Abstract:
A siding panel spacing and installation tool includes a first side surface for aligning with a first siding panel, a second side surface for aligning with a second siding panel, and a top surface for positioning a third siding panel above at least one of the first and second siding panels in a level and partially overlapping manner.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a building siding tool, and more particularly to a device capable of allowing one or more users to efficiently and accurately measure appropriate distances between siding panels and install the same without the use of additional measuring devices. 
         [0002]    Wall siding has always been a popular choice for exterior home decoration by builders and homeowners as it is easy to maintain and repair, and is a low cost alternative to other building materials such as stucco, brick and wood composite. Though it is efficient after installation, installing siding panels in a correct and level manner can be a cumbersome task that requires precise measurements at multiple points, and a uniform overlap between each panel. 
         [0003]    When installing siding utilizing known methodologies, a delay exists between applying each individual panel, as the installer must measure and mark the appropriate distance between panels and then free their hands to place and secure the siding. Additionally, due to the length of individual siding panels, it is often necessary to have more than one installer, thus increasing the possibility of human error, as each installer must independently measure distances on both ends. This procedure often results in one or more panels being installed incorrectly which then trickles through the remaining panel installation. 
         [0004]    In light of the above, it would be beneficial to provide a siding spacing and installation tool for allowing one or more users to accurately install siding panels that reduces human error, thus resulting in a uniform and efficient installation process. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention is directed to a siding spacing and installation tool. One embodiment of the present invention can include a main body having a plurality of opposing sides, interposed between a top end and a bottom end. The device can further include at least two ledges positioned at different heights for facilitating installation of siding panels. 
         [0006]    Another embodiment of the present invention can include a main body having an I-beam structure that includes two embedded coterminous channels with a common back wall. 
         [0007]    Yet another embodiment of the invention can include an opening at the bottom end where a lanyard can be secured. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a frontal view of a siding installation tool that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the siding installation tool in operation, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the siding installation tool in operation, according to one embodiment of the invention 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a frontal view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4   a . is a cross sectional cutout view of the alternate embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention. 
         [0015]    For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0016]    The present invention is directed to a tool for use in installing siding such as wood, metal, and satinwood, on a building wall. As is well known to those skilled in the art, an upper strip of siding is generally installed so that its bottom section partially overlaps the upper section of the next lowest strip of siding. The installation of such siding normally requires two or more workers to accurately measure distances in order to ensure a uniform and level installation. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a siding spacing and installation tool that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts described herein. As shown, the tool  10 , according to one embodiment, can include an extended, generally rectangular shaped main body having a top end  11 , a bottom end  12 , a front surface  13   a,  and a back surface  13   b . Additionally, the device can further include a first side section having an upper vertical section  14   a,  a horizontal ledge  14   b  and a lower vertical section  14   c.  Likewise, an opposing side section can include an upper vertical section  15   a,  a horizontal ledge  15   b  and a lower vertical section  15   c.    
         [0018]    As described herein, each of the top end  11 , and the horizontal ledges  14   b  and  15   b  can include a length and width suitable for creating a generally flat shelf onto which individual sheets of siding can be placed during the installation process. While the dimensions of the elements  14   b  and  15   b  are not critical, in the preferred embodiment each of the ledges  14   b  and  15   b  can include a length of approximately ½″ and a width of approximately 1″. Of course, other dimensions are also contemplated. 
         [0019]    In one preferred embodiment, the tool  10  can be constructed from a single piece of non-conductive material such as injection molded plastic, for example. Of course an number of other known materials and manufacturing processes, such as wood, PVC, conventionally joined acetate pieces and/or composite materials can also be utilized. 
         [0020]    As is known to those skilled in the art, most commercially available siding panels include a vertical width W (See  FIG. 2 ) of either 8¼″ or 7¼″, and the manufacturer of these products recommend leaving approximately a 1¼″ overlap between panels when installed. 
