Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a snap lock siding system includes a snap lock receiver rail that holds the siding in place and provides predetermined, accurate spacing of the siding. The system includes a receiver rail connected to a bottom receiver track that holds the bottom edge of the siding in place and acts as a closure strip for the bottom edge of the siding system. In addition, the system includes siding that is designed to snap into the receiver rail and receiver track.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application incorporates by reference and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/882,285 filed on Sep. 25, 2013. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present subject matter relates generally to a snap lock siding system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a siding product that snaps in place and requires no fasteners to secure the siding panels with respect to each other and with respect to the receiver rails attached to the building. 
         [0003]    Conventional siding solutions typically require a labor intensive process of aligning siding panels and securing each panel to a foundation structure, such as a house or building. In order to align each panel parallel with a previously attached panel requires various measurements and balancing tools. Further, more than one person may be needed to secure the siding panels to a foundation structure owing to the complexity of the installation. 
         [0004]    Conventional siding solutions that snap together require fasteners installed at a predetermined interval along one edge of the siding panels to hold them in place. If these fasteners are installed improperly the siding can warp and bind up when it expands and contracts causing the siding to buckle and compromise the structural integrity of the siding. Further, the siding may virtually pull itself off the building if the fasteners are installed improperly. 
         [0005]    Accordingly there is a need for a system that is simple to install and allows the siding to float freely while expanding and contracting, as described herein. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    To meet the needs described above and others, the present disclosure provides a siding system that is easy to install and allows the siding to expand and contract while floating freely in at least one direction with respect to other siding panels and the receiver rails. 
         [0007]    The complete snap lock siding system includes a snap lock receiver rail that holds the siding in place and provides predetermined, accurate spacing of the siding. The system includes a bottom starter track that holds the bottom edge of the siding in place and acts as a closure strip for the bottom edge of the siding and a lap siding that is designed to snap in place. 
         [0008]    The snap lock receiver rail may be installed vertically and act as the receiving end of the snap lock system. The retainer tabs located on the receiver rail grab each section of the lap siding providing a sturdier installation than conventional systems. The siding is simply pressed or snapped in and up on to the receiver rail. The starter track holds the bottom edge of the siding in place in a similar manner to the receiver rail but is continuous along the bottom edge to also act as a closure strip for the siding. An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a complete, simple to install system that improves the structural integrity of the siding by securing the siding more frequently while allowing it to float freely when expanding and contracting thus eliminating any buckling and wrinkling of the siding caused by fasteners. 
         [0009]    The present disclosure provides a siding snap lock system comprising a snap receiver rail including a receiver rail front surface, a planar receiver rail back surface, and a plurality of receiver rail retainer tabs extending from the receiver rail back surface, wherein the receiver rail retainer tabs include a hook shape defining a receiver rail retainer space. The system also includes a receiver track including a planar receiver track back surface and a receiver track retainer tab extending from the receiver track back surface, wherein the receiver track retainer tab includes a hook shape defining a receiver track retainer space. In addition, the system includes a first siding including a first siding top bulb, a first siding middle bulb, and a first siding bottom bulb, wherein the first siding top bulb is connected to the first siding middle bulb by a siding linear body, wherein the first siding middle bulb is connected to the first siding bottom bulb by the siding linear body. The first siding top bulb extends from the siding linear body, wherein the first siding top bulb includes a hook shape defining a first siding retainer space. The first siding bottom bulb is removably inserted into the receiver track retainer space. The first siding top bulb and the first siding middle bulb are removeably inserted into receiver rail retainer spaces respectively. 
         [0010]    The system may include a second siding including a second siding top bulb, a second siding middle bulb, and a second siding bottom bulb, wherein the second siding bottom bulb is removeably inserted into the first siding retainer space of the first siding top bulb. 
         [0011]    The receiver track may include a receiver track first end and a receiver track second end, wherein the snap receiver rail may include a receiver rail first end and a receiver rail second end. The receiver rail second end may include a receiver rail alignment tab, wherein the receiver track first end engages with the receiver rail alignment tab. The receiver track second end may include a receiver track alignment tab that extends perpendicular to the receiver track back surface. 
