Patent Publication Number: US-2012031011-A1

Title: Exterior siding mounting bracket assembly and method of assembly

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims priority to and all advantages of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/722,702 filed on Mar. 12, 2010, which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/423,849 filed on Jun. 13, 2006, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/689,343 which was filed on Jun. 13, 2005. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject invention generally relates to an exterior siding mounting bracket assembly and more particularly to a water diversion fitting used in conjunction with the mounting bracket for the diversion of water and method of assembling the same. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Especially common in residential building structures, the sheathing of exterior walls 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 cloths dryer vents, exterior light fixtures, electrical outlets, and water spigots must be trimmed-out for aesthetic reasons. This is commonly done with a mounting bracket. One such example of a known mounting bracket is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,708, assigned to the same assignee as the present invention and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The known mounting bracket has an internal base member that snap fits to an external trim member along an axis disposed perpendicular to the sheathing and during assembly. The base member has a continuous flange that projects radially outward and is typically nailed to the sheathing. Projecting axially or laterally outward from the flange and to an inner central panel is a continuous wall. Generally, the wall defines the perimeter of the central panel. A cutout communicates through the panel and has a shape generally dictated by the appendage projecting through it. 
     The trim member has a continuous partition that projects laterally and axially inward toward the base member, and an aesthetically pleasing flange that projects radially outward from the partition. An opening is generally defined by the partition and receives the wall and panel when the bracket is assembled. The partition is generally shaped to conform with the wall. Multi-positional snap fit features are known to be carried between a radially outward surface of the wall and a radially inward surface of the partition. When the bracket is assembled, the close proximity of the partition to the wall causes the feature to lock the partition and wall together. 
     During construction of the building, once the base member is secured to the wall, the siding material is installed over the wall and over the flange. The siding, however, must be trimmed so that it is slightly spaced from the continuous wall of the base member. This spacing allows room for entry of the continuous partition of the trim piece, yet is close enough to the wall so that the ends are aesthetically concealed by the outer flange of the trim member 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. This water can accumulate and seep into the concealed ends of the siding and seep further down to the inner flange of the base member exposing the sheathing to moisture. The retained 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 
     An exterior siding mounting bracket assembly used in conjunction with siding placed over sheathing of an exterior wall has a base member having a mounting flange fastened to the sheathing and a water diversion fitting also fastened to the sheathing and flashed in-part beneath the lower end of the mounting flange. A wall arrangement projects laterally outward from the mounting flange and away from the sheathing. A trim member of the bracket assembly has a partition arrangement that preferably snap fits to the wall arrangement and a trim flange constructed and arranged to substantially cover the water diversion fitting and the cut edges of the siding that cover in-part the mounting flange. Preferably, the water diversion fitting has an elongated drip edge spaced outwardly from the siding to shed water collected from generally cascaded from the mounting flange and outward from the siding. 
     Preferably, the water diversion fitting has a back panel having an upper segment that is orientated at least in-part beneath left and right portions of the mounting flange. A substantially horizontal shelf of the fitting carries the distal drip edge and is spaced below the wall arrangement. Sloped wings at both ends of the shelf of the fitting catch water cascaded from the side portions and diverts the flow upon the shelf. Both ends of the shelf have water dams to assure all water flows over the drip edge and not over the ends of the shelf. Preferably, a series of sloped ribs are formed on each side portion of the mounting flange to further channel water radially inward and generally against the wall arrangement. 
     Features, advantages and benefits of the present invention include a mounting bracket assembly with improved water shedding capabilities that eliminates or reduces exposure of the sheathing to moisture that could cause damage to structural material and potentially attract unwanted insects. Other advantages include the reduction or elimination of structural maintenance, a bracket assembly design that is relatively simple, robust and versatile, and a bracket assembly that is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to install. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       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: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a mounting bracket assembly embodying the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of a water diversion fitting of the bracket assembly; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the water diversion fitting; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a base member of the bracket assembly; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of the base member taken from circle  5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the bracket assembly with a trim member removed to show internal detail; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the bracket assembly with the trim member removed; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the bracket assembly; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross section of the bracket assembly taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a modified water diversion fitting; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the modified water diversion fitting orientated to a modified version of the base member; and 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged perspective view of the modified base member taken from circle  12  of  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , a mounting bracket assembly  20  embodying the present invention generally projects or is exposed through exterior siding (not shown) of a substantially vertical wall of any variety of buildings or residential structures exposed to inclement weather such as rain and generally water runoff. The assembly  20  provides an aesthetically pleasing surface for which any variety of exterior components can be easily mounted or project therefrom. Such components include but are not limited to hose spigots, electrical receptacles, clothes dryer vents, and light fixtures. 
