# Patent

## Title
System, method and apparatus for corner siding

## Abstract

A corner siding product may include a plurality of panels. Each panel may include a front face with a simulated pattern, a hollow back, a longitudinal length extending in an x-direction, a lateral width extending in a y-direction, and a depth extending in a z-direction. In addition, the corner siding product may include a living hinge extending in the y-direction between the panels along side edges thereof. The corner siding product can have an uninstalled configuration wherein it is substantially planar. Embodiments of the corner siding product also can have an installed configuration wherein the living hinge permits the panels to be non-planar relative to each other, such that they are complementary in shape to a corner of a building.

## Background
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Prov. App. No. 62/091,997, filed Dec. 15, 2014, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Disclosure
The present invention relates in general to building products and, in particular, to a system, method and apparatus for corner siding building products.
Description of the Related Art
Wooden shingles and shakes are popular and attractive siding products used in the construction of homes, businesses and other structures. Unfortunately, these wooden products require constant maintenance, and are extremely expensive, as well as labor intensive to install. Further, the durability of wooden products, such as those constructed from cedar, lags far behind that of products made of synthetic materials. Therefore, a considerable number of synthetic siding products have been created that simulate the wooden appearance of, for example, cedar shingles or cedar shake shingles. These siding products are typically formed from materials such as polyvinyl chloride and polypropylene.
Once siding panels are installed onto the exterior sheathing of a structure, it often becomes necessary to place a corner cap over the exposed ends of the siding panels. Efforts have been made to match the ornamental appearance of the siding panel with the corner cap appearance, so as to avoid an unaesthetic or artificial looking final structure.
Prior art corner pieces typically suffer from several drawbacks. First, the appearance of a random selection of shingles within each course formed on the siding panels does not continue through to the corner pieces when they have identical faces. The courses do not appear as if they terminate in a natural manner at the corners of the structure. This unnatural appearance occurs when employing either the multiple course corner piece, where the faces are identical, or when employing the single course corner piece, where the faces are identical.
Further, when viewing only a single wall of a structure that includes a prior art corner piece, it becomes quite apparent that artificial corner pieces have been employed. A continuous and non-staggered lateral edge is apparent along the entire corner of the structure between corner pieces in a vertical stack, one on top of the other. The linear joint formed between the siding corner pieces and the siding panels is apparent to even a casual observer.
Therefore, there remains a need for a corner piece that provides the appearance of a more natural termination of the courses of a siding facade employing simulated cedar impression siding panels and for a corner piece that more effectively blends the corner piece into the facade to mask the presence of the corner piece and promote the overall desired appearance of a random selection of individual shingles.
SUMMARY
Embodiments of a corner siding product may include a plurality of panels. Each panel may include a front face with a simulated pattern, a hollow back, a longitudinal length L extending in an x-direction, a lateral width W extending in a y-direction, and a depth D extending in a z-direction. In addition, the corner siding product may include a living hinge extending in the y-direction between the panels along side edges thereof.
Embodiments of the corner siding product can have an uninstalled configuration wherein it is substantially planar. Embodiments of the corner siding product also can have an installed configuration wherein the living hinge permits the panels to be non-planar relative to each other, such that they are complementary in shape to a corner of a building.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages of these embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
So that the manner in which the features and advantages of the embodiments are attained and can be understood in more detail, a more particular description may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. However, the drawings illustrate only some embodiments and therefore are not to be considered limiting in scope as there may be other equally effective embodiments as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.
FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of corner siding in an uninstalled configuration.
FIG. 2 is a sectional end view of the corner siding of FIG. 1, taken along the line 2-2.
FIG. 3 a rear view of an embodiment of corner siding, in the uninstalled configuration.
FIG. 4 is a side view an embodiment of corner siding in an installed configuration.
FIG. 5 is a front isometric view of an embodiment of corner siding in the installed configuration.
FIG. 6 is a top sectional view of the corner siding of FIG. 3, taken along the line 6-6.
FIGS. 7 and 8 are rear views of embodiments of panels, before and after segmentation, respectively.
FIG. 9 is a rear isometric view of an embodiment of panels joined with a clip.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged isometric view of the clip of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a rear isometric view of another embodiment of panels joined with a different clip.
FIGS. 12 and 13 are rear isometric views of the panels and clip of FIG. 11, respectively showing the reversibility of the design.
FIG. 14 is an enlarged isometric view of the clip of FIGS. 11-13.



