Abstract:
A mounting bracket assembly includes a base member for attachment to substructure of an exterior wall at least in part beneath siding. A trim member is configured to be coupled to the base member to conceal ends of the siding. A first series of baffles extends transversely from the base member. A first drip ledge is spaced from the first series of baffles to define a cavity between the first drip ledge and the first series of baffles. The first drip ledge extends transversely from the base member for disposition below the first series of baffles when the base member is mounted to the substructure to divert the water from the cavity to an exterior of the siding. The drip ledge has an end dam at first and second ends of the drip ledge for diverting water from the cavity onto the first drip ledge.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/816,230, filed Jun. 15, 2010, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/510,016, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,735,790, filed Jul. 27, 2009, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/459,657 filed on Jul. 25, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,566,034, which claims priority to and all advantages of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/712,523 which was filed on Aug. 31, 2005, the entire disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The subject invention generally relates to an exterior siding mounting bracket assembly and more particularly to a bi-directional mounting bracket assembly. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Common in residential building structures, sheathing of an exterior wall is known to be covered with a siding material typically made of cedar, aluminum, plastic 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 around the siding 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 under the siding. 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. 
         [0004]    The trim member typically 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 central 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. 
         [0005]    During construction of the building, once the base member is secured to the wall or sheathing, the siding material is installed over the sheathing 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 of the bracket 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 beneath the concealed ends of the siding and against the mounting flange of the base member. Accumulation of water directly against the mounting flange can cause water propagation outward from the wall of the base member and beyond the mounting flange, thus 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. 
         [0006]    To reduce or eliminate this water seepage, various bracket assemblies are known to be self-flashing for diverting water run-off away from the sheathing. One such bracket is taught in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0136060 A1, published Jul. 24, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Unfortunately, known self-flashing bracket assemblies can be mounted in one position only. Particularly, oblong or rectangular bracket assemblies must be separately manufactured with distinct features for horizontal and vertical orientations. This requires separate manufacturing molds/tooling and can complicate shipping and stocking of the product. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES 
       [0007]    A bi-directional mounting bracket assembly is utilized in conjunction with exterior siding that covers sheathing of an exterior wall. A base member of the assembly has a mounting flange secured to the sheathing and a continuous wall arrangement that projects outward with respect to the sheathing and from the mounting flange. Preferably, the wall arrangement supports a raised central panel used for mounting of fixtures. The wall arrangement preferably has four walls extending laterally between the mounting flange and the central panel. Spaced radially outward from the two adjacent walls are respective first and second drip ledges, and spaced radially outward from the other two adjacent walls are respective first and second baffle sets. When the assembly is mounted to the sheathing, a selective one of the two drip ledges is disposed substantially horizontally and beneath the wall arrangement for shedding of water. The baffle set adjacent to the horizontal drip ledge cascades water downward and generally toward the respective wall to channel water upon the selected horizontal drip ledge. 
         [0008]    Preferably, the wall arrangement and central panel are rectangular is shape thus the first drip ledge is shorter than the second drip ledge and the first baffle set has a linear length shorter than the second baffle set. An exterior trim member or flange preferably snap fits to the base member for covering the cut edges of the siding, the baffle sets, and the drip ledges. 
         [0009]    Features, advantages and benefits of the present invention include a mounting bracket assembly having an irregular or rectangular shape that can be selectively mounted in at least two positions without degrading the assemblies self-flashing and water shedding capability. Other advantages include 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. The assembly reduces or eliminates of structural maintenance, has a design that is relatively simple, robust and versatile, and is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to install. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    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: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bi-directional mounting bracket assembly embodying the present invention and illustrated in a vertical position and an unassembled state; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the mounting bracket assembly illustrated in an assembled state; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the mounting bracket assembly in the unassembled state; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged partial view of the mounting bracket assembly taken from circle  4  of  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0015]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , a bi-directional 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. 
         [0016]    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 by the siding material. The mounting bracket assembly  20  is generally self-flashing for the prevention of water seepage beneath the siding, and 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. 
         [0017]    The base member  26  is generally a rectangular shape (as oppose to square or round) and can be mounted in two selective positions, preferably vertical or horizontal. The base member  26  has a mounting flange  32  and a rectangular 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 and rectangular facial or 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 substantially rectangular perimeter  38  of the central panel  36  at its 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). 
         [0018]    Preferably the rectangular wall arrangement  34  of the base member  26  has a first wall  50 , a second wall  52 , a third wall  54  and a fourth wall  56 . When the assembly  20  is in a vertical position  58  (i.e. the first and second walls  50 ,  52  are longer than the third and fourth walls  54 ,  56 ) and as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the first and second walls  50 ,  52  are substantially vertical, thus being left and right side walls, respectively. Similarly, the third and fourth walls  54 ,  56  are substantially horizontal, thus being top and bottom walls, respectively. 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 a bottom portion  66  associated with the bottom wall  56 . Because the assembly  20  is bi-directional, the base member  26  can be rotated about ninety degrees counter-clockwise moving the assembly from the vertical position as illustrated in  FIG. 1  and into a horizontal position (not shown). When in the horizontal position, the longer first wall  50  is the bottom wall, the longer second wall  52  is the top wall, the shorter third wall  54  is the left side wall and the shorter fourth wall  56  is the right side wall. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , two sets of sloped baffles  68 ,  70  of the base member  26  are formed to and project axially outward from adjacent portions  62 ,  64  of the mounting flange  32 , respectively, for channeling water generally radially inward, with respect to axis  30 , toward the respective second and third walls  52 ,  54 , respectively. Each baffle set  68 ,  70  are arranged in a linear fashion generally forming a line that is spaced radially outward from and substantially parallel to respective second and third walls  52 ,  54  of the rectangular wall arrangement  34 . 
