Patent Publication Number: US-7712277-B2

Title: Building siding with horizontal panels installed

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to a building protective and aesthetic siding that is used to cover the exterior of a building and, specifically, to a building siding that includes horizontal planks that are interlocked together on top and bottom and that are installed from the top of a building wall in a downward direction. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Many buildings, residential dwellings and office buildings, use building siding on the exterior of the building for protecting the building from the elements and for aesthetic purposes. Typical building siding is constructed of a plurality of elongated, horizontal panels, planks, or strips that are typically overlapped from the wall bottom upwardly, with each next piece added that overlaps the piece below it. Such overlapping panels are used to protect the building from rain, solar and wind damage. The siding used on many residential and commercial buildings for the exterior is typically made of wooden planks that are overlapped, typically from the wall bottom upwardly. Plastic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and aluminum sheets have also been used. Many of these materials are also sloped to aesthetically look like wood planks that are overlapped, one on top of the other giving each plank a slight incline instead of a substantially flat surface. 
   One of the problems with conventional siding that is constructed with panels or planks from the wall bottom up, i.e. each horizontal plank being covered by one on top of it, is that high winds can lift a plank reducing the siding durability. 
   The siding described herein adds durability and protection from wind and rain because the siding planks are placed on the building from the top down. Each of the individual horizontal planks are more securely held in place because of the top and bottom interlock connections. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Exterior building siding which may be constructed of several types of materials including aluminum, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), wood, steel, concrete, hard foam or other synthetic materials having essentially two components which include: (1) a top starting strip that is affixed to the building at a selected upper beginning point of a building wall or structure and (2) a plurality of planks of the same or variable lengths that are affixed to the starting strip and to the building itself, usually to vertical studs forming the building exterior wall. 
   The starting strip is the uppermost horizontal strip and has an inverted “J-shaped” cross section. The strip body inverted “J-shaped” cross sectional configuration provides for a substantially upside down deep recess or groove that is disposed vertically and is tapered to receive the upper “L-shaped” lip portion of the first horizontal mounting plank. The starting strip may have a plurality of small circular recessed dimples that provide visual alignment for fasteners such as screws, nails or staples to be driven through the strip in such a manner that the head of the screw or nail is flush or countersunk below the level of the exterior surface. The strip can also be attached by glue. After the top starting strip has been fastened to the selected upper position on the building exterior wall, the horizontal siding planks are attached sequentially downwardly from the starting strip. The planks may be rectangular in shape of the same or different lengths that can be cut to make each horizontal row equal to the building wall width. Each plank has a cross section that includes a top tapered “L-shaped” area that is upright and a bottom “J-shaped” area that is inverted forming a groove. In one embodiment, the upper length of the “L-shaped” area leg of each plank is longer that the bottom portion of the “J-shaped” leg as described below. 
   The planks used in the siding are joined and interlocked vertically on top and bottom in horizontal rows, and are arranged in end to end abutments. The planks can be manufactured in various dimensions in terms of width or height and thickness and can be of different lengths depending on the nature of the building to be covered with siding. Each plank can be cut in length and width to fit any wall size. 
   The starting strip inverted “J-shaped” cross section area has a continuous groove from end to end that may be tapered and is sized to snuggly fit with the upper “L-shaped” projection of the top edge of the siding plank. Thus, when the first plank is inserted snuggly into the starting strip, there is a tight fit between both the starting strip groove and the first plank projection. 
   At the bottom of the every plank, there is an inverted “J-shaped” area with a groove similar to the groove inverted “J-shaped” groove in the starting strip. This plank lower groove is interlocked with the top edge of the next horizontal plank added downwardly. 
   The starting strip and each plank are attached to the building exterior wall surface or studs by nails, screws, staples or glue. The heads of the nail and screw fasteners may be countersunk in pre-formed recessed areas. Assembly of an exterior wall of siding begins with the attachment of the starting strip at a location that denotes the horizontal upper starting line of the siding. The starting strip is nailed, screwed, stapled or glued to the building horizontally. 
   A first series of planks are horizontally pushed into firm engagement in the starting strip groove and each plank is nailed, screwed, stapled or glued into place along the bottom area of each plank forming the first row of planks. 
   Each additional row of planks is engaged to the fastened planks downwardly, one row at a time. The fasteners securing the previous planks are covered by the next row of planks. 
   The planks forming the very bottom row may have to be cut longitudinally for a perfect fit to reduce their height to conform to the remaining space to be covered. These planks may be glued to the building exterior wall or studs. 
   In one embodiment, the inside (back) surfaces of the starting strip and all planks are flat and form a flat plane flush with the building wall or studs. 
   In an alternate embodiment, the back wall surface of each plank and the starting strip can include one or more vertical recessed channels (curved or rectangular in shape) that form vertical moisture or fluid conduits that allow drainage of moisture that accumulates on the outside exterior surface of the building but on the inside of the planks to dissipate moisture in the vertical channels by gravity. 