     The assembly  20  is fastened to a substructure of the exterior wall preferably prior to placement of the siding. The substructure is generally an underlayment or sheathing that is preferably covered with the siding material. The mounting bracket assembly  20  is generally self-flashing for the prevention of water seepage beneath the siding. The assembly  20  preferably has water diversion fitting  22  and a mounting bracket  24  both preferably and independently secured to the sheathing. The mounting bracket  24  has a base member  26  secured to the sheathing and a trim member  28  that preferably snap fits to the base member  26  along an axis  30  preferably disposed substantially perpendicular to the sheathing. 
     The base member  26  has mounting flange  32  and a preferably continuous wall arrangement  34  (see  FIGS. 4-6 ). The flange  32  projects radially outward from the wall arrangement  34  and is typically nailed to the sheathing. The wall arrangement  34  projects axially or laterally outward from the flange  32  and preferably to a radially inward central panel  36  spaced from and orientated substantially parallel to the underlayment. Generally, the central panel  36  is that portion of the base member  26  that is exposed through the siding with the wall arrangement  34  defining or carrying a perimeter  38  of the central panel  36  at it&#39;s distal edge. A cutout  40  preferably communicates through the panel  36  and has a shape generally dictated by the component or appendage projecting through it (not shown). 
     Referring to FIGS.  1  and  8 - 9 , the trim member  28  preferably has a continuous partition arrangement  42  that projects laterally and/or axially inward toward the base member  26 , and an aesthetically pleasing exterior flange  44  that projects radially outward from the partition arrangement  42 . The partition arrangement  42  is generally shaped to conform with the wall arrangement  34 . Multi-positional snap fit features (not shown) are preferably carried between a radially outward surface  46  of the wall arrangement  34  and a radially inward surface  48  of the partition arrangement  42 . When the bracket  24  is assembled, the close proximity of the partition arrangement  42  to the wall arrangement  34  causes the feature to lock the partition and wall arrangements together at an axial orientation generally dictated by the thickness of the siding. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  6 - 7 , preferably the wall arrangement  34  of the base member  26  forms a rectangular or square shape having a left side wall  50 , a right side wall  52 , a top wall  54  and a bottom wall  56 . The side wall  50 ,  52  are substantially vertical and the top and bottom wall  54 ,  56  are substantially horizontal. The top wall  54  extends longitudinally between top ends of respective left and right side walls  50 ,  52  thus having a longitudinal length that is generally equal to a spatial distance  58  measured between the side walls  50 ,  52  (see  FIG. 6 ). The flange  32  of the base member  26  has a left portion  60  associated with the left side wall  50 , a right portion  62  associated with the right side wall  52 , a top portion  64  associated with the top wall  54 , and preferably a removable bottom portion  66  associated with the bottom wall  56 . One skilled in the art, however, would now realize that the continuous wall arrangement  34  may take the form of any shape including but not limited to that of a circle, oval, octagon and hexagon. Moreover, one skilled in the art would also now realize that the bottom wall  56  could be omitted because it does not necessarily contribute toward water drain-off, however, rigidity of the central panel  36  could potentially be degraded. 
     Referring to FIGS.  1  and  8 - 9 , preferably the partition arrangement  42  of the trim member  28  conforms generally in shape to the wall arrangement  34 , thus preferably having a left side partition  68 , a right side partition  70 , a top partition  72  and a bottom partition  74 . The side partitions  68 ,  70  are substantially vertical and the top and bottom partitions  72 ,  74  are substantially horizontal. The aesthetically pleasing exterior flange  44  of the trim member  28  has a left portion  76  associated with the left side partition  68 , a right portion  78  associated with the right side partition  70 , a top portion  80  associated with the top partition  72 , and preferably a bottom portion  82  associated with the bottom partition  74 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , water channeling characteristics or oppositely sloped ribs  86 ,  88  of the mounting bracket  24  are preferably formed into all portions  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66  of the mounting flange  32  of the base member  26  so that the member  26  can be selectively mounted to the sheathing in one of two positions. The two positions are rotationally displaced by about ninety degrees from each other with respect to the axis  30 . That is, the left portion  60  could be the bottom portion (not illustrated) if selected. For simplicity of explanation, the ribs  86 ,  88  shall be described relative to the left and right portions  60 ,  62  only, since the ribs  86 ,  88  formed to the top and bottom portion  64 ,  66  generally serve no functional purpose once the position of the mounting position of the base member  26  is selected by the installer. 
