Siding system component and related method

A component for a siding system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the component includes an elongated body for positioning against the wall of a building or dwelling in a vertical orientation. The body may include an outwardly bowed portion that simulates the appearance of a log or timber. The component also includes first and second receivers projecting in opposite directions. When the component is vertically oriented against the wall, each receiver is adapted for receiving and at least partially covering a portion of a plurality of horizontally extending siding strips.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Reference is now made to FIG. 1 , which illustrates a wall W of a dwelling (not shown) covered by siding S. Conventionally, the wall W is formed of one or more sheets of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) sheeting. These sheets are typically nailed or otherwise fastened to the underlying framed construction (not shown) formed of structural members, such as A2×4s,&commat; oriented as vertically extending Astuds&commat; that rigidify and support the wall W. In the typical siding system, a plurality of siding strips SA 1 , . . . SA n , are applied or affixed to the surface of the wall W. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, a first siding strip SA 1 is horizontally oriented and affixed to the wall W, such as by using a fastener (not shown). A second siding strip, labeled SA 2 , is then horizontally oriented, positioned adjacent to the siding strip SA 1 (possibly in an interlocking relationship, as mentioned in the description that follows), and affixed to the wall W. This pattern is repeated by sequentially positioning the next-in-line horizontally siding strip SA n&plus;1 adjacent to the previously applied siding strip SA n to form a battery of siding strips SA 1 . . . SA n that ultimately cover and protect the wall W from the outside environment. In the case where the siding strips SA 1 . . . SA n are of a fixed, relatively short length relative to the wall W, it is of course necessary to provide a second battery of siding strips, labeled SB 1 . . . SB n in FIG. 1 , at a position directly adjacent to the first battery of siding strips SB 1 . . . SB n in a similar fashion. However, as noted above, it is generally undesirable to simply abut the ends of the siding strips SA 1 . . . San , SA 1 . . . SA n , since this may result in unsightly gaps which otherwise detract from the simulation. Instead, it is desirable to simulate the Ajoining&commat; of the ends EA 1 . . . EA n , EB 1 . . . EB n of the siding strips SA 1 . . . SA n , SB 1 . . . SB n extending along the substantially planar wall W. To accomplish this simulation, a specialized siding component 10 is provided. The component 10 is adapted for receiving the adjacent ends EA 1 , EB 1 of each pair of siding strips SA 1 . . . SA n , SB 1 . . . SB n covering the wall W. Specifically, and as perhaps best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the component 10 includes a front portion 12 and a pair of opposed receivers 14 a , 14 b . Together, the front portion 12 and receivers 14 a , 14 b serve to at least partially cover the adjacent siding strip ends EA 1 . . . EA n , EB 1 . . . EB n to give the simulated appearance that the strips SA 1 . . . SA n , SB 1 . . . SB n extending in common horizontal planes are supported by the component 10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the front portion 12 of the component 10 is outwardly bowed or curved relative to the vertical plane to simulate the appearance of a Ahalf-round&commat; log or timber. Alternatively, the front portion 12 may be square, rectangular, or formed having any other cross-sectional configuration. The particular shape may be chosen depending on the overall appearance or simulation desired for the particular building or dwelling. The opposed receivers 14 a , 14 b are preferably C-shaped or U-shaped and adapted for slidably receiving the ends EA 1 , EB 1 of the pairs of adjacent siding strips SA 1 , SB 1 extending in common vertical and horizontal planes along the wall W. Each receiver 14 a , 14 b includes a first wall 16 a , 16 b for at least partially covering the ends EA 1 . . . EA n , of the corresponding horizontally extending siding strips SA 1 . . . SA n and an end wall 18 a , 18 b against which the ends of the strips may abut, if necessary. Hence, the receivers 14 a , 14 b are constructed in the illustrated embodiment such that a horizontal centerline drawn across the open ends for receiving the strips SA 1 . . . SA n , SB 1 . . . SB 2 are aligned and oriented in a common vertical plane. In the illustrated embodiment, the end walls 18 a , 18 b are preferably substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart. As a result of this spacing, it should be appreciated that the end walls 18 a , 18 b , together with the integrally connected front portion 12 define an internal cavity C. Without departing from the broadest aspects of the invention, it is possible to combine the end walls 18 a , 18 b into a single end wall (not shown), for use either with an outwardly bowed front portion 12 or a substantially flat front portion (not shown). In the latter case, the component 10 would of course have a cross-section that is substantially H-shaped (not shown), as compared to the Amushroom cap&commat; cross-section created by the outwardly bowed front portion 12 in the illustrated embodiment. Alternatively, the first walls 16 a , 16 b may join across the space between the end walls 18 a , 18 b to create a similar shape (not shown). Connected to each end wall 18 a , 18 b is a fastener receiving portion or section 20 a , 20 b . These sections 20 a , 20 b are adapted to be placed flush with the wall W and project beyond the outermost edge of the first walls 16 a , 16 b in the vertical plane. To affix the component 10 to the wall W, one or more fasteners F, such as nails, screws, staples, or the