   Also in an alternate embodiment, the plank end faces that are placed side by side for each plank, instead of being flush, could include a groove flange overlap such that the outer surface edge of one plank overlaps the inner side edge of the adjacent planks. Between each overlap structure a small vertical space can be made as a moisture channel. 
   In a further alternate embodiment, the starting strip and planks can be installed onto the roof of a building as well as the soffits of a building. In this alternate embodiment, the starting strip and planks are installed in the same top-down manner as described when used for siding. 
   Using the present invention as described, it is noted how secure each of the individual planks are, both at the top and at the bottom, which greatly increases its durability against harsh weather elements such as wind and rain for greater strength and longer preservation. 
   It is an object of this invention to provide a building exterior siding that is affixed from the top down with an interlock cross sectional pattern between adjacent vertical panels to give the siding more strength and durability in use. 
   It is another object of this invention to provide an improved exterior panel that can be easily assembled and mounted on the exterior of a building in a top down progression for increased strength and durability of the siding. 
   In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. The figures resented in the drawings are to scale. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a side elevational view of the top starter strip. 
       FIG. 2  shows a side elevational view of a typical horizontal plank. 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view partially cut away of the exterior siding including the starting strip and two planks installed on the exterior of a building. 
       FIG. 4  shows a side elevational view partially in cross section of the building siding attached to a portion of a building wall. 
       FIG. 5  shows an alternate embodiment of the invention in a perspective view with two planks joined side by side. 
       FIG. 6  shows the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 5  from a top plan view. 
       FIG. 7A  shows a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the bottom starter strip. 
       FIG. 7B  shows a side elevational view of the alternate embodiment of the horizontal plank. 
       FIG. 8  shows a cross sectional view of two alternate embodiments of the building siding installed. 
   

   PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings and, particularly,  FIG. 1 , the starting strip  12  is shown in a side elevational view to illustrate the “J-shaped” groove that is inverted  12   b  formed between the back wall of the starting strip  12   a  and the front wall  12   c . The starting strip  12  also includes a plurality of dimples  12   d  that are circular recessed portions sized approximately in diameter to equal to the head of a nail or a screw. However, the dimples are not required. This provides a visual indication to a construction worker as to where to insert fasteners such as nails or screws that will be countersunk when the starter strip is mounted to a vertical wall stub  18  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
   It is further contemplated that each starting strip  12  may additionally have a plurality of shallow vertical grooves located on the flat back wall. These grooves will extend from the top of the flat back wall to the bottom of the flat back wall. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the basic siding plank  14  is shown that is used to complete the building siding. Each plank  14  is mounted horizontally starting from the starter strip  12  as shown in  FIG. 3  downwardly in horizontal rows. The plank  14  has a flat back wall  14   d  and an upper “L-shaped” wall  14   a  which is slightly tapered and fits substantially identical within the inverted “J-shaped” groove  12   b  of the starting strip shown in  FIG. 1 . It is contemplated that the structure  12  may have a “J-shape” with an interior non-parallel, tapered trapezoidal groove  12   b  to provide a tapered exterior surface. The top “L-shaped” portion  14   a  also is sized to fit substantially identical into the adjacent horizontal plank inverted “J-shaped” trapezoidal groove  14   b  as each horizontal plank is attached to the plank above it in a downward pattern. The front surface of each plank is flat but tapered to give the effect of overlapping boards and to allow water run off. 
   It is further contemplated that each siding plank  14  may additionally have a plurality of shallow vertical grooves located on the side of the plank  14  which will share a planar relationship with the flat back wall of the starting strip  12 . These grooves will extend from the top edge to the bottom edge of the plank  14 . 
   Looking at  FIG. 3 , the starting strip is shown attached to a vertical stud  18  which is the exterior wall stud for the building. Also shown in  FIG. 3  are two planks  14  connected to each other vertically. The planks may have dimples  20  and  22  that are also visual representations of where to place the appropriate fasteners such as nails, screws, staples or glue when attaching each plank  14  to a vertical stud  18 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the siding is shown with the starter strip  12  mounted at the top of a representative building exterior wall (unnumbered) and wall stud  18  and is interlocked with the first horizontal row plank  14  with a fastener  16  that has been attached to the starter strip  12  at the top. Subsequently, the upper trapezoidal-shaped male protrusion of the first horizontal plank  14  is pushed up into and engaged into the inverted groove in starter strip  12  at the top, with a fastener  16  at its bottom securely fastening the horizontal plank  14  to the stud  16  or building exterior wall (unnumbered) sub-sheathing which is shown applied over the stud  16 . Thus, the sequence repeats itself from the top down of inserting and engaging the upper male protrusion of the next row of horizontal planks and attaching them to the stud or wall with fasteners such as nails, screws, staples or glue. The fasteners at the base of each plank are covered by the next plank being pushed up and engaged from below by the trapezoidal-shaped male protrusion  14   a  shown in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 4  shows starter strip  12  interlocked with plank  14 , the back wall of starter strip  12  having a height less than one-half the height of lank  14 . 