The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments of a system, method and apparatus for corner siding are disclosed. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1-8, a corner siding product 10 may include one or more panels 11 (e.g., only two shown). Each panel 11 may comprise a front face 13 (FIG. 2) with a simulated pattern, such as a simulated wood grain, like cedar. Each of the panels 11 may include a selected shape, such as a rectangular shape, a trapezoidal shape, or a right trapezoidal shape, for example.
In some versions, panel 11 may include a hollow back 15 (FIG. 3), a longitudinal length L (FIG. 4) extending in an x-direction, a lateral width W extending in a y-direction, a depth D (FIG. 2) extending in a z-direction. Embodiments of panel 11 may comprise a hinge, such as a living hinge 21, that extends in the y-direction between the panels along inner side edges 23 thereof. The living hinge 21 can be a double-hinge, as shown, or a single hinge. In various embodiments, the living hinge 21 may comprise one or more hinges along the x-axis between panels 11.
In some embodiments, the corner siding product 10 may have an uninstalled configuration (FIG. 1) that can be substantially planar. In addition, the corner siding product 10 can have an installed configuration (FIG. 5), where the living hinge 21 permits the panels 11 to be non-planar relative to each other, such that they are complementary in shape to a corner of a building.
Versions of the living hinge 21 can have a thickness 25 (FIG. 6) that is less than a thickness 27 (FIG. 2) of one of the panels 11, relative to the z-direction. Embodiments of the living hinge thickness 25 can be at least about 0.010 inches, such as at least about 0.020 inches, or even at least about 0.030 inches. In other versions, the living hinge thickness 25 can be not greater than about 0.040 inches, such as not greater than about 0.030 inches, or even not greater than about 0.020 inches. Embodiments of the living hinge thickness 25 can be in a range between any of these values.
Embodiments of the panel thickness 27 can be at least about 0.070 inches, such as at least about 0.080 inches, or even at least about 0.090 inches. In other versions, the panel thickness 27 can be not greater than about 1.010 inches, such as not greater than about 1.000 inches, or even not greater than about 0.090 inches. Embodiments of the panel thickness 27 can be in a range between any of these values.
Versions of the living hinge 21 may include a hinge body 31 (FIG. 6) and hinge sides 33 on opposite sides of the hinge body 31. The hinge body 31 can have the hinge body thickness 25, which can be greater than a thickness 29 of one of the hinge sides 33, relative to the z-direction. In some versions, the hinge body 31 (FIG. 6) can have a hinge body width 35 that is greater than a width 37 of one of the hinge sides 33, relative to the y-direction. The corner siding product 10 can hinge along at least one of the hinge sides 33 when in the installed configuration (FIG. 5).
In some examples, the hinge sides thickness 29 can be at least about 0.010 inches, such as at least about 0.020 inches. Other versions of the hinge sides thickness can be not greater than about 0.030 inches, such as not greater than about 0.020 inches. Embodiments of the hinge sides thickness 27 can be in a range between any of these values.
Embodiments of the living hinge 21 can have a length 41 (FIG. 4). Length 41 can be equal to or less than a length L of the panels 11, relative to the x-direction. In some versions, a first slot 43 is located between the panels 11 adjacent the living hinge 21. The first slot 43 can have a length 45 that is less than the living hinge length 41, relative to the x-direction. In addition, a second slot 51 (FIGS. 1, 4, 5) can be included between the panels 11 opposite the first slot 43. For example, the living hinge 21 can be located between the first and second slots 43, 51. In some embodiments, the first slot length 45 can be greater than a length 53 of the second slot 51, relative to the x-direction. In some versions, each of the living hinge 21, first slot 43 and second slot 51 can have a width 61, 63, 65, respectively, extending in the y-direction, that increases along a length L of the panels in the x-direction. In a particular example, the corner siding product 10 may consist of only one living hinge 21, the slots 43, 51 may be formed in the corner siding product 10 on each longitudinal end of the living hinge 21, and each slot 43, 51 may be tapered.
