Patent Abstract:
A cementitious fiberboard sprayed with an acrylic sand composition and enamel spray paint which is then tooled to a brick-looking face. Variations in the brick-like color and texture are provided by varying the acrylic paint color and sand particle size and density.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to fabricated panels and, more specifically, to a cementitious fiberboard sprayed with an acrylic sand composition and enamel spray paint which is then tooled to a brick-looking face. Variations in the brick-like color and texture are provided by varying the acrylic paint color and sand particle size and density. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There are other fabricated panels&#39; designed as building materials. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 2,178,535 issued to Willson on Oct. 31, 1939. 
     Another patent was issued to Bilodeau on Apr. 6, 1965 as U.S. Pat. No. 3,177,279. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 3,882,218 was issued to Bixel, Jr. on May 6, 1975 and still yet another was issued on Aug. 14, 1979 to Wilhelm as U.S. Pat. No. 4,164,598. 
     Another patent was issued to Schiffer on Sep. 14, 1982 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,349,588. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,729 was issued to Syring on 4,510,729. Another was issued to McKinnon on Dec. 4, 1990 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,303 and still yet another was issued on Apr. 2, 1996 to Zember et al. as U.S. Pat. No. 5,502,941. 
     Another patent was issued to Sherry on Aug. 4, 1998 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,666. Yet another Japan Patent No. JP2000120248 was issued to Nakama on Apr. 25, 2000. Another was issued to Moore et al. on Jul. 21, 1971 as U.K. Patent No. GB 1240041. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,178,535 
     Inventor: Lester E. Willson 
     Issued: Oct. 31, 1939 
     A form for molding a concrete wall provided with strips of resilient material arranged in parallel relation on its inner face for removably holding individual tiles thereon, said strips being positioned and dimensioned to yield to admit the tiles between them so as to exert pressure from opposite directions against the tiles by engagement with the edge surfaces thereof which extend transversely of their exposed faces in the finished wall, whereby said resilient strips act frictionally to retain the tiles on the form, and removable spacer strips dimensioned to fit between adjacent strips of the parallel series for spacing the tiles from each other. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,177,279 
     Inventor: Robert J. Bilodeau 
     Issued: Apr. 6, 1965 
     A method of forming a decorative building panel that will have an exterior surface simulating in relief true reproductions of a plurality of shapes bonded by mortar joints consisting essentially of the following steps: 
     (a) providing a resilient mold which contains a portion having impressions of shapes, complementary ridges and undercuts 
     (b) applying to the surface of said mold a layer consisting of a polymerizable resin, a polymerization catalyst, a colorant and rock particles, which first layer when polymerized becomes solidified; 
     (c) spraying on the surface of said first layer a second layer consisting essentially of a polymerizable resin, a polymerization catalyst, and a plurality of randomly oriented fiber glass strands, which second layer when polymerized becomes bonded to the first layer;
 
(d) polymerizing said two layers to solidify them into an integral panel;
 
(e) stripping said mold from said panel;
 
(f) and, dusting the exterior surface of the panel with rock dust to give a dull finish thereto.
 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,882,218 
     Inventor: Charles G. Bixel, Jr. 
     Issued: May 6, 1975 
     Base Building panels, which have been cut from large blocks of expanded, high-density, foamed plastic, include an array of grooves which, together with the non-grooved areas of the panels simulate the desired brick-and-mortar appearance, the grooves having been formed by an appropriate array of heating elements. The panels may be utilized as skirting or underpinning for mobile homes so as to present a permanent foundation appearance for the home. To install the panels, small blocks of expanded, high-density, foamed plastic are bonded to the back surfaces of the panels so as to provide a panel interlock mechanism. A perimetrical trench is excavated beneath the exterior wall surfaces of the mobile home, whereupon the bottom edge portions of the panels are inserted within the trench, while the upper edge portions are secured to the mobile home undersurface by means of additional small blocks of foamed plastic which have been coated with plastic adhesive. Access panels and ventilation means may be inserted within the skirt enclosure, and the enclosure may be painted a particular color or a multitude of colors according to a particular design. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,164,598 
     Inventor: William D. Wilhelm 
     Issued: Aug. 14, 1979 
     A veneer wall covering to simulate a brick wall through the provision of adhering a plurality of thin blocks formed from dry wall sheet stock to an interior wall in any known brick layup patterns, applying a coating over the blocks to produce a textured surface which duplicates the texture of bricks, followed by applying a desired color selected from the prevailing color or real brick, or variations thereof. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,349,599 
     Inventor: Henry Schiffer 
     Issued: Sep. 14, 1982 
     A method for making simulated brick or tile wall or floor using cement, water-based adhesive and water-insoluble powdered pigment. The mixture is applied and then partially set. Scoring indentations are made to remove cement. After being completely set, mortar is placed in the indentations as a grout and allowed to set. The final step is a clear water-resistant coating on the entire surface. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,729 
     Inventor: Ewald Syring 
     Issued: Apr. 16, 1985 
     It is the object of the invention to give also the non-professional the possibility to apply, by means of this method and a template, mineral plaster in the form of clinker plastering to a wall surface. To this end a template with a network corresponding to joints and made of impregnated cardboard is applied to a continuous carrier film by means of a non-hardening adhesive, and is folded in zig-zag form. The network is removed from the carrier film and stuck to the same extent to a wall surface. Afterwards the mineral plaster is applied to the wall surface. After removing the network a clinker or brick-work like structure is attained. In the spray rendering method embodiment the network is made of paper-thin, tension-resistant material. The network and carrier film are then rolled up in a roll. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,303 
     Inventor: Gordon McKinnon 
     Issued: Dec. 4, 1990 
     A process for covering a substrate with a textured simulated marble surface and the resulting product. Cement and sand are mixed to form a first mixture to which is added an aqueous solution of an adhesive resin such as an acrylic resin to create a mortar. The mortar is spread on the substrate and one or more color pigments are added to the surface at randomly-spaced locations prior to the complete curing of the mortar. Air is blown onto the surface of the mortar and serves to blend the color pigments into the mortar and into each other. As the air stream moves across the surface of the mortar, color patterns are formed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,502,941 
     Inventor: Louis F. Zember et al. 
