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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The subject patent application is a divisional application of and claims priority to and all the benefits of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/438,165, which was filed on May 22, 2006, and which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/682,692, which was filed on May 20, 2005. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The subject invention generally relates to exterior siding mounting brackets and more particularly to exterior siding mounting brackets having an integrated water diversion device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Especially common in residential building structures, exterior walls or underlayment are known to be covered with a siding material typically made of aluminum, plastic, cedar or other synthetic material often made to appear like wood. Often, various exterior appendages of the home such as drying vents, exterior light fixtures, electrical outlets, and water spigots must be trimmed-out for aesthetic reasons. This is commonly done with a mounting bracket similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 1  as prior art and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,708 and incorporated herein by reference in it&#39;s entirety. The known bracket  20  has a base member  22  that snap fits to a trim member  24  along an axis  26  disposed perpendicular to the underlayment and during assembly. The base member  22  has a continuous flange  28  that projects radially outward and is typically nailed to the underlayment. Projecting axially or laterally outward from the flange  28  and to an inner central panel  30  is a continuous wall  32 . Generally, the wall  32  defines the perimeter of the central panel  30 . A cutout  34  communicates through the panel  30  and has a shape generally dictated by the appendage projecting through it (not shown). 
         [0004]    The trim member  24  has a continuous partition  36  that projects laterally and axially inward toward the base member  22 , and a aesthetically pleasing flange  38  that projects radially outward from the partition  36 . An opening  39  is generally defined by the partition  36  and receives the wall  32  and panel  30  when the bracket  20  is assembled. The partition  36  is generally shaped to conform with the wall  32 . Multi-positional snap fit features (not shown) are known to be carried between a radially outward surface  40  of the wall  32  and a radially inward surface  42  of the partition  36 . When the bracket is assembled, the close proximity of the partition  36  to the wall  32  causes the feature to lock the partition and wall together. 
         [0005]    During construction of the building, once the base member  22  is secured to the wall, the siding material is installed over the wall and over the flange  28 . The siding, however, must be trimmed so that it is slightly spaced from the continuous wall  32  of the base member  22 . This spacing allows room for entry of the continuous partition  36  of the trim piece  24 , yet is close enough to the wall so that the ends are aesthetically concealed by the outer flange  38  of the trim member  24  which is substantially flush to the siding. Unfortunately, the siding is typically exposed to rain or water which flows down the siding and beneath the exterior flange  38 . This water can accumulate and seep into the concealed ends of the siding and seep further to down the inner flange  28  of the base member  22  exposing the underlayment to moisture. This retain moisture can potentially create a host of problems including the rot of wood, disintegration of simulated materials and the attraction of unwanted insects. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES 
       [0006]    The present invention includes an exterior siding mounting bracket secured to substructure and orientated substantially vertical and in-part generally projecting over siding that covers the substructure. The exterior siding mounting bracket comprises a base member attached to the substructure and having at least one elongated wall projecting laterally outward from the substructure. A trim member has an outer flange with the siding disposed between the substructure and the outer flange. The exterior siding mounting bracket includes an elongated first side partition and an elongated second side partition spaced from the first side partition by a first distance. The first and second side partitions project laterally inward with respect to the substructure and from the outer flange for snap fitting to the at least one elongated wall. A water diversion device has a trough located above the first and second side partitions, supported by the outer flange and projecting laterally toward the substructure for receiving and diverting water run-off away from the substructure. At least one drainage tube of the water diversion device projects unitarily downward from the trough. 