Embodiments of the corner siding product 10 may further include a transverse slot 71 (FIG. 1) adjacent the living hinge 21. For example, the transverse slot 71 can intersect at least one of the first and second slots 43, 51 (e.g., shown intersecting slot 43 in FIG. 1). The transverse slot 71 can be substantially perpendicular to said at least one of first and second slots 43, 51. In some versions, the corner siding product 10 can include a pair of transverse slots 71 that respectively intersect the first and second slots 43, 51 adjacent the living hinge 21. In some embodiments, the transverse slot 71 that intersects the first slot 43 can be wider in the y-direction than the transverse slot that intersects the second slot 51.
Alternate embodiments of the corner siding product 10 may include a compound mitre, such that each panel 11 is tapered in at least two directions. Versions of the installed configuration (e.g., FIGS. 4 and 5) can include an outside corner defined as two panels 11 forming a convex configuration for the front faces 13 thereof. Alternatively, the installed configuration may include an inside corner (not shown, but with panels 11 inverted) defined as two panels 11 forming a concave configuration for the front faces 13 thereof. Examples of the installed configuration may include an angle formed between the front faces 13 of the panels 11. In particular versions, the angle can be at least about 45 degrees, and can be not greater than about 270 degrees. The angle also can be any angle therebetween. In the installed configuration, the panels 11 can be not orthogonal to each other. In other versions of the installed configuration, the panels 11 can be substantially perpendicular.
In some versions (FIGS. 7 and 8), each panel 11 of the corner siding product 10 can be cut or trimmed in segments 53, 55. For example, each segment 53, 55 can include a notch 57 (FIG. 7). The notches 57 extend along the longitudinal length of each segment 53, 55 at an outboard intersection of long ribs 61 when facing a rear (i.e., the hollow back 15) of the segment 53, 55. Each segment 53, 55 may include a long rib 61 that extends longitudinally in the hollow back 15. For example, after trimming segment 53 (e.g., along the vertical dashed line in FIG. 7), the long rib 61a becomes the outer perimeter side wall (FIG. 8) of the panel 11. The same procedure may be performed for segment 55, such that long rib 61b would become the outer perimeter side wall.
Accordingly, at least one panel 11 can be trimmable by at least one segment 53. When the at least one segment 53 is trimmed from the at least one panel 11, the corner panel 10 can include a desired lateral offset effect between vertically adjacent ones of the corner panels 10 in the installed configurations. Examples of the at least one segment 53 may include the notch 57 extending along an outboard side of the hollow back 15 of the at least one panel 11.
Embodiments of the at least one segment 53 may include the long rib 61 that extends longitudinally in the hollow back 15 of the at least one panel 11. After trimming the at least one segment 53, the long rib 61 is an outer perimeter side wall of the at least one panel 11. In some versions, all of the panels 11 include at least one segment 53. In other versions, all of the panels 11 include a plurality of segments 53, 55.