         [0021]    To this end, one embodiment of the present invention can include vertical side sections  14   c  and  15   c  having different lengths, thus resulting in the horizontal ledges  14   b  and  15   b  being located at different heights for precisely hanging sheets of panels having known dimensions. 
         [0022]    Accordingly, in one preferred embodiment, the front and back surfaces  13   a  and  13   b  can include a length of 8¾″ along a Y axis, lower vertical side section  14   c  can include a length of 2¾″ along a Y axis, upper vertical side section  14   a  can include a length of 6″ along a Y axis, lower vertical side section  15   c  can include a length of 1¾″ along a Y axis and upper side section  15   a  can include a length of 7″ along a Y axis. As will be described below in detail, such a feature can allow a single device  10  to be utilized for installing siding panels having either of the most common vertical widths. More specifically, ledge  14   b  can be used to precisely hang siding panels include a vertical width of 7¼″, and ledge  15   b  can be used to precisely hang siding panels include a vertical width of 8¼″. 
         [0023]    Although described above as including specific measurements, one of skill in the art will recognize that the siding tool  10  can be constructed to include varying dimensions suitable for use with other, less commercially available and/or custom sized siding panels with minimal alteration and without deviating from the scope and spirit of the inventive concepts described herein. 
         [0024]    Additionally, although illustrated as including ledges at different heights, one of skill in the art will recognize that alternate embodiments (not illustrated) of the tool  10  can include identical dimensions. To this end, each of the ledges ( 14   b  and  15   b ) can be placed at identical heights in order to work with a single type/dimension of siding. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate one embodiment of the siding spacing and installation tool  10  in operation. As shown, the tool  10  can be used to install multiple siding panels P 1  and P 2  at uniform distances on a building wall  1 . To this end, a first panel P 1  can be secured along the lower end of the building wall  1  in accordance with known installation techniques. Once this first panel has been installed and checked for level, the device  10  can be utilized to hang all subsequent panels in a precise and level manner. This can be accomplished by placing the upper vertical section ( 15   a  in this example) against the middle portion P 1   a  of the first panel P 1 , and placing one of the ledges ( 15   b  in this example) along the bottom section P 1   b  of the first panel P 1 . 
         [0026]    When the tool  10  is aligned with the lower panel P 1 , the bottom section P 2   a  of the second panel P 2  can now be placed onto the top of the tool  11 . As stated above, owing to the specific dimensions of the tool which are custom to the size of each panel, the top portion of the tool  11  will precisely position the second panel P 2  onto the wall  1  in a level manner and with the manufacturer recommended overlap area O. Once panel P 2  has been secured to the wall, all subsequent panels can then be accurately positioned using the same technique. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  illustrates one preferred method of use, wherein a siding spacing and installation tool  10  is utilized on both ends of the siding panels P 1 , P 2 , and P 3 . When so utilized, it becomes possible for multiple workers to quickly and uniformly install siding while greatly reducing the risk of human error. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the siding installation tool  10  that further includes a channel C on both the front wall  13   a  and the back wall  13   b,  respectively, disposed to have a common back wall  40 , thus creating an I-beam formation. As further illustrated in  FIG. 4   a  the tool includes a central core, or common back wall  32 , capped with flanges, or side walls  14   a  and  15   a.  This I-beam construction can allow the siding spacer to be lighter than a solid embodiment while affording it the same strength. 
         [0029]    Additionally, the tool  10  can further include an opening  41  at the bottom end, where a lanyard, lariat, or other such retention apparatus  42  can be threaded through the device at its proximal end, to be secured to a user&#39;s wrist while in use. Such a feature can allow a user free movement of their hands when not using the device. 
         [0030]    As described herein, one or more elements of the siding spacing and installation tool  10  can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or more individual elements such as the top end  11 , bottom end  12 , front surface  13   a,  back surface  13   b,  and/or side surfaces  14  and  15 , including all sub components, for example, may be formed together as one continuous element, either through manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof. 
         [0031]    As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
         [0032]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0033]    The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.