     Issued: Apr. 2, 1996 
     An ornamental coating and process for applying the coating to a substrate includes mixing a first batch of liquid mortar composed of sand, cement and an aqueous solution of acrylic resin, and trowelling or spraying a first layer of the liquid mortar onto the substrate and allowing the liquid mortar to cure. A second batch of liquid mortar is mixed which is the same as the first except that it contains a color pigment contrasting with the color of the first batch. A template defining a pattern of grout lines is placed over the cured first batch and the second batch of liquid mortar is trowelled or sprayed over the first batch and the template as a second layer and allowed to cure only to the extent that the second layer is firm, but not hard. The template is then removed, removing that part of the second layer immediately above the template thus exposing lines of the cured first batch which then appear as grout lines between areas of colored mortar which appear as bricks, flagstone or tiles etc. When the second batch has completely cured, two layers of concrete sealer are applied. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,666 
     Inventor: Edward B. Sherry 
     Issued: Aug. 4, 1998 
     A system of light weight, high strength, thin masonry panels having one or more mateable seam hiding edges. The seam hiding edge may be serpentine or some other shape consistent with the masonry element chosen for the panel surface. The aforementioned thin masonry panels are used to construct patio or walkway surfaces as well as provide a decorative facing for walls, fireplaces, and the like. The thickness of the panels is limited to the range of 1 to 2 inches in order to assure a light weight for ease of construction. Each panel is a reinforced series of masonry elements such as stone or brick pavers bound together by a cement or mortar-like material. The claimed invention also includes an attachment plate for affixing the panels to other surfaces and structures. 
     Japan Patent Number JP2000120248 
     Inventor: Nakama Yasuhiro 
     Issued: Apr. 25, 2000 
     PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wall panel having a pattern arranged with a plurality of brick, stone, tile or the like particularly with simple work for jointing together a plurality of wall panels having good appearance with the joints simulating brick joints. SOLUTION: A wall panel 1 for architectural decoration has a pattern of a plurality of sequentially stacked or adhered brick, stone, tile or the like provided with symmetrical stepwise projected portions at the left edge 4 and right edge 5 in such a manner that both the edges can be mutually interlocked, and projected ribs 6 or recessed stripes 7 are provided at predetermined position of this stepwise projected portions in configuration. 
     U.K. Patent Number GB1240041 
     Inventor: Michael Frank Moore et al. 
     Issued: Jul. 21, 1969 
     A brick tile is produced by cutting a thick layer from the surface of a fired clay brick so that it has one natural face and one plain flat face for adhesively securing to a wall surface. Opposite faces of a brick may be cut off to give two tiles. A number of the elements may be assembled together as a panel before application to a wall. 
     While these fabricated panels may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a simulated brick-like building panel. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a simulated brick-like building panel using fiber cement board as the base material providing a building panel that is durable, resistive to weathering, insects and vermin. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a simulated brick-like building panel using fiber cement board that is treated on one side with an acrylic paint and sand mixture to simulate a brick-like finish. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a brick-like building panel wherein the treated side is highlighted with an enamel paint to enhance the brick-like appearance. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a brick-like building panel wherein the brick-like panel is tooled to simulate the mortar-like spacing between laid bricks. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a brick-like building panel where the fiber cement board once treated is scored through the enamel, acrylic paint and sand composition to a depth to give the appearance of brick interdisposed motar. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a brick-like building panel having opposing edges scored on opposing sides whereby a plurality of said panels can be assembled with an overlap from panel to panel. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a brick-like building panel that requires no special tools for assembly. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a brick-like building panel that can be used as a skirt for modular homes. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a brick-like building panel that can be used in place of laid bricks thereby obviating the need for a foundation footing. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a cementitious fiberboard sprayed with an acrylic sand composition and enamel spray paint which is then tooled to a brick-looking face. Variations in the brick-like color and texture are provided by varying the acrylic paint color and sand particle size and density. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of prior art. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of prior art. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 5  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one tile of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 8  is a chart of the process of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a chart of the attributes of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is an illustrative view of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the Simulated Brick Building Panel of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.