         [0012]    The receiver rail may include a plurality of fastener openings to receive a fastener, wherein the fastener openings extend from the receiver rail front surface through the receiver rail back surface. 
         [0013]    The receiver rail may include a plurality of support rails connecting a top surface of the receiver rail retainer tab to the receiver rail front surface. 
         [0014]    The receiver rail may include an insulation receiver groove, wherein the insulation receiver groove is between the receiver rail front surface and the receiver rail back surface. 
         [0015]    The receiver rail and the receiver track may be attached to a foundation structure by fasteners. 
         [0016]    An objective of the invention is to provide a solution that is simple to install. 
         [0017]    Another objective of the invention is to hold the siding securely in place while allowing it to float freely. 
         [0018]    Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a system that holds insulation in place, while acting as a seal at the joints between sections of insulation and also hold the siding in place. 
         [0019]    An advantage of the snap lock siding system is that it is easy to install. 
         [0020]    Another advantage of the snap lock siding system is that it secures the siding more frequently, thus increasing its structural integrity. 
         [0021]    Another advantage of the snap lock siding system is that because of the method in which the siding is held in place it allows for the siding to expand and contract freely along at least one axis of movement, which helps to eliminate binding and buckling. 
         [0022]    Yet another advantage is that with a slight design change to the snap lock receiver rail, it will accommodate ¼′ or 1″ rigid insulation and provide an air tight joint between insulation panels. 
         [0023]    Another advantage is the starter track is continuous and has a drip edge reducing the chances that water will come in contact with the plywood sheathing. 
         [0024]    Another advantage is that the snap lock receiver rails can be installed end to end providing the correct spacing. 
         [0025]    Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.szcd 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an embodiment of the snap lock siding system disclosed herein. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a front view of an example of the retainer rail and a bottom receiver track. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 3A-3D  are side views of an example of a snap lock siding system disclosed herein, wherein  FIGS. 3B-3D  are expanded views of various snap lock connections. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an example of a siding disclosed herein. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an embodiment of the snap lock receiver rail. 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is a side view of an embodiment of the snap lock receiver in combination with insulation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example the snap lock system  10  disclosed herein. The snap lock system  10  includes a snap receiver rail  12 , siding  14 , and a receiver track  16 . Typically, the system  10  is installed on an exterior face of a wall or foundation structure by way of a receiver rail  12 . 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the snap lock receiver rail  12  extends perpendicular from the bottom receiver track  16 . The receiver rail  12  includes a receiver rail back surface  13  that is planar at may be positioned and attached flush against the foundation structure  52 . The receiver rail  12  also includes a plurality of receiver rail retainer tabs  18  that are equally spaced along the length of the receiver rail  12 . The receiver rail retainer tabs  18  may be in the shape of a hook that extends from a receiver rail front surface  68  of the receiver rail  12 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The receiver rail retainer tab  18  forms a receiver rail retainer space  36  to receive a siding bulb  34 ,  24 ,  32 . The receiver rail retainer tab  18  includes a receiver rail retainer ramp  19  on an interior surface of the receiver rail retainer tab  18 . The receiver rail retainer ramp  19  is a linear incline that is not parallel to a front surface of the receiver rail  12 . Typically, the receiver rail retainer ramp  19  is positioned at an angle with respect to normal such that the receiver rail retainer ramp  19  aids inserting a siding bulb  34 ,  24 ,  32  into the receiver rail retainer space  36 . Typically, the receiver rail retainer ramp  19  enables the siding bulb  34 ,  24 ,  32  into the receiver rail retainer space  36 . 
         [0035]    The receiver rail  12  may also include receiver rail fastener openings  21  to receive fasteners  22 , wherein the fasteners  22  may attach the receiver rail  12  to a foundation structure  52 , such as an outer surface wall of a building. The fastener  22  may be any suitable fasteners including, but not limited to, nails, screws, latches, clamps, bolts, among others. 