         [0007]    Features, advantages and benefits of the present invention include a mounting bracket with improved water shedding capabilities that eliminates the potential of sheathing from being exposed to moisture which could cause damage to structural material and potentially attract unwanted insects. Other advantages include the reduction or elimination of structural maintenance, a bracket design that is relatively simple and robust, and a bracket that is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to install. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0008]    Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a prior art mounting bracket; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a water diversion device of a mounting bracket embodying the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective front view of a base member of the mounting bracket of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective rear view of a trim member of the mounting bracket; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective rear view of the mounting bracket; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the mounting bracket; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a cross section of the mounting bracket taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a partial enlarged cross section of the mounting bracket taken from circle  8  of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a perspective front view of a second embodiment of a trim member of a mounting bracket; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a partial enlarged cross section of the trim member taken from circle  10  of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is top view of the trim member of the second embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the trim member of the second embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a water diversion device of a third embodiment of a mounting bracket; 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a partial enlarged perspective view of the water diversion device taken from circle  14  of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is perspective rear view of the third embodiment with a base member removed to show internal detail; 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a perspective rear view of a trim member of the third embodiment; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is a cut-away environmental view of the mounting bracket. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0026]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 2-8 , a mounting bracket  50  embodying the present invention that preferably fastens to a substructure of an exterior wall is a substantially vertical orientation. The substructure is generally an underlayment or sheathing that is preferably covered with a siding material as shown in  FIG. 17 . The mounting bracket  50  has a base member  52  that snap fits to a trim member  54  along an axis  56  preferably disposed substantially perpendicular to the underlayment and during assembly. The base member  52  has continuous flange  58  and a preferably continuous wall arrangement  62  (see  FIG. 3 ). The flange  58  projects radially outward from the wall arrangement  62  and is typically nailed to the underlayment. The wall arrangement  62  projects axially or laterally outward from the flange  58  and preferably to an inner central panel  60  spaced from and orientated substantially parallel to the underlayment. Generally, the wall arrangement  62  defines or carries a perimeter  63  of the central panel  60 . A cutout  64  communicates through the panel  32  and has a shape generally dictated by the appendage projecting through it (not shown). 
         [0027]    The trim member  54  preferably has a continuous partition arrangement  66  that projects laterally and/or axially inward toward the base member  52 , and an aesthetically pleasing flange  68  that projects radially outward from the partition arrangement  66 . The partition arrangement  66  is generally shaped to conform with the wall arrangement  62 . Multi-positional snap fit features (not shown) are preferably carried between a radially outward surface  70  of the wall arrangement  62  and a radially inward surface  72  of the partition arrangement  66 . When the bracket  50  is assembled, the close proximity of the partition arrangement  66  to the wall arrangement  62  causes the feature to lock the partition and wall arrangements together at an axial orientation generally dictated by the thickness of the siding. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , preferably the wall arrangement  62  of the base member  52  forms a rectangular or square shape having a left side wall  74 , a right side wall  76 , a top wall  78  and a bottom wall  80 . The side wall  74 ,  76  are substantially vertical and the top and bottom wall  78 ,  80  are substantially horizontal. The top wall  78  extends longitudinally between top ends of respective left and right side walls  74 ,  76  thus having a longitudinal length that is generally equal to a spatial distance  82  measured between the side walls  74 ,  76 . Similarly, the flange  58  of the base member  52  has a left portion  84  associated with the left side wall  74 , a right portion  86  associated with the right side wall  76 , a top portion  88  associated with the top wall  78 , and preferably a bottom portion  90  associated with the bottom wall  80 . One skilled in the art, however, would now realize that the continuous wall arrangement  62  may take the form of any shape including but not limited to that of a circle, oval, octagon and hexagon. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , preferably the partition arrangement  66  of the trim member  54  conforms in shape to the wall arrangement  62 , thus preferably having a left side partition  92 , a right side partition  94 , a top partition  96  and a bottom partition  98 . The side partitions  92 ,  94  are substantially vertical and the top and bottom partitions  96 ,  98  are substantially horizontal. Similarly, the flange  68  of the trim member  54  has a left portion  100  associated with the left side partition  92 , a right portion  102  associated with the right side partition  94 , a top portion  104  associated with the top partition  96 , and preferably a bottom portion  106  associated with the bottom partition  98 . 