In still other embodiments, the corner siding product 10 may further include at least one clip or fastener. For example, FIGS. 9-14 show examples of clips that can be used to join individual panels that do not have a hinge extending between them. However, the clips may be used with or without panels with hinges. The clips may be used to secure and bind the panels together and form a corner. The panels can otherwise be identical to the various embodiments of the panels described herein.
In one embodiment, FIGS. 9 and 10 depict two individual panels 111 and a clip 113. Each panel 111 has an inner wall 115 along their perimeters. The inner walls 115 may be provided with an extended slot or recess 117. The recess 117 may have a consistent sectional shape, such as a narrow rectangular notch. The clip 113 may be formed from a metallic material and, as shown in FIG. 10, may have ribs 119 that protrude inward toward each other to engage the recesses 117 in the installed configuration.
To join two of the panels 111, one panel 111 is perpendicularly placed next to the other panel 111 to form a corner (FIG. 9). One rib 119 of the clip 113 is snapped into one recess 117, and the clip 113 may be snapped into the recess 117 on the other panel 111 to hold the panels 111 together. This design and the clip 113 are reversible, such that either panel 111 can overlap the other.
In another embodiment, FIGS. 11-14 depict two individual panels 211 and a clip 213. Each panel 211 has an inner wall 215 along their perimeters. A small rib 217 may extend rearward from the rear surface of each panel 211, adjacent the inner wall 215 and lower inner corner, as shown. The ribs 217 may have a sectional shape, such as a narrow rectangular tab. The clip 213 may be formed from a metallic material and, as shown in FIG. 14, may have one slot 219 sized and shaped to engage and retain one rib 217, and at least one other slot 221 (e.g., two shown) sized and shaped to engage and retain one inner wall 215, in the installed configuration. Slots 219, 221 may be perpendicular to each other, and slot 219 may be wider and shallower than slot 221, as illustrated.
To join two of the panels 211, slot 221 of clip 213 is snapped onto one inner wall 215 of one panel. The other panel 211 is perpendicularly placed next to the first panel 211 to form a corner. For example, FIG. 12 shows right panel 211 overlapping left panel 211, and FIG. 13 shows left panel 211 overlapping right panel 211. Slot 219 of clip 213 may then be snapped onto the rib 217 on the other panel 211 to hold the panels 211 together. Accordingly, this design and the clip 213 are reversible, such that either panel 211 can overlap the other.
This written description uses examples to disclose the embodiments, including the best mode, and also to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
Note that not all of the activities described above in the general description or the examples are required, that a portion of a specific activity may not be required, and that one or more further activities may be performed in addition to those described. Still further, the order in which activities are listed are not necessarily the order in which they are performed.
In the foregoing specification, the concepts have been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of invention.
As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of features is not necessarily limited only to those features but may include other features not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive-or and not to an exclusive-or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
Also, the use of “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any feature(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature of any or all the claims.
After reading the specification, skilled artisans will appreciate that certain features are, for clarity, described herein in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any subcombination. Further, references to values stated in ranges include each and every value within that range.