         [0020]    Projecting laterally outward from the first or left portion  60  and the fourth or bottom portion  66  of the flange  32  are respective drip ledges  72 ,  74 . The elongated drip ledges  72 ,  74  extend substantially parallel to and are spaced radially outward from respective first and fourth walls  50 ,  56 . Drip ledge  72  has a shelf portion  76  engaged directly to the left portion  60  of the flange  32  and projecting laterally outward therefrom to a drip edge  78 . Projecting laterally outward from the drip edge  78  and radially outward with respect to axis  30  is a draped portion  80  of the drip ledge  72 . Contiguous to the ends of the shelf portion  76  and the left portion  60  are respective end dams  82 ,  84  for diverting water over the drip edge  78  when the assembly  20  is in the horizontal position. Similarly, the drip ledge  74  has a shelf portion  86  engaged directly to the bottom portion  66  of the flange  32  and projecting laterally outward therefrom to a drip edge  88 . Projecting laterally outward from the drip edge  88  and radially outward with respect to axis  30  is a draped portion  90  of the drip ledge  74 . Contiguous to the ends of the shelf portion  86  and the bottom portion  66  are respective end dams  92 ,  94  for diverting water over the drip edge  88  when the assembly  20  is in the vertical position. 
         [0021]    The trim member  28  has an exterior flange  96  that defines a substantially rectangular hole  98  contoured to accept the central panel  36  of the base member  26 . The flange  96  has an external surface  99  designed to be aesthetically pleasing and an internal surface  100  that faces in an axial inward direction with respect to the axis  30 . Located proximate to each of four corners of the exterior flange  96  and projecting in an axial inward direction with respect to axis  30  and from the internal surface  100  are four pins  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 . Each pin  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  is associated with a respective bosses  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116  of the base member  26  each having a bore  118  for snug or locking receipt of the associate pins  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  when the assembly  20  is assembled. 
         [0022]    Preferably, boss  110  carries end dam  84  of drip ledge  72  and end dam  92  of drip ledge  74 ; boss  112  carries end dam  94  of drip ledge  74 ; boss  114  is generally a corner fitting between baffle sets  68 ,  70 ; and boss  116  carries end dam  82  of drip ledge  72 . A series of spacers or ribs  120  project axially outward from each draped portion  80 ,  90  for spacing the internal surface  100  of the exterior flange  96  away from the drip ledges  72 ,  74  to assure that water does not dam behind the trim member  28 . A living hinge  122  is preferably carried between the distal edge of draped portion  90  of drip ledge  74  and an outer perimeter  124  of the exterior flange  96 . The living hinge  122  preferably has a series of linearly aligned slots  126  for the drainage of water when the assembly  20  is in the vertical position  58 . 
         [0023]    The bi-directional mounting bracket assembly  20  is preferably one unitary injection molded plastic part. During installation of the assembly  20 , the installer first selects the desired vertical or horizontal position. When selected, the installer assures that one of the two drip ledges  72 ,  74  are near the bottom of the base member  26 . The flange  32  of the base member  26  is then fastened or preferably nailed to the sheathing. Preferably the mounting flange  32  has holes  128  for receipt of nails or screws for this attachment. 
         [0024]    With the base member  26  secured to the sheathing, the siding is appropriately trimmed during installation placing the siding over the mounting flange  32  and beneath the draped portions  80 ,  90  of respective drip ledges  72 ,  74 . The siding is also trimmed so that the cut edges are radially outward from and abut or are substantially near to planar segments  130  of each baffle of the baffle sets  68 ,  70 , and abut or are substantially near to the shelf portions  76 ,  86  of respective drip ledges  72 ,  74 . With the siding installed, the trim member  28  is pivoted about the living hinge  122  until the pins  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  are press fitted into the respective bosses  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 . When completely installed, the trim member  28  covers the cut ends of the siding along with the baffle sets  68 ,  70  and drip ledges  72 ,  74  of the base member  26  for a pleasing appearance. 
         [0025]    In operation and during inclement weather, water intrusion, or rain water cascading down the siding from above the mounting bracket assembly  20  will flow beneath the exterior flange  96 . When the assembly  20  is in the vertical position  58  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the baffle set  70  is generally inactive since gravity will cause water to impinge upon the adjacent top wall  54  regardless of the baffle set&#39;s presence. Each baffle of the generally vertical baffle set  68 , however, has a sloped segment  132  that projects downward from the planar segment  130  and toward the left causing the water to cascade downward from one sloped segment  132  to the next and until the water is diverted upon the shelf portion  86  of the drip ledge  74  proximate to the end dam  94 . Any water flowing downward upon the first portion  60  of the mounting flange  32  is substantially channeled downward between the vertical shelf portion  76  of the drip ledge  72  and the first wall  50  of the wall arrangement  34  and is diverted upon the shelf portion  86  of the drip ledge  74  by the end dam  92 . All water collected upon the shelf portion  86  flows over the drip edge  88  and through the space between the draped portion  90  and internal surface  100  of the exterior flange  96  created by the spacers  120 . If the assembly  20  is mounted in the horizontal position instead of the vertical position  58  as illustrated, operation of the assembly is generally the same except that the functions of the drip ledges  72 ,  74  are reversed, and the functions of the baffle sets  68 ,  70  are reversed. 
         [0026]    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. For instance, the present invention is not limited to an assembly having a rectangular shape or a wall arrangement having only four walls. In fact, the assembly could be of any variety of irregular shapes wherein a choice of mounting positions is desirable. 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.