Patent Abstract:
A siding hook and a gauge for positioning a length of siding at a predetermined degree of overlap over an installed length of siding is disclosed. The gauge comprises an elongate slide bar and a stop block slidably mounted on the slide bar. The stop block is clamped to the slide bar by screws which thread into holes formed in the stop block. The heads of the screws are entrapped within the stepped slot of the slide bar. Both the slide bar and the stop block have flat surfaces devoid of projections which could mar siding, and rounded or beveled edges and corners. The siding hook is S-shaped, formed from thin sheet metal or plastic, and configured to overhang the installed siding while supporting a length of siding being installed over installed siding. A measuring device and level are incorporated into the design of the gauge.

Full Description:
This application is a Continuation-In-Part of my previous application, Ser. No. 09/985,519, filed on Nov. 5, 2001, abandoned. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to siding installation tools. More particularly, the invention comprises a gauge for positioning overlapping sections of building materials such as siding, clapboard, and roofing shingles during installation. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   When overlapping flat sections of building material such as clapboard, roofing shingles, and cedar, concrete or laminate siding are installed on vertical building surfaces, it is desirable to maintain adjacent courses even. Cedar is referred to hereinafter as a preferred wood siding, although other woods are often planed to a similar shape and for purposed of discussion will be considered as cedar. Utilizing standard commercial products, which are usually fairly straight and regularly shaped, this requires placing each succeeding member over a previously installed member such that a constant degree of overlap is established along the lengths of the two members. This can be performed by “snapping a line” or other traditional marking methods. However, it would be more efficient to utilize a method that eliminates marking and which also requires only one mechanic. 
   An adjustable gauge for installing siding is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,007, issued to Daniel Gordon on Mar. 10, 1992. The gauge has an elongate member and a shorter member clamped thereto. The shorter member slides along the elongate member and is adjusted by releasing the clamp. A bolt and wingnut clamp the shorter member to the elongate member. The threaded shaft of the bolt and the wingnut project from the elongate member. By contrast, no fastener projects beyond a corresponding elongate member in the present invention. The elongate and shorter members of the present invention are far easier to fabricate than is the device of Gordon. 
   A jack for supporting clapboards is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 425,173, issued to Edwin W. Brown on Mar. 25, 1890. This jack has a carrier block bearing projecting spikes for engaging clapboards. No such spikes exist in the present invention. Such spikes would potentially damage siding, which is a principal application of the present invention. Also, a guide element present at the rear face of the jack of Brown, where the rear face is that face located away from contact with an installed clapboard, is stepped in that it has a guide and metallic plate which occupy separate planes. By contrast, the corresponding rear surface of the present invention occupies a plane. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 351,722, issued to William E. Trueblood on Oct. 26, 1886; U.S. Pat. No. 631,315, issued to Thomas B. Meskill on Aug. 22, 1899; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,133,357, issued to Leo A. Gayan on May 19, 1964, illustrate gauges or the like for positioning siding. These devices are considerably more complicated than is the present invention, and have configurations considerably more irregular than the joined parallelepipeds of the present invention which are present when the novel gauge is assembled. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,100, issued to Wallace T. Wheeler on Sep. 25, 1984; U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,767, issued to Christopher Colavito on Apr. 29, 1997; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,311, issued to Bernard J. Paquin on Dec. 2, 1997, illustrate siding tools that incorporate hand grips. These tools are considerably more complicated than is the present invention, and have configurations considerably more irregular than the joined parallelepipeds of the present invention which are present when the novel gauge is assembled. 
   The present invention further incorporates a measuring device and a level, tools frequently used while installing siding, which are absent in the above referenced prior art. 
   None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention sets forth an uncomplicated gauge which is suitable for cedar, concrete and laminate siding, and is readily utilized by a single person when installing siding. As has been stated previously, cedar is being used to refer to any wood siding of similar profile. The novel gauge is preferably utilized with an S-shaped siding hanger used to support a section of siding in its new position prior to permanent fastening. The gauge comprises a slide bar having a longitudinally oriented slot formed therein, and a stop block adjustably clamped to the slide bar. Outer surfaces of the slide bar occupy opposed planes. The stop block displays similar characteristics, but is smaller. Two cap screws releasably secure the stop block to the slide bar by engaging threaded holes formed in the stop block. The heads of the cap screws occupy the slot, thereby interlocking the stop block to the slide bar unless both screws are fully removed. 
   The gauge has no projections such as fasteners and barbs as seen in prior art devices which could mar delicate surfaces such as those of siding. Corners and edges of both the slide bar and the stop block are rounded so as to provide further protection of the siding. Both slide bar and stop block are generally parallelepipeds. The stop block is no wider than the slide bar. The gauge is thus readily carried in pockets of apparel without risk of tearing the fabric. 