## Claims

1. A corner siding product, comprising:
a plurality of panels, each comprising a front face with a simulated pattern, a length extending in a longitudinal or x-direction, a width extending in a lateral or y-direction, a depth extending in a transverse or z-direction, and a living hinge contiguous with and generally extending in the lateral direction between the panels along side edges thereof;
the corner siding product has an uninstalled configuration wherein it is substantially planar, and an installed configuration wherein the living hinge permits the panels to be non-planar relative to each other, such that they are complementary in shape to a corner of a building;
wherein the living hinge has a thickness that is less than a panel wall thickness in the z-direction; and
further wherein the living hinge comprising a hinge body and hinge sides on opposite sides of the hinge body, the hinge body has the hinge body thickness, and the hinge body thickness is greater than a hinge side thickness in the z-direction.

2. The corner siding product of claim 1, wherein the living hinge thickness is in a range of about 0.010 inches to about 0.040 inches, and the panel wall thickness is in a range of about 0.070 inches to about 1.010 inches.

3. The corner siding product of claim 1, wherein the hinge body has a hinge body width that is greater than a hinge side width in the y-direction.

4. The corner siding product of claim 1, wherein the hinge side thickness is in a range of about 0.010 inches to about 0.030 inches, and the corner siding product hinges along at least one of the hinge sides when in the installed configuration.

5. The corner siding product of claim 1, wherein the living hinge has a length that is less than the panel length in the x-direction.

6. The corner siding product of claim 5, wherein a first slot is located between the panels adjacent the living hinge, and the first slot has a length that is less than the living hinge length in the x-direction.

7. The corner siding product of claim 6, wherein a second slot is located between the panels opposite the first slot, such that the living hinge is located between the first and second slots, and the first slot length is greater than a second slot length in the x-direction.

8. The corner siding product of claim 7, wherein each of the living hinge, first slot and second slot have a width, respectively, extending in the y-direction, that increases along the panel length in the x-direction.

9. The corner siding product of claim 7, further comprising a transverse slot adjacent the living hinge, the transverse slot intersects at least one of the first and second slots, and the transverse slot is substantially perpendicular to said at least one of first and second slots.

10. The corner siding product of claim 9, wherein the panels comprise a pair of transverse slots that respectively intersect the first and second slots adjacent the living hinge.

11. The corner siding product of claim 10, wherein the transverse slot that intersects the first slot is wider in the y-direction than the transverse slot that intersects the second slot.

12. The corner siding product of claim 1, wherein each panel is tapered in at least two directions.

13. The corner siding product of claim 1, wherein the plurality of panels is only two panels.

14. The corner siding product of claim 1, wherein the corner siding product consists of only one living hinge, a slot is formed in the corner siding product on each longitudinal end of the living hinge, and each slot is tapered.

15. The corner siding product of claim 1, wherein the installed configuration comprises an outside corner defined as two panels forming a convex configuration for the front faces thereof.

16. The corner siding product of claim 1, wherein the installed configuration comprises an inside corner defined as two panels forming a concave configuration for the front faces thereof.

17. The corner siding product of claim 1, wherein, in the installed configuration, an angle is formed between the front faces of the panels, and the angle is at least about 45 degrees and not greater than about 270 degrees.

18. The corner siding product of claim 1, wherein, in the installed configuration, the panels are not orthogonal to each other.

19. The corner siding product of claim 1, further comprising at least one clip or fastener to bind the panels together at the corner.

20. The corner siding product of claim 1, wherein, in the installed configuration, the panels are substantially perpendicular.

21. The corner siding product of claim 1, wherein each of the panels comprises a trapezoidal shape, a right trapezoidal shape or a rectangular shape.

22. The corner siding product of claim 1, wherein the panels are staggered relative to each other, such that they do not align in the x-direction.

23. A corner siding product, comprising:
a plurality of panels, each comprising a front face with a simulated pattern, a length extending in a longitudinal or x-direction, a width extending in a lateral or y-direction, a depth extending in a transverse or z-direction;
means for joining the panels together;
the corner siding product has an uninstalled configuration wherein the panels are substantially planar relative to each other, and an installed configuration wherein the means for joining the panels configures the panels non-planar relative to each other, such that they are complementary in shape to a corner of a building;
wherein the means for joining the panels has a thickness that is less than a panel wall thickness in the z-direction; and
further wherein the means for joining the panels comprising a hinge body and hinge sides on opposite sides of the hinge body, the hinge body has the hinge body thickness, and the hinge body thickness is greater than a hinge side thickness in the z-direction.

24. The corner siding product of claim 23, wherein the means for joining the panels together comprises at least one of a clip, fastener, snap features, adhesive or interlock system.

25. The corner siding product of claim 23, wherein the installed configuration is formed during manufacturing of the corner siding product.

26. The corner siding product of claim 23, wherein the installed configuration is formed after manufacturing of the corner siding product, and at a siding installation job site.

27. The corner siding product of claim 23, wherein the panels are staggered relative to each other, such that they do not align in the x-direction.