         [0030]    A water diversion device  105  catches water shedding off of the siding generally at the top of the mounting bracket  50  and diverts the flow outward and away from the underlayment. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the water diversion device  105  preferably has an eave  107  and a lower trough  108 . Preferably, both the eave  107  and the trough  108  have respective end dams  110 ,  112  that directs water flow. Water flowing into the eave  107  cascades into the trough  108  where it is preferably directed through first and second holes  114 ,  116  of the device  105  in the trim flange  68 . 
         [0031]    The eave  107  has an elongated shelf  118  having opposite ends attached to the respective end dams  110  and a chamfered backsplash  120  that extends longitudinally with the shelf  118  and generally connects with the end dams  110 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the backsplash  120  of the eave  107  is preferably secured to the top portion  88  of the flange  58  via an adhesive or is injection molded as one unitary plastic piece. If the eave  107  and the base member  52  are one piece, an inward face  122  of the flange  58  may generally act as the backsplash  120 . The trough  108  has an elongated bottom segment  124  having opposite ends attached to the respective end dams  112  and an elongated lip  126  that projects laterally upward from and extends longitudinally with the bottom segment  124  and generally connects sealably to the end dams  112 . A forward longitudinal edge  128  of the bottom segment  124  is preferably connected to the top portion  104  of the trim flange  68  via a water resistant adhesive. Alternatively, the bottom segment  124  can be integrated into the top partition  96  of the partition arrangement  66  if the trough  108  and the trim member  54  are injection molded as one unitary plastic piece. In either case, the trough  108  carries a generally concave face  130  that defines a water channel  132  that is generally open upward for receipt of water dropping from the eave  107 . Water entering the channel  132  then flows out through the communicating holes  114 ,  116 . 
         [0032]    The substantially horizontal distance between holes  114 ,  116  is preferably greater than the distance  82  measured between the side walls  74 ,  76  of the wall arrangement  62 , and preferably less than a horizontal width or distance  139  of the base flange  58 . In order for the holes  114 ,  116  to communicate directly with the channel  132  of the trough  108 , the distance between the end dams  112  is greater than the distance between the holes  114 ,  116 . For mounting bracket applications that can adjust to varying thicknesses of siding, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,431 assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference in it&#39;s entirety, the horizontal or lateral width of the trough  108  generally represents the minimum thickness of siding compatible with the mounting bracket  50  (see  FIG. 8 ). Moreover, the width of the eave  107  is less than the width of the trough  108  to assure that the eave  107  does not abut against the trim flange  68  which would undesirable restrict water flow when a minimum siding thickness is applied. However, the width of the eave  107  is large enough to handle the thickness range of siding that the bracket  50  is compatible with. That is, the width of the eave  107  represents the difference in thickness between the maximum and minimum siding thicknesses that the bracket  50  can generally handle with the assembled outcome being the trim flange  68  being substantially flush with an exterior surface of the siding. 
         [0033]    During construction of the building and with the sheathing on the exterior wall, the flange  58  of the base member  52  is preferably nailed to the sheathing. The siding material is then installed over the wall and over the base flange  28 . The siding, however, must be trimmed or cut to create a gap between the cut ends and the side walls  74 ,  76  of the continuous wall  62  of the base member  52 . This gap allows room for entry of the side partitions  92 ,  94  of the continuous partition arrangement  66  of the trim member  54 , yet is close enough to the wall so that the cut ends are aesthetically concealed by the outer flange  68  of the trim member  54  which is substantially flush to the siding. Similarly, the siding must be appropriately trimmed to cover a portion of the top portion  88  of the base flange  58  but clear enough from the top wall  78  to permit space for the protruding eave  107 . 
         [0034]    When fully assembled, water drips off of the siding located above the eave  107  and falls into the eave. From there, the water falls into the trough  108  and out the holes  114 ,  116 . After flowing from the holes, the water drips down the exterior face of the left and right side portions  102 ,  104  of the trim flange  68  where it then sheds upon the exterior face of the siding below or simple falls to the ground clear of the sheathing. 
         [0035]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 9-12 , a second embodiment of the mounting bracket  50 ′ is illustrated wherein like elements have like identifying numerals except with the addition of a prime symbol. In the second embodiment, the eave  107  of the first embodiment is not required. Instead, the mounting bracket  50 ′ has a trough  108 ′ of a water diversion device  105 ′ having a resiliently flexible lip  126 ′ that is biased against a top portion  88 ′ of a base flange  58 ′ of a base member (not shown). Preferably, the trim member  54 ′ and a portion of the trough  108 ′ is made of injection molded plastic and the lip  126 ′ is a rubber like material either press fitted to the plastic portion of the trough  108 ′ or is formed to the trim member  54 ′ during a dual injection manufacturing process generally known in the art. Preferably, the lip  126 ′ projects from a shelf  124 ′ at an angle directed in an upward and inward direction. The width or projection of the lip  126 ′ is sufficiently large to accommodate a range of siding thicknesses. 
         [0036]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 13-16 , a third embodiment of the mounting bracket  50 ″ is illustrated wherein like elements have like identifying numerals except with the addition of a double prime symbol. In this third embodiment, the holes  114 ,  116  of the first embodiment are not in the top portion  104 ″ of the trim flange  68 ″ and instead holes  114 ″,  116 ″ are placed in a bottom segment  124 ″ of a trough  108 ″ of a water diversion device  105 ″. Preferably, the holes  114 ″,  116 ″ are located at respective ends of the trough  108 ″ and generally skewed toward the trim flange  68 ″ as oppose to a base flange (not shown). The holes  114 ″,  116 – each communicate with respective passages  146  defined by substantially vertical drainage tubes  142 ,  144  connected to and generally draping down from the bottom segment  124 ″ thus forming an inverted U-shape. A channel  132 ″ of the trough  108 ″ is generally defined by two opposing dam ends  112 ″, a longitudinal first lip  126 ″ and a longitudinal second lip  140  disposed opposite the first lip  126 ″. 
         [0037]    In this third embodiment of bracket  50 ″ the trim flange  68 ″ is preferably not generally flush with the siding. Instead, an outer peripheral rim  148  projects axially inward from the trim flange  68 ″ and at a distance to at least partially accommodate the tubes  142 ,  144 . That is, when the bracket  50 ″ is fully assembly, the siding is generally disposed between the base flange of a base member (not shown) and the tubes  142 ,  144 , and the tubes are generally layered between the left and right portions of the trim flange  68 ″ and the siding near the cut ends of the siding. Preferably, two notches  150  are cut out from a bottom portion of the rim  148  to permit passage of the distal ends of the respective tubes  142 ,  144 . 
         [0038]    During assembly of bracket  50 ″, the inverted U-shaped trough  108 ″ and tubes  142 ,  144  can be draped over the partition arrangement of the trim member  54 ″ as a third piece of the bracket  50 ″. Alternatively, portions or all of the trough  108 ″ and tubes  142 ,  144  can be integrated or molded into the adjacent trim flange and partition arrangement of the trim member  54 ″. 
         [0039]    The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that reference numerals are utilized merely for convenience and are not to be limiting in any way, and that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Summary:
An exterior siding mounting bracket is secured to a substructure and projects over siding that covers the substructure. The bracket comprises a base member attached to the substructure and has at least one elongated wall projecting laterally outward from the substructure. A trim member has an outer flange with the siding disposed between the substructure and the outer flange. First and second side partitions project laterally inward with respect to the substructure and from the outer flange for snap fitting to the at least one elongated wall. A water diversion device has a trough located above the first and second side partitions supported by the outer flange and projecting laterally toward the substructure for receiving and diverting water run-off away from the substructure. At least one drainage tube of the water diversion device projects unitarily downward from the trough.