   The gauge is utilized by adjusting the stop block to a desired position wherein exposed length of the slide bar corresponds to a dimension a length of siding which is intended to be exposed to view when the length of siding is covered by an overlapping length of siding. With the stop block held firmly against the bottom edge of the last length of siding installed on a building wall, the top of the slide bar is aligned with a predetermined point on the installed length of siding. A new length of siding is positioned such that its bottom edge rests on the top of the slide bar, and is tacked or hung in place, preferably utilizing a siding hanger, or even permanently fastened in place. The same operation is repeated at the opposite end of the partially installed length of siding. The second end of the newly placed length of siding is then fastened in place. Once set to a desired position, the gauge is not adjusted until all siding is fastened in place. 
   The gauge further features a measuring device and level in the face of at least one of the lengths. 
   Accordingly, it is one object of the invention to provide a gauge for positioning a length siding at a desired degree of overlap over an installed length of siding. 
   It is another object of the invention to prevent the gauge from scratching or otherwise marring the siding. 
   It is a further object of the invention that the novel gauge have only flat and rounded external edges and corners. 
   Still another object of the invention is that the stop block be no wider than the slide bar. 
   An additional object of the invention is to enable a single person to install lengths of siding and the like in their permanent positions on buildings. 
   Yet another object of the invention is to provide a measuring device as an integral part of the siding gauge. 
   Still another object of the invention is to prove a level as an integral part of the siding gauge. 
   It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
   These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded, perspective view of one embodiment of a siding gauge of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an end elevational view of the siding gauge of  FIG. 1 , shown partially in cross section. 
       FIG. 3  is an exaggerated environmental diagrammatic view of how the siding gauge is used. 
       FIG. 4  is an environmental perspective view of how the invention is used. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of siding hanger used with the siding gauge of FIG.  1 . 
       FIGS. 5   a - 5   c  are side elevational views of the various siding hangers of FIG.  5 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Turning now to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, novel siding gauge  1  is seen to comprise an elongate slide bar  10  and a stop block  40 , and cap screws  60 ,  70 . 
   Slide bar  10  is substantially a parallelepiped having a lower end  12 , and upper end  14 , a first side  16 , a second side  18 , a first face  20 , and a second face  22 . A stepped slot  24  is formed along the longitudinal axis of first face  20  and second face  22  of slide bar  10 , although slot  24  need not be centered within slide bar  10 . Slot  24  is stepped, having a shoulder  26 . Second face  22  is milled so as to have a rough surface (not shown), the purpose of which will be further detailed herein below. 
   Stop block  40  is also substantially a parallelepiped having a lower end  42 , an upper end  44 , a first face  46 , a second face  48 , and two sides. The width of stop block  40  is substantially equal to that of slide bar  10 , while the length of stop block  40  is substantially less than that of slide bar  10 . A raised tenon  50  runs the length of first face  46  of stop block  40 , raised tenon  50  being designed to snugly, but slidably, engage slot  24  of slide bar  10 . Threaded holes  52 ,  54  are formed in stop block  40 , threaded holes  52 ,  54  being spaced apart and centered on the width of raised tenon  50 . It would be evident to one skilled in the art that rather than threaded holed  52 ,  54  being threaded directly in stop block  40 , threaded nuts could be imbedded into stop block  40 . First face  46  is milled so as to have a rough surface (not shown), the rough surfaces (not shown) of second face  22  and first face  46  providing additional friction to reduce slippage between slide bar  10  and stop block  40  when cap screws  60 ,  70  are tightened, as will be detailed herein below. 
   Although cap screws  60 ,  70  could be any type of fastener which engages both slide bar  10  and stop block  40 , it is preferred that the fasteners have threaded shanks  62 ,  72  and that heads  64 ,  74  of the fasteners be cylindrical, and nearly as wide as shoulder  26  of slot  24 . This relationship, along with that of raised tenon  48  and slot  24 , assists in assuring that stop block  40  be longitudinally aligned with slide bar  10  when cap screws  60 ,  70  are tightened into threaded holes  52 ,  54 . Washers  66 ,  76  further grip shoulder  26  of slot  24 . 
     FIG. 2  shows gauge  1  assembled. In referring to  FIG. 2 , references to cap screw  60  and its subordinate parts apply equally to cap screw  70 , hidden from view in FIG.  2 . It will be seen that shoulder  26  is nearly the same depth as the height of heads  64 ,  74  of cap screws  60 ,  70 . Heads  64 ,  74  do not extend outside surface  20  of slide bar  10  when cap screws  60 ,  70  pass through slot  24 , and are fully tightened. Heads  64 ,  74  are entrapped within shoulder  26 . In a manner similar to that of heads  64 ,  74 , threaded shanks  62 ,  72  of cap screws  60 ,  70  do not extend outside surface  48  of stop block  40  when cap screws  60 ,  70  are fully tightened. Heads  64 ,  74  of both cap screws  60 ,  70  are fully contained within shoulder  26  when fully threaded into stop block  40 . Gauge  1  is thus both compact when assembled, and also presents no edges, corners, and other projections which could potentially mar siding. 