     The first set of ribs  86  each have a negative slope at preferably about forty-five degrees, and are generally stacked and spaced vertically from one-another. Each rib  86  extends longitudinally between an outer end  90  proximate to the radially outward periphery of the left portion  60  of the flange  32  and an opposite inner end  92  located below and radially inward from the outer end  90  with respect to axis  30 . The inner end  92  is spaced radially outward from the left side wall  50  of the wall arrangement  34  to prevent water damming or collection beneath the siding and generally between the rib  86  and the left side wall  50 . The second set of ribs  88  each have a positive slope at preferably about forty-five degrees, and are generally stacked and spaced vertically from one-another. Each rib  88  extends longitudinally between an outer end  94  proximate to the radially outward periphery of the right portion  62  of the flange  32  and an opposite inner end  96  located below and radially inward from the outer end  94  with respect to axis  30 . The inner end  96  is spaced radially outward from the right side wall  52  of the wall arrangement  34  to prevent water damming or collection beneath the siding and generally between the rib  88  and the right side wall  52 . 
     In operation and during inclement weather, water intrusion, or rain, water cascading down the siding from above the mounting bracket  24  will flow beneath the exterior flange  44 . A portion of this water may flow between the cut ends of the siding and the respective left and right side walls  50 ,  52  of the base member  26 . The propagation of this water in a radially outward direction with respect to axis  30  and beneath the siding is restricted via the ribs  86 ,  88  which channel the water radially inward and against the respective side walls  50 ,  52 . The ribs  86 ,  88  also function to space the siding slightly outward from the mounting flange  32  thus preventing water damming directly between the back side of the siding and the flange  32  that could cause moisture propagation in an unwanted radially outward direction instead of the desirable downward direction. The cascading water flowing downward from the ribs  86 ,  88  generally falls or is captured by the water diversion fitting  22  disposed below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3  and  6 - 7 , the water diversion fitting  22  is orientated partially beneath and below the base member  26 , and as such is generally “flashed” to the base member for receiving gravity fed water run-off generally from the left and right portions  60 ,  62  of the flange  32  of the base member. Preferably, the fitting  22  has a backing panel  98  having an upper flashing segment  100  that is generally tucked beneath the lower ends of the left and right portions  60 ,  62  of the flange  32  and preferably beneath the bottom wall  56  of the wall arrangement  34 . Projecting laterally outward from the panel  98  and extending longitudinally along and spaced beneath the bottom wall  56  is a water run-off shelf  102  that carries a distal drip edge  104  orientated outward from the siding and spaced slightly inward from the bottom portion  82  of the external flange  44 . 
     Contiguous to each end of the shelf  102  and the panel  98  are left and right end dams  106 ,  108 , and preferably contiguous to the panel  98  and the left and right end dams  106 ,  108  are respective left and right wings  110 ,  112 . The end dams  106 ,  108  are spaced apart from one-another by a distance  113  that is preferably slightly greater than the distance  58  between the wall portions  50 ,  52  (see  FIGS. 2 and 6 ). Preferably, the wings  110 ,  112  extend radially outward and upward to distal ends  114 ,  116  located generally directly beneath the outer ends  90 ,  94  of the respective ribs  86 ,  88  or located proximate to the radial outer periphery of the left and right portions  60 ,  62 . Water shedding from the left and right ribs  86 ,  88  flows into the channels  118 , 120 , is directed over the respective end dams  106 ,  108 , and flows upon the shelf  102 . Preferably, the lateral projection of the shelf  102  is angled downward so that water cascaded upon the shelf quickly and efficiently flows over the drip edge  104  and preferably clear of the siding below. 
