Abstract:
A siding installation tool is provided comprising a main body portion including a spacing flange. The spacing flange includes a hook member disposed to hang the tool from a top edge of a first siding panel and a seat member disposed to receive the bottom edge of a second siding panel, wherein the flange portion is sized to provide a partial overlap of the first siding panel by the second siding panel when the tool is attached to the first siding panel by the hook member and the second siding panel is seated in the seat. The tool also includes measuring means located on the tool.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to construction, and, more particularly, to a tool to facilitate installation of siding products. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Typically, clapboard siding panels, such as fiber cement clapboard siding panels, are installed on a wall of a structure, generally on a sheathing product, in one of two ways—either in a so called “blind nail” method or a so called “face nail” method. In the blind nail method, illustrated by siding panel assembly  20  of  FIG. 2 , a first siding panel  16   a  is aligned on the face of a wall  12  and a series of horizontally spaced nails (not shown) is driven through the panel  16   a , generally through an upper region of the exterior face of the panel  16   a , into the wall  12 . A second panel  16   b  is then secured to the wall  12  in the same manner using a series of nails  18 . The second panel  16   b  overlaps a portion of the exterior face of the first panel  16   a  and covers the nails or fasteners driven through the first panel  16   a . Another panel (not shown) is then installed overlapping panel  16   b  and covering nails  18 .  FIG. 3  is a side cross-sectional view of the panel assembly  20  of FIG.  2 . 
   In the face nailing method shown by panel assembly  10  of  FIG. 1 , the first siding panel  14   a  is properly aligned on the wall  12 . A second siding panel  14   b  is then aligned overlapping the first siding panel  14   a , as described above, and nails  18   a  are driven through both siding panels  14   a ,  14   b , exposing the head of the nail  18   a  at the exterior surface of the second siding panel  14   b . This process is repeated with subsequent siding courses, such as panels  14   c  and  14   d  shown in  FIG. 1 , using nails  18   b  and  18   c.    
   Installation of siding panels as described above often requires two workers—a first worker to steady a first end of the overlapping siding panel and a second worker to both steady and nail a second end of the siding panel to the wall. Providing a consistent lap along overlapping siding panels and between the various tiers of siding panels is also a concern. Still further, workers often perform certain ancillary tasks during installation of siding, such as taking of various measurements and cutting of siding panels, particularly to match the pitch of a gable in a roof. 
   In light of the above, there is a need for an inexpensive, multipurpose tool useful for installing siding panels, including for use in facilitating the installation of the siding panel, providing consistent lap results and serving as a measuring device. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A siding installation tool is provided comprising a main body portion including a spacing flange. The spacing flange includes a hook member disposed to hang the tool from a top edge of a first siding panel and a seat member disposed to receive the bottom edge of a second siding panel, wherein the flange portion is sized to provide a partial overlap of the first siding panel by the second siding panel when the tool is attached to the first siding panel by the hook member and the second siding panel is seated in the seat. The tool also includes measuring means located on the tool. 
   The multipurpose tool is lightweight and inexpensive to produce while at the same time providing a plethora of useful functions, a number of which are described herein. The tool can be produced in any size or three dimensional shape as may be required for particular applications. The tool includes a flange for assisting in the installation of partially overlapping siding products, allowing the installer to install long lengths of siding without the need for another worker but with consistent lapping. Leveling vials may be secured to the tool as needed, and the tool may be provided with any number of indicia useful for measuring lengths and angles, striking lines or stenciling patterns. Finally, the tool may be used as a cutting guide for ensuring straight cuts and providing mitered cuts. 
   In one embodiment, a siding installation tool includes a main body portion forming a right angle having a pair of base legs and a hypotenuse side connected therebetween. A first one of the base legs including distance measurement indicia thereon. The hypotenuse includes angle indicia thereon, and a second one of the base legs includes a flange portion coupled thereto. The flange portion includes a hook member disposed to hang the tool from a top edge of a first siding panel and a seat member disposed to receive the bottom edge of a second siding panel, wherein the flange portion is sized to provide a partial overlap of the first siding panel by the second siding panel when the tool is attached to the first siding panel by the hook member and the second siding panel is seated in the seat. 
   A method of installing siding panel is also provided. The siding installation tool is secured from the top edge of a first siding panel aligned along the surface of a wall. A bottom edge of a second siding panel is disposed in the seat of the flange to support the second siding panel. At least a first portion of the second siding panel is secured to the wall of the structure while the second siding panel is supported. The tool is detached from the first siding panel. 