   Another feature of gauge  1  is that the edges and corners of both slide bar  10  and stop block  40  are rounded or radiused to the point that the edges and corners do not feel sharp to the touch when gauge  1  is firmly grasped. This feature assists in assuring that gauge  1  and its major components not scratch, dent, or otherwise mar delicate surfaces of siding. 
   Screws  60 ,  70  can be tightened quite securely by utilizing hexagonal key  2  (see FIG.  1 ). Heads  64 ,  74  have hexagonal sockets  68 ,  78  for receiving key  2 . 
   A retainer  28  for key  2  may be formed into either one of side  16 ,  18  by forming a groove  30  in the surface of side  16  or  18  with a hole  32  of a diameter to snugly receive the shorter end of key  2  drilled at one end of groove  30 . Cut out  34  along the length of groove  30  provides easy access to the shank of key  2  for removal. It would be evident to one skilled in the art that a spring clip retainer (not shown) could be utilized to hold key  2  in lieu of the snug fit suggested for hole  32 . 
   Either one or both of sides  16 ,  18  of slide bar  10  may, optionally, be inscribed with a measuring device  36 , either in metric, U.S. customary units, or both, with measurements beginning at upper end  14  and running toward lower end  12 . Guide  1  may be adjusted by aligning upper end  44  of stop block  40  with the desired measurement on measuring device  36 . 
   Either one or both of sides  16 ,  18  of slide bar  10  may also, optionally, contain a bubble level  38 , thereby conveniently allowing an individual establish a level line for beginning a first course of siding or periodically check subsequent courses of siding for levelness. It would be evident to one skilled in the art that level  38  could be of an electronic variety with equal effectiveness. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4  show how gauge  1  is used. Turning first to  FIG. 3 , a section of a length of siding  4  to be overlapped by a subsequently installed length of siding  6  (shown in broken lines in  FIG. 3 ) is predetermined to have a height  8 . This determination will establish how much of siding  4  is exposed. Next, position of stop block  40  along slide bar  10  is established such that when upper surface  44  of stop block  40  abuts lower surface  7  of siding  4 , upper surface  14  of slide bar  10  is spaced apart from upper surface  9  of siding  4  by a distance equal to height  8 . Screws  60 ,  70  are tightened with stop block  40  in the position shown in FIG.  3 . 
   Referring particularly to  FIG. 4 , length of siding  6  is placed with its lower edge abutting surface  14  of slide bar  10 . One end of the length of siding  6  is positioned relative to siding  4  utilizing gauge  1  as described above. That end of siding  6  may be tacked, suspended on a siding hanger  80  (shown separately in FIG.  5 ), or otherwise fastened. With the fastened end of siding  6  held against the wall or other environmental surface receiving siding, the opposite end is positioned and fastened by the installer. Positioning is accomplished by performing the same steps utilized to position the first end of siding  6 , employing gauge  1  as described above. The second end to be positioned is then suitably permanently fastened. The first end is also permanently fastened. As long as lengths of siding being installed have constant dimensions, the amount of “weather” or section of exposed siding will remain the same throughout all courses of siding which are installed. 
     FIGS. 5   a - 5   c  show preferred configurations of hanger  80 . Hanger  80  is configured in the form of an S-shaped hook when viewed in side elevation, the difference in each embodiment being in the side elevation profile. The edges and corners are rounded or beveled to avoid scratching siding. Hanger  80  is preferably formed from a thin sheet of plastic or metal strong enough to support a section of siding when hanger  80  engages a second section of siding, as shown in FIG.  4 . Hanger  80  is thin enough to be maneuvered into the position shown in  FIG. 4 , yet strong enough to avoid deforming either section of siding or deforming itself. 
   While gauge  1  may be employed as a tool in installing siding, it should be noted that utilizing hanger  80  enables a single installer to install siding single handedly. Therefore, gauge  1  and hanger  80  may be incorporated into a kit for installing siding. The kit includes gauge  1  and at least one hanger  80  and optionally additional hangers  80 .  FIG. 5   a  depicts a hanger  80  adapted for siding materials such as, but not limited to, cedar (again, cedar is referring to any siding of similar profile);  FIG. 5   b  depicts a hanger  80  adapted for concrete fiber siding, and  FIG. 5   c  depicts a hanger  80  adapted for laminated lap siding. 
   The present invention is most advantageously used with cedar, concrete or laminated siding, but may also be utilized with clapboard, roofing shingle, and other materials which must be placed in overlapping fashion. 
   The invention is susceptible to variations and modifications which may be introduced thereto without departing from the inventive concept. For example, location of slot  24  and holes  52 ,  54  may be reversed, although this would likely necessitate additional threaded holes (not shown). Also, the type of fastener may differ from cap screws  60 ,  70 . 
   It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4