     Preferably, the left and right wings  110 ,  112  have longitudinal edges  115 ,  117  that substantially lie in an imaginary plane with the drip edge  104 . The wings  110 ,  112  are orientated at about a right angle with respect to the panel  98 . 
     During assembly of the mounting bracket assembly  20 , a lower segment  122  of the panel  98  located beneath the shelf  102  and wings  110 ,  112  is fastened to the sheathing preferably with conventional fasteners such as nails or screws inserted through holes  124  in the lower segment. Preferably, the bottom portion  66  of the base member  26  is removed preferably with the use of a cutter or snips along dotted line identified as  125  in  FIG. 4 . Removal of the bottom portion  66  enables positioning of the water diversion fitting  22  beneath the exterior flange  44  for aesthetic purposes. The trimmed base member  26  is then placed over the fitting  22  and the remaining mounting flange  32  is fastened to the sheathing at a location preferably spaced substantially above the fitting  22 . Preferably the upper ends of the left and right portions  60 ,  62  or the upper corners of the mounting flange  32  carry holes  124  for receipt of nails or screws for this attachment. 
     With the base member  26  and fitting  22  secured to the sheathing, the siding is appropriately trimmed during installation so that the shelf  102 , the left and right wings  110 ,  112  of the fitting  22  and the wall arrangement  34  of the base member  26  are disposed radially inward from the siding and project axially outward therefrom. The siding material is installed over sheathing and over the flange  32 . The siding, however, must be trimmed or cut to create a gap between the cut ends and the side walls  50 ,  52  of the continuous wall arrangement  34  of the base member  26 . This gap allows room for entry of the side partitions  68 ,  70  of the continuous partition arrangement  42  of the trim member  28 , yet is close enough to the wall so that the cut ends are aesthetically concealed by the exterior flange  44  of the trim member  28  which is substantially flush to the siding. 
     After installation of the siding, the trim member  28  is preferably snap fitted to the base member  26  thereby covering the cut ends of the siding and the fitting  22  for a pleasing appearance. Fitting of the base member  26  to the trim member  28  can be done in any variety of ways including 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 base member  26 , the fitting  22  and the trim member  28  are preferably separate components and individually formed of injection molded plastic. 
     One skilled in the art would now know that a base member  26  can be manufactured with the ribs  86 ,  88  and without the bottom portion  66  of the flange  32  thus alleviating the installation step of cutting off the bottom portion. This however would dedicate the assembly  20  to one installation position only. Moreover, one skilled in the art would now know that the fitting  22  and the base member  26  can be formed as one unitary piece, however, this would also dedicate the assembly  20  to a singular installation position. The water diversion fitting  22  is versatile because it can be used in conjunction with mounting brackets known to be on the market albeit without ribs  86 ,  88 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a modification of a water diversion fitting  22 ′ is illustrated wherein like elements of the first embodiment have the same identifying numerals except with the addition of a single prime symbol. The water diversion fitting  22 ′ has left and right wings  110 ′,  112 ′ which are orientated with an upper segment  100 ′ of a panel  98 ′ to generally form an acute angle. The acute angles generally form respective troughs or channels  118 ,  120  to enhance the redirection of water flow upon a shelf  102 ′. The enhanced channeling of water provided by the troughs  118 ,  120  is such that longitudinal edges  115 ′,  117 ′ can be located closer to the panel  98 ′ than a drip edge  104 ′ carried by a shelf  102 ′. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11-12 , a second modification of a base member  26 ″ is illustrated wherein like elements of the first embodiment have the same identifying numerals except with the addition of a double prime symbol. The base member  26 ″ generally has much wider ribs  86 ″,  88 ″ than base member  26  thus producing the appearance of a peripheral channel  132  that circles and is defined in part by a wall arrangement  34 ″ and a series of communicating slots  134  that are preferably tapered or become deeper as the slots  134  extend radially inward toward the channel  132  for biasing water flow in a radially inward direction. A plurality of bosses or cornices  130  project axially outward from the mounting flange  32 ″ and are preferably proximate to each corner of the wall arrangement  34 ″ and spaced radially outward from the arrangement generally by the continuous channel  132 . The cornices  130  restrict axial insertion of the trim member (not shown) upon the base member  26 ″ thus preventing the partition arrangement of the trim member from obstructing water flow in the channel  132 . 
     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.