   The above and other features of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention that is provided in connection with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, as well as other information pertinent to the disclosure, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of a prior art face nail clapboard panel assembly; 
       FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of a prior art blind nail clapboard panel assembly; 
       FIG. 3  is a side cross-sectional view of the assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a tool in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the tool of  FIG. 4 ; and 
       FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the tool of FIG.  4 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The tool of the present invention is described in connection with  FIGS. 4-6 , which are not drawn to scale. Referring first to  FIG. 4 , a multipurpose tool  100  for use in installing siding panel is shown in perspective. Tool  100  has a main body portion  102 . In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the tool is triangular shaped, preferably shaped like a right triangle, although the tool shape is not limited thereto, but may comprise any conceivable geometric configuration. The tool  100  includes a lap alignment flange  104  extending from the main body portion  102 . The flange  104  includes a seat member  106  and a hook member  108 , both of which are generally “u” shaped.  FIG. 6  is a side elevational view illustrating a profile of the tool  100  and better illustrating the general “Z” of “S” shape of flange  104 . Use of the flange  104  in installing a siding panel is described hereafter. 
   A first siding panel is properly aligned along a wall of a structure. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , siding panels are generally rectangular and are oriented in a longitudinal fashion along a wall. After the first siding panel is properly aligned, tool  100  is secured to a top edge of the first siding panel, preferably proximate to a first end thereof. With respect to  FIG. 4 , the orientation of tool  100  reversed, i.e., the tool is flipped, so that the tool  100  is hung from the top edge of the first siding panel by hook member  108 . Hook member  108  is appropriately sized to fit over the top edge of a siding panel to firmly, but removably, secure the tool  100  thereto. In this manner, seat  106  is oriented to receive a bottom edge of a second siding panel aligned to overlap the first siding panel. The bottom edge of the second siding panel is disposed in the seat  106  of the suspended tool  100  to support the siding panel as the installer nails, screws or otherwise fastens at least a first portion of the second siding panel to a wall, as described above. The tool is then removed from the first siding panel, e.g., by sliding it off of the first siding panel, and a remaining portion of the second, overlapping siding panel is fastened to the wall. One or more tools  100  may be utilized in this process to support the second siding panel during installation. 
   It should be apparent that the tool  100 , and more specifically the flange  104 , provides support for the second siding panel during installation, thereby allowing a single installer to install long lengths of siding without the need for another worker. Further, the flange  104  is sized to provide a consistent, desired overlap (e.g., 1¼″) between the first and second siding panels. Still further, reuse of the tool in completing a siding panel assembly, i.e., aligning and securing a third siding panel over the second siding panel, etc., ensures a consistent overlap between each pair of overlapping siding panels in the assembly. Other features of the tool  100  are described below. 
   A straight edge  110  of the tool body  102  is provided with indicia  112 , along a length thereof such that the tool may be used to define distances, in a manner similar to a ruler. In the embodiment shown, the indicia  112  comprise a series of parallel spaced apart straight line markings each of which has a corresponding distance with reference to a point of origin  116 , such as the point labeled “PIVOT POINT” on the face of tool  100 . Indicia  112  may also include, but are not limited to, dots, protuberances, indentations, notches, holes, electronic sensors, and photonic sensors. 
   Tool  100  further includes means for defining angles, which includes indicia  114  provided on the hypotenuse of the tool body  102 , each of which, in combination with point of origin  116 , define a line  120 , as shown for example in the top planar view of FIG.  5 . In the embodiment shown, the indicia  114  consist of lines provided along the hypotenuse edge  122  that is opposite the right angle defined by the first and second edges  110 ,  124  of tool  100 . The line  120  forms an angle (alpha) with reference to the straight edge  124  of the tool body  102 . Indicia  114  may include, but are not limited to lines, dots, protuberances, indentations, notches, holes, electronic sensors and photonic sensors. Further, it will be understood that while it may be preferable to employ one or more edges of the tool body  102  to define angles, it is not necessary. Alternatively, angles may be defined by a pair of lines or by at least three spaced apart indicia that define lines that interest at corresponding angles. In one embodiment, the tool indicia  114  represent standard roof pitches and the tool  100  may be used to aid the installer in cutting siding to correspond to a specific roof pitch. This use of tool  100  is described below. 