           10  Simulated Brick Building Panel of the present invention     12  fiber cement board     14  acrylic paint and sand mixture     16  enamel paint     18  faux mortar line     20  prior art     22  brick and mortar cement siding     24  brick layer     26  concrete footing     28  trench     30  footing support     32  mobile building structure     34  axle of  32       36  hydraulic support     38  vertically overlapped joint     40  overlap of  38       42  underlap of  38       44  installer     46  nailer     48  gang saw cut     50  quick brick foundation facing     52  first coarse     54  second coarse     56  classic red finish     58  rustic brown finish       

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of prior art  20 . Conventional brick and fiber cement siding  22  have been around for a long time. They are costly and a time consuming job that must be installed by an experienced bricklayer  24  and also require a concrete footing  26  in a trench  28  with footing supports  30 . Shown is a bricklayer  24  installing brick and mortar siding  22  under a prefab house  32 . The present invention overcomes this problem by providing a simulated brick siding that installs with basic carpentry skills and is cost effective and does not require a concrete footing. 
       FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of prior art  20 . Shown is a trailer type home  32  having no skirting around the open base of the trailer. The axle  34  and hydraulic supports  36  are visible and the open space allows access to animals, rodents, bugs and other critters. 
       FIG. 3  is an illustrative view of the present invention  10  in use. The present invention  10  is a fiber cement board  12  coated with a brick finish and cut with a modular brick pattern. The process of creating the fiber cement board  12  of the present invention  10  is the fiber cement board  12  sprayed with a mixture of 100% acrylic paint mixed with sand  14  for texture. Then the board is highlighted with the brick look using enamel spray paint  16 . The faux mortar lines  18  defining the brick pattern is sawed, using a gang saw. The vertically overlapped joints  38  are then hand cut using a grinder. The board is washed down and is now ready for installation. 
       FIG. 4  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. Shown is the installer  44  preparing the fiber cement board  12  for installation using basic carpentry skills. The finished boards  12  are secured to nailers  46  with fastening elements such as nails or screws. 
       FIG. 5  is an illustrative view of the present invention  10  in use. Shown is the present invention in use on a trailer type home  32 . The cement board  12  skirting of the present invention  10  hides the trailers  32  under side equipment such as axles and hydraulic supports, adding elegance and increasing the value of the home. The skirting also prevents critters from finding habitat under the home. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one tile of the present invention  10 . The faux mortar lines  18  defining the brick pattern of the quick brick foundation facing  50  are made with gang saw cuts  48 . The vertically overlapped joints  38  of the board  12  are then hand cut using a grinder to form an overlap  40  on one edge and an underlap  42  at the opposing edge. The board is washed down and is ready for installation. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the present invention  10  in use. Shown is the present invention  10  having a first course  52  of boards  12  installed and a second course  54  ready for installation by mating the overlap  40  of the first course  52  with the underlap  42  of the second  54  to form a vertically overlapped joint  38 . 
       FIG. 8  is a chart of the process of the present invention  10 . Shown is a chart of the process of creating the simulated brick fiber cement board  12  of the present invention  10  by spraying the fiber cement board  12  with acrylic paint mixed with sand  14 , then applying enamel spray paint  16  to the board  12 , using gang saw cuts  48  to define a brick-like pattern and using a grinder to make the vertically overlapped joints  38 . 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the present invention  10 . Shown is the next step in creating the fiber cement siding of the present invention  10 . The brick pattern is sawed producing gang saw cuts  48 . The vertically overlapped joints  38  are then hand cut using a grinder. The board  12  is washed down and is now ready for installation. 
       FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of the present invention  10  taken from  FIG. 9  as indicated. Shown is the cement board  12  having a brick foundation facing  50  sprayed with acrylic paint and sand mixture  14  and enamel paint  16  and scored with gang saw cuts  48 . The overlap  40  and underlap  42  of the vertically overlapped joints  38  are hand cut using a grinder. 
       FIG. 11  is a chart of the attributes of the present invention  10 . Shown is a chart demonstrating the advantages and the benefits of the simulated brick panel of the present invention  10 . 
       FIG. 12  is an illustrative view of the present invention  10 . The finished cement board  12  is available in at least two colors which include a classic red finish  56  and a rustic brown finish  58 . 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4