like are placed at spaced intervals along the component 10 at any necessary or desired interval to securely fasten it to the adjacent wall W (see FIG. 1 ). Although two sections 20 a , 20 b are shown in the illustrated embodiment, it is within the broadest aspects of the invention to provide only a single elongated fastener receiving section 20 a or 20 b , with the other section being coextensive with the corresponding first wall 16 a , 16 b or eliminated entirely (not shown). In use, the component 10 is normally oriented such that a major axis or vertical centerline thereof is parallel to a vertical plane. In the special case where the outwardly bowed front portion 12 is provided to simulate the appearance of a Ahalf-round&commat; log or timber, the vertical orientation of the component 10 provides the appearance of the intermediate member or log typically used to support the adjacent ends of horizontally extending logs or timbers. To enhance the realism of the simulation, and as shown in FIGS. 1 - 3 , the outwardly bowed front portion 14 may further include indicia I to simulate the appearance of a vertically extending log. Preferably, this portion 14 is also formed of a colored material that corresponds in shade to that of the siding strips. Alternatively, a contrasting color may be used to create a different visual effect. Conventionally, the component 10 , like each siding strip SA 1 . . . SAn, SB 1 . . . SB n is elongated and fabricated of vinyl, plastic, aluminum, a composite such as a glass fiber reinforced polymeric material, or other well-known materials, and particularly those conventionally used to fabricate siding. Such materials are inexpensive, durable, and generally provide the component 10 with an inherent resiliency that makes it somewhat resistant to crushing as the result of an externally applied impact force (such as the force created by hail, wind, rain, etc., or even the foot or hand of a worker during installation). Optionally, the body of each strip SA 1 . . . SA n , SB 1 . . . SB n may include an integral portion P having a contrasting surface (preferably white or light grey) as compared with other portions of the strip and adjacent strips. Thus, when a plurality of strips are provided with a shape and/or surface indicia that simulates the appearance of a log and mounted in an abutting or overlapping fashion on the side of the stable mounting structure, such as the building or dwelling, the contrasting appearance of the exposed grout or chinking portion P between each strip realistically simulates the appearance of a log cabin or like structure (see FIG. 1 ). The strips SA 1 . . . SA n , SB 1 . . . SB n may also include an optional channel (not shown) for receiving a portion extending along the lateral side edge of an adjacent or next-in-line strip to form an interlocking engagement. A detailed description of one version of a siding strip having an integral chinking portion and a channel of the type described above may be found in commonly assigned, co-pending application Ser. No. 09/624,672, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. To install the siding system onto the wall W, the strips SA 1 . . . SA n are measured, if necessary, and the approximate position of the termination point of each end EA 1 . . . EA n is marked on the wall W. The component 10 is then vertically oriented, as shown in FIG. 3 , and placed against the wall W such that each fastener receiving section or portion 20 a , 20 b is flush therewith. The fasteners F are then placed through the fastener receiving sections 20 a , 20 b as desired along the length of the component 10 to ensure that a secure, firm attachment is established. The siding strips SA 1 . . . SA n are then installed on the wall W such that the end EA 1 . . . EA n of each projects into the corresponding receiver 14 a . The strips SA 1 . . . SA n may be of the interlocking type, as disclosed in the above-referenced commonly assigned pending application, or may be of any known type in the art. In either case, a fastener, such as a nail, screw, staple, or the like, may be used to secure each strip SA 1 . . . SA n to the wall W. It should be appreciated that in the illustrated embodiment, the receiver 14 a is generally oversized in Adepth&commat; as a result of the strategic positioning of the endwall 18 a towards the middle of the component 10 . Generally, this oversizing makes it unnecessary to precisely position the component 10 such that the strip ends EA 1 . . . EA n contact the end wall 18 a , since the overhang created by the first wall 16 a advantageously provides a covering function. Indeed, assuming that the location of the strips SA 1 . . . SA n are each fixed at the opposite end (not shown), it is actually desirable to position the component 10 such that the ends EA 1 . . . EA n are not completely flush with the end wall 18 a (note gap G in FIG. 2 between the siding strip end EA 2 and the endwall 18 a ), since any mistake in the estimate may necessitate trimming and increase the overall installation effort. Of course, by carefully simulating the positioning of the strips, such as strip SA 1 , and the component 10 beforehand, the need for trimming may be eliminated. Once the first portion of one or more of the strips SA 1 . . . SA n are in position, one or more of the strips SB 1 . . . SB n may be installed in place along the opposite side of the component 10 , such as by using fasteners. Again, depending on the length of the strips SB 1 . . . SB n and the positioning of the corresponding receiving structure at the opposite end, trimming may be necessary. However, to the extent of the overhang created by the first wall 18 b of the receiver 14 b , the strips SB 1 . . . SB n may be moved laterally as necessary to avoid the need for trimming at the opposite ends. The foregoing description of the various embodiments of the invention is presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments described provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.