   Looking at  FIGS. 3 and 4 , one can easily see how strong and tight the siding is mounted on the building exterior wall. It would be difficult for the wind or rain to penetrate the siding in the interlocking configuration as shown. 
   Looking at  FIG. 4 , the top starting strip  12  can also include a decorative edge chime  12   e  if desired. Also, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the horizontal planks  14  have a front façade that is visible after installation that includes a beveled or inclined shape to achieve the lap style look. However, any other façade can be utilized on the front exterior surface. 
   The back surfaces  12   a  and  14   d  are flat. The siding planks  14  and starting strip  12  can be made in various widths and thicknesses and lengths and from many different materials including mixed fibers, wood, concrete, steel, aluminum, plastics, polymers, foam or other blended or natural or man-made composite materials. The siding can function not only as a protective outer layer on a building protecting the building against wind, moisture, rain and solar energy, but also acts as an insulation for heat or cold. Overall, the siding provides greater uplift protection from stronger than average wind and moisture intrusion that results in a reduction of costly repairs and replacements to the building. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in an alternate embodiment  100 , two horizontal planks  140  are shown joined together along one edge, side by side. Each plank  140  has one or more vertical shallow channels formed in its back surface. The back surface channels can be of any cross sectional shape and are shown as rectangular. The channels are used to collect moisture that may accumulate on the exterior surface of the wall of the building being covered by the siding. As each horizontal plank row is attached to a vertical plank row above, the vertical channels  140   a  can be aligned vertically so that the plank moisture channels from the top of the wall to the bottom of the wall are aligned. The starting strip channels can also be vertically aligned. Condensate and moisture will be drained downwardly by gravity. 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , the plank back surface channels  140   a  are shallow and rectangular grooves but could be any design or shape. Also note that in an alternate embodiment, the planks  140  can be overlapped from side to side such that one plank has an extended lip  140   c  along one edge which is sized to engage a comparable recess  140   b  in the adjacent panel along each side. Thus, the panels can be overlapped laterally for moisture prevention. Note that a small channel can be disposed along the edge that shows the overlap  140   c  and  140   b  that itself could be a moisture barrier along the inside back surface between the planks  140 . 
   Alternate Embodiment 
   As an alternative embodiment, referring now to  FIG. 7A , the starting strip  200  is shown in a side elevational view to illustrate the “J-shaped” groove  200   b  formed between the back wall of the starting strip  200   a  and the front wall  200   c . In this embodiment the starting strip  200  is installed at the bottom area of the wall to be covered. Subsequent panels  210  are then attached in an upward direction. The top plank can be attached and cut longitudinally to fit the top most row. Flashing or a sealant may be used to seal the top plank. The starting strip  200  also includes a plurality of dimples  200   d  that are circular recessed portions sized approximately in diameter to equal to the head of a nail or a screw. However, the dimples are not required. This provides a visual indication to a construction worker as to where to insert fasteners such as nails or screws that will be countersunk when the starter strip  200  is mounted to a vertical wall stub. 
   Each starting strip  200  may additionally have a plurality of shallow vertical grooves located on the flat back wall. These grooves will extend from the bottom of the flat back wall to the top of the flat back wall. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7B , the basic siding plank  210  is shown that is used to complete the building siding from the bottom of the wall upwardly. Each plank  210  is mounted horizontally starting from the starting strip  200  as shown in  FIG. 7A  upwardly in horizontal rows. The plank  210  has a flat back wall  210   d  and an lower inverted “J-shaped” wall  210   a  and groove  210   e  which fit snuggly within the “J-shaped” groove  200   b  of the starting strip shown in  FIG. 7A . The back wall  200   a  of the starter strip  200  fits into the inverted “J-shaped” groove  210   a  of the plank  210 . The front wall  200   c  of the starter strip  200  fits into the second groove  210   e  of the plank  210 . The top “L-shaped” portion  210   b  of the plank  210  is sized to fit snuggly in an adjacent horizontal plank into the inverted “J-shaped” groove  210   a , and second groove  210   e  as each horizontal plank is attached to the plank above it in an upwardly pattern. The front surface  210   c  of each plank is flat but tapered to give the effect of overlapping boards and to allow water run off. 
   Each siding plank  210  may additionally have a plurality of shallow vertical grooves located on the side of the plank  210  which will share a planar relationship with the flat back wall of the starting strip  200 . These grooves will extend from the top edge to the bottom edge of the plank  210 . 
   Alternate Embodiment 
   As an alternative embodiment, referring now to  FIG. 8 , the starting strip and horizontal planks  220  can also be used as soffits  230  or as roofing material  240 . In both usages, the starting strip  220   a  as well as the horizontal planks  220   b  will be mounted in similar fashion to the procedure for the building siding  220 . A starting strip will be mounted first. For the roofing material  240 , the starting strip will be mounted near the top of the roof and the horizontal planks will be subsequently mounted below and downwardly. For the soffits  230 , the starting strip  230   a  may be mounted on either side with the horizontal planks  230   b  subsequently mounted thereafter. 
   The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.