  46  and a second strip  48  connected to each other at a fold or edge  50 . As shown, strips  46  and  48  are mirror images of each other. However, one strip can be wider than the other as long as they partially overlap to form a channel. Preferably, strips  46  and  48  include a plurality of aligned nail holes  52 . The brackets  12   a  and  12   b  each have a length that is effective to extend between adjacent studs. Usually studs are spaced 16 inches on center. Therefore, these brackets  12  would be generally 17½ inches in length, or longer. The brackets  12  are preferably formed from a single strip of metal folded on itself to form strips  46  and  48 . Bracket  12  can also be formed from extruded plastic.  
         [0012]     Brackets  12   a  and  12   b  are attached to the outer surface  58  of building wall  18 . Outer surface  58  is, as shown, a foam insulating board  60  which is nailed to the wall studs  16   a,b.  The brackets  12   a  and  12   b  are attached to the studs  16   a,b  with fasteners  62  extended through holes  52  through foam board  60  into studs  16   a  and  16   b.  Opposed nailing flanges  36  of trim item  14  are positioned between first and second strips  46  and  48  of brackets  12   a  and  12   b.  This holds the trim item  14  in position. One or more fasteners  64  extend through nail holes  52  and through nail holes (not shown) in the nailing flange  36 . Fastener  64  can be a rivet, a screw, or a nail. This prevents the trim item from sliding side to side prior to the siding being attached. Other means can be used to prevent the trim item  14  from sliding back and forth, such as dimples located in the first and second strips  46 , 48 , or simply by compression of the first strip  46  against the second strip  48 .  
         [0013]     After the trim item  14  is attached to wall surface  58  with brackets  12 , siding  22  is applied to the exterior surface  58 , abutting against the side walls  28  of trim item  14 . Any type of exterior siding can be employed, including stucco. However, this is used primarily with vinyl siding.  
         [0014]     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the trim item  14  has a removable outer J channel member  20  which snaps over the trim item  14  to conceal the edges of siding  22 . Many trim items are molded as one piece with an integral J channel. Some trim items may have a nailing flange without a J channel.  
         [0015]     Because the bracket  12  is basically planar, one strip of metal folded on itself, it does not cause the siding  22 , which covers the bracket  12 , to bulge significantly. If the bracket  12  did not have a planar profile, siding covering the bracket would bulge outwardly and create an unsightly appearance.  
         [0016]     Thus, bracket  16  allows trim items to be attached to an exterior surface of a building wall with vinyl siding or other metal siding butted against the trim item covering the nailing flange of the trim item as well as the bracket itself. This allows the item to be firmly attached at virtually any location on the exterior wall of the building.  
         [0017]     It is preferred that the bracket  12  have mirror image, overlapping strips  46  and  48 . However, strip  48  can be narrower than strip  46  as long as they overlap and a channel is formed between the strips which can receive the nailing flange of trim item  14 .  
         [0018]     Further, it is preferred that the bracket  12  include nail holes to allow the trim item  14  to be attached to the bracket with a fastener. However, it is not essential to attach the trim item to the bracket with a fastener. The siding once attached to the wall and surrounding the trim item holds the trim item at its intended location. But, using a fastener will facilitate installation.  
         [0019]     This has been a description of the present invention along with the preferred method of practicing the present invention. However, the invention itself should only be defined by the appended claims.