   When siding reaches the eaves on the gable end of a house or other structure, the siding must be cut to match the roof pitch. As noted, in one embodiment, the indicia  114  represent common roof pitches (vertical/horizontal), e.g., 12/12, 8/12, 6/12, 4/12 and 3/12. Indicia  114  may be embodied as lines that are oriented with respect to point  116  to correspond to various pitches. The tool  100  may be used to assist the installer in the cutting process. Specifically, the tool is used in the marking of the piece of siding product that is cut to match a specific roof pitch. The installer usually measures and/or calculates the pitch of a roof before cutting the siding. The location  116  of the tool  100  (labeled “Pivot Point” on the tool  100 ) is positioned at the long point of the cut and rotated to match the pitch of the roof. The “long point” of the cut is where the cut meets the bottom of the siding panel. Conversely, the “short point” of the cut is where the cut meets the top of the siding panel. Specifically, with the tool  100  oriented as shown in  FIG. 5 , the pivot point is located at a point along bottom edge of the panel. The tool  100  is rotated counter-clockwise until the desired pitch indicia  114  aligns with the vertical end edge of the panel. For example, if the roof pitch is 12/12, the tool is rotated until the pitch indicia “12/12” line is aligned with the edge of the board—in essence a 45° counter-clockwise rotation from the orientation of  FIG. 5. A  line is drawn on the siding panel using a marking device (e.g., pencil) using the hypotenuse edge  122  as a guide. The siding panel is then cut along the line, thereby providing an edge that matches the selected pitch. 
   Alternatively, the tool  100  may be used to define angles by placing the tool  100  on the surface of an object (e.g., siding panel) such that that the edge  124  of the tool is aligned with a longitudinal line of the object. With the tool  100  held in position, a first mark or indicia is placed on the object at the point of origin  116  defined by the tool  100 . A second mark is placed on the object at an indicia  114  corresponding with the desired angle. The tool  100  is then removed from the object to reveal the two marked indicia placed thereon. Next, a straight edge of the tool  100  may be used to strike a line through the two indicia, thereby denoting the position of the angle on the surface of the object. The object may then be cut along the struck line. 
   The tool may also be used as a guide for marking lines, such as cutting guides, parallel to edges of a siding board or other product. Installers often need to cut siding panels to narrower widths, such as when the siding panel is to be installed under and over windows and doors. In these installation, the siding panel is cut along a line parallel to the bottom and top edges. By way of example, assume 4″ are to be removed relative to the bottom edge of the siding panel. Assuming a siding panel is oriented lengthwise on a flat surface, the tool  100  is rotated 180° (respective to  FIG. 5 ) and placed on the siding panel with the “4” inch line indicia  112  positioned proximate to the bottom edge of the panel and edge  124  parallel to the top and bottom edges of the siding panel. The installer then generally secures the tool  100  relative to the bottom edge, such as with his or her index and thumb fingers, places the tip of a pencil or other marking instrument in a v-notch  128 , and slides the tool  100  and pencil along the edge of the siding panel using his or her thumb and index as a guide along the bottom edge of the panel, thereby drawings a line approximately 4″ from the bottom edge and parallel to the bottom edge. The distance from edge  124  to v-notches  128  generally accounts for the thickness of the cutting blade used to cut the siding panel along the drawn line. 
   Alternatively, indicia  112  could each have notches formed thereat for placement of a marking tool, and shelves  130  could be used as guides when rested along the edge of the siding panel. A lines is then drawn by simply sliding the tool  100  and pencil along the edge of the siding panel, using a shelve  130  as a guide. 
   Other useful applications of tool  100 , not specifically discussed herein, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. 
   In one embodiment, the tool  100  may be a unitary construction formed from a light weight plastic, but other materials, such as metals and composites, are also contemplated. Preferably, the measurement indicia is disposed or located on both side of the tool  100  so that both sides are functional. 
   In one embodiment, tool  100  may also include holes  126 , protrusions, hooks or other means for enabling an installer to secure the tool to a tool belt or nest the tool on a saw station. 
   The multipurpose tool is lightweight and inexpensive to produce while at the same time providing a plethora of useful functions, a number of which are described herein. The tool  100  can be produced in any size or there dimensional shape as may be required for particular applications. The tool includes a flange for assisting in the installation of partially overlapping siding products, allowing the installer to install long lengths of siding without the need of another worker but with consistent lapping. Leveling vials may be secured to the tool  100  as needed, and the tool may be provided with any number of indicia useful for measuring lengths and angles, striking lines or stenciling patterns. Finally, the tool  100  may be used as a cutting guide for ensuring straight cuts and providing mitered cuts. 
   Although the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly to include other variants and embodiments of the invention that may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention.