Patent Publication Number: US-11649638-B2

Title: Board and batten siding

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention generally relates to modular, board and batten siding and, more specifically, to modular board and batten siding that has the look of wood despite being made from a non-wood material. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the present invention is a siding panel to be attached to a building. The siding panel is an elongated body with a multi-tiered outer face. A securing flange portion is located at a first end of the elongated body. The securing flange portion is generally vertical when the elongated body is attached in a generally vertical manner to a surface of a building. The elongated body also has a receiving channel located near the side of the securing flange portion. The receiving channel has an opening with a first distance and an end with a second distance that is longer than the first distance. The elongated body has a tab portion at a second end of the elongated body. The tab portion will be generally vertical when the elongated body is attached in a generally vertical manner to a surface of a building. The tab portion extends from a second end surface extending from a tier of a multi-tiered outer face adjacent to the second end. The tab portion has a peak that is formed between the first angled surface and a second angled surface. The height of the peak in comparison to the intersection of the second end surface and the first angled surface of the tab portion is a third distance. The third distance is longer than the first distance of the opening in the receiving channel. 
     In another aspect, the invention includes a building siding system. The building siding system includes a plurality of siding panels having an elongated body with a multi-tiered outer face. The siding panels have a securing flange portion at a first end of the elongated body, with the securing flange portion being generally vertical when the elongated body is attached in a generally vertical orientation to the surface of a building. A receiving channel is located near the side of the securing flange portion. The receiving channel has an opening with a first distance and an end with a second distance that is longer than the first distance. The elongated body has a tab portion at a second end, being generally vertical when the elongated body is attached in a generally vertical orientation to the surface of a building. The tab portion extends from a second end surface extending the tier of a multi-tier outer face adjacent to the second end. The tab portion has a peak that is formed between the first angled surface and a second angled surface. The height of the peak in comparison to the intersection of the second end surface and the first angled surface of the tab portion is a third distance. The third distance is longer than the first distance of the receiving channel. The tab portion of one siding panel is received in the receiving channel of an adjacent siding panel such that the peak of the tab portion is positioned between the opening and the end of the receiving channel. 
     In yet a further aspect, the invention includes a siding panel with an elongated body having a multi-tiered outer face. The securing flange portion is located at a first end of the elongated body and is generally parallel to the multi-tiered outer face. A receiving channel extends from one of the tiers of the multi-tiered outer face located adjacent to the securing flange portion. The receiving channel has an opening with a first height and an end with a second height that is longer than the first height. A tab portion is located at the second end of an elongated body. The tab portion extends from the second end surface extending from the tier of the multi-tiered outer face adjacent to the second end. The tab has a peak that is formed between a first angled surface and a second angled surface. The height of the peak in comparison to the intersection of the second end surface and the first angled surface of the tab portion is a third height. The third height of the peak is longer than the first height of the receiving channel. 
     These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a partial rear view of a siding panel according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view of the siding panel shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the siding panel shown in  FIG.  1   , taken along line III as shown in  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the siding panel shown in  FIG.  1   , taken along line IV as shown in  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a bottom view of the siding panel shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a partial rear view of a siding panel according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional view of the siding panel shown in  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  8    is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the siding panel shown in  FIG.  6   , taken along line VIII, as shown in  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  9    is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the siding panel shown in  FIG.  6   , taken along line IX, as shown in  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  10    is a bottom view of the siding panel shown in  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  11    shows adjacent siding panels of either  FIG.  1    or  FIG.  6   , connected together; and 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a number of siding panels of the siding panels shown in  FIG.  1    installed together on the wall of a building. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As referenced in the figures, the same reference numerals may be used herein to refer to the same parameters and components or their similar modifications and alternatives. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the present disclosure as oriented in the Figures. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. The drawings referenced herein are schematic and associated views thereof are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
     As referred to in  FIGS.  1 - 5   , an embodiment of a siding panel  2  is shown. The siding panel  2  is an elongated body with an outer face  4  and an inner face  10 . The outer face  4  includes multiple tiers. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  1 - 5   , the outer face  4  has a first end tier  6  and a second end tier  8  that are connected by a wall  7 . In the illustrated embodiment, the wall  7  is an angled wall that has angles B (between the wall  7  and the second end tier  8 ) and C (between the wall  7  and first end tier  6 ) that are larger than 90°, as shown in  FIG.  2   . The siding panel  2  can include more than two tiers, and the walls  7  that separate the tiers can be straight, angled, and/or include multiple surfaces on the walls  7 . The siding panel  2  includes a first end  12  and a second end  14 . The first end  12  and second end  14  will be spaced apart horizontally when the siding panel  2  is installed in a generally vertical manner on the side of a building. 
     A securing flange portion  16  is located at the first end  12 . The securing flange portion  16  includes a plurality of fastener openings  18  to permit fasteners to secure the securing flange portion  16  to the side of a building. When the siding panel  2  is installed in a vertical manner, the fastener openings  18  will be generally spaced apart vertically on the side of the building. A first end wall  20  extends from the securing flange portion  16 . As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , first end wall  20  can be angled. A generally flat section  22 , which is generally parallel to the first end tier  6 , is connected to the first end wall  20 . A generally straight surface  24  extends generally perpendicular to the first end tier  6 , as illustrated in  FIG.  2   . 
     A receiving channel  26  is defined by the space between the first end tier  6  and an angled wall  32  that is connected to the generally straight surface  24  and the end wall  30  of the receiving channel  26 . The receiving channel  26  has an opening  28  with a first height  29  and a second height  31  at the end  30 . The first height  29  is smaller than the second height  31 , as illustrated in  FIG.  4   . The reference to the heights  29 ,  31  of the receiving channel  26  are done in the context of viewing the receiving channel  26  from a cross-sectional view, as illustrated in  FIG.  4   . 
     A tab portion  40  is located near the second end  14  of the siding panel  2 . The tab portion  40  includes a peak  46  that is formed in between a first angled surface  42  and a second angled surface  44 , as illustrated in  FIG.  3   . The height  47  of the peak  46  is measured from the bottom of the first angled surface  42  where it intersects the second end wall  38 . The angle A between the second end wall  38  and the second end tier  8  is greater than 90°, as shown in  FIG.  2   . Height  47  is greater than the first height  29  of the receiving channel  26 . This permits the tab portion  40  to be received and retained in the receiving channel  26  when adjacent siding panels  2  are coupled together. The coupling of the tab portion  40  in the receiving channel  26  can be accomplished by sliding the tab portion  40  into the receiving channel  26  or can be accomplished by inserting the tab portion  40  into the receiving channel  26  from an angle and then rotating one siding panel  2  with respect to the other siding panel  2 . This friction lock prevents water from working behind the siding panel  2  and provides tension for a snap-like fit between adjacent siding panels  2 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 5   , the first end tier  6  and second end tier  8  are approximately the same width (W 6 , W 8 ). For example, once assembled, the first end tier  6  of one panel and the second end tier  8  of adjacent panels could result in visually equal tiers, such as each appearing to have the same width with a 5″ raised tier (W 8 ) next to a 5″ lowered tier (W 6 ). Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal ends of the second angled surface  44  and the first end  12  are rounded for safety in installation to prevent potentially sharp corners. The tiers  6 ,  8  can be of different widths and different heights. 
     Another embodiment of siding panel  102  is shown in  FIGS.  6 - 10   . In that embodiment, the first end tier  106  is wider than the second end tier  108 . The siding panel  102  includes a first end  112  and a second end  114 . The siding panel  102  also has an outer face  104  and an inner face  110 . A wall  107  connects the first end tier  106  and the second end tier  108 . The wall  107  can be angled, as illustrated in  FIG.  7   . A securing flange portion  116  is located at the first end  112 . The securing flange portion  116  includes a plurality of fastener openings  118 . A first end wall  120 , which can be angled, extends from the securing flange portion  116  to a generally flat section  122 . A generally straight surface  124  extends from the generally flat section  122 . A receiving channel  126  is formed between an angled surface  132  that connects to the generally straight surface  124  and the end  130  of the receiving channel  126 . The receiving channel  126  will have an opening  128  with a first height  129  and a second height  131  that is at the end  130 . 
     A tab portion  140  is located at the second end  114  of the siding panel  102 . A second end wall  138 , which can be angled, extends from the second end tier  108 . A first angled surface  142  extends from the second end wall  138 , as illustrated in  FIG.  8   . A second angled surface  144  extends from the first angled surface  142  to create a peak  146 . The peak  146  has a third height  147  when measured to the bottom of the first angled surface  142  connected to the second end surface  138 . The third height  147  will be greater than the first height  129  of the receiving channel  126  thereby permitting the tab portion  140  to be received and secured within the receiving channel  126  when adjacent panels  102  are installed to each other. 
     While the illustrated embodiments show outer faces  4 ,  104  having two tiers ( 6 ,  106  and  8 ,  108 ), three or more tiers can be used with the siding panels  2 ,  102 . Moreover, the relative width and height of the tiers with respect to each other can be adjusted. Moreover, while angles A, B, and C are illustrated as greater than 90° creating a shadowed design, alternative embodiments could utilize one or more angles A, B, or C less than 90°. 
     The siding panel  2  is shown in  FIG.  12    as being installed in a generally vertical manner on a building wall. It should be recognized that the siding panels  2 ,  102 , can be installed in other orientations and references to heights and widths are made in accordance with the orientations and cross-sectional views as illustrated in the drawings. For example, the siding panels  2 ,  102  can be installed horizontally on a wall, installed on a ceiling, installed as soffit, etc. 
     The illustrated embodiments do not use clips between adjacent panels, resulting in a clipless installation. The only securing mechanism necessary is the use of fasteners, such as screws, nails, etc. in the fastening openings  18 . Alternatively, additional securing mechanisms could be used to connect or locate adjacent panels to each other. This could include parts that overlap laterally adjacent panels. 
     The siding panels  2 ,  102  can be installed on multiple different types of backing surfaces and/or underlayments. This includes, but is not limited to, wood, polymeric materials, foam, metal, concrete, and material covered with underlayments, including water-proofing underlayments. 
     The outer face  4 ,  104  of siding panels  2 ,  102  can be painted, printed, stamped, embossed, and/or formed to look like wood. The outer face  4 ,  104  can have varying color and grain options to look like wood and so that adjacent panels  2 ,  102  look slightly different. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize, or will be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims. 
     While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the present disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein. 
     It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the present disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that, unless otherwise described, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes, and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating positions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations. 
     It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting. 
     It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.