         [0036]    The receiver rail  12  may also include support ribs  44  that attach an upper surface of the receiver rail retainer tab  18  to a front surface of the receiver rail  12 . The support ribs  44  improve the structural integrity of the receiver rail retainer tab  18 . 
         [0037]    The receiver rail  12  includes a receiver rail first end  60  and a receiver end second end  62 , wherein the receiver end second end  62  attaches to the receiver track  16 . For example, the receiver rail  12  may include a receiver rail alignment tab  17  that engages with the receiver track  16 . As shown in  FIG. 3D , the receiver rail alignment tab  17  engages with a receiver track first end  56  of the receiver track  16 . The receiver rail alignment tab  17  may engage with receiver track first end  56  of the receiver track  16  in any suitable manner. For example, the receiver rail alignment tab  17  may be a particular shape that fits with the top portion of the receiver track  16 . Alternatively, the engagement may include a fastening system including fasteners  22 , including clasps, latches, nails, screws, or any suitable attachment mechanism. 
         [0038]    The receiver track  16  is used to align the bottom receiver track  16  along a horizontal surface of the structural foundation to which the system  10  is attached. For example, a receiver track second end  58  of the receiver track  16  may be aligned at the bottom of a wall or side of a house. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the receiver track  16  may include a receiver track back surface  54  that may be installed flush against a bottom edge of the foundation structure  52  by placing a receiver track alignment tab  20  along the bottom edge of the foundation structure  52 . The receiver track  16  includes a receiver track retainer tab  30  creating a receiver track retainer space  26  to receive a siding bottom bulb  24 . The receiver track retainer tab  30  is a hook shape that extends from a receiver track front surface  70 . The receiver track retainer tab  30  includes a receiver track retainer ramp  28  to aid sliding or inserting the siding bottom bulb  24  into the receiver track retainer space  26 . The receiver track retainer ramp  30  is a linear incline that is not parallel to a front surface of the foundation structure  52 . 
         [0040]    The bottom receiver track  16  may include a plurality of receiver track fastener openings  48  to receive fasteners  22 . In addition, the receiver track  16  may include a receiver track drip edge  50  to aid in water runoff. As shown in  FIG. 3D , the receiver track drip edge  50  may extend out and downward from the receiver track alignment tab  20 . 
         [0041]    In an example, a plurality of snap lock retainer rails  12  may be attached to the receiver track  16  such that each snap lock retainer rail  12  is installed at a predetermined spacing, wherein the retainer rails  12  extend vertically from the receiver track  16 . In such example, a piece of siding  14  may connect to more than one retainer rail  12 . 
         [0042]    The snap lock retainer rail  12  may be attached to the receiver track  16  by a pressure fit, or any suitable means. Alternatively, or in addition to, the receiver rail alignment tab  17  may engage with the receiver track  16  or the snap lock receiver rail  12 . Once the receiver track  16  and the snap lock retainer rails  12  have been installed, the siding  14  may be installed starting from the bottom and work up with each new piece of siding  14 . 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , each piece of siding  14  includes a siding top bulb  34 , at least one siding middle bulb  32 , and a siding bottom bulb  24 . The siding bulbs are connected to each other by a planar siding linear body  15 . A cross section of the siding top bulb  34  includes curved hook shape that defines a siding retainer space  38 . The siding top bulb  34  includes a siding top groove  35  that engages with the receiver rail retainer tab  18  by inserting into at least a portion of the receiver rail retainer space  36 . 
         [0044]    The siding  14  includes at least one siding middle bulb  32  including a siding middle groove  33 . A cross section of the siding middle bulb  32  includes curved shape. The siding middle groove  33  is configured to insert or engage with the receiver rail retainer tab  18  by inserting into a portion of the receiver rail retainer space  36 . In an example the siding  14  includes one siding middle bulb  32 . In another example, the siding  14  may include two or more siding middle bulbs  32 . 
         [0045]    The siding  14  also includes a siding bottom bulb  24  including a siding bottom groove  25 . The siding bottom bulb  24  is configured to insert into at least a portion of the receiver track retainer space  26  and/or the siding retainer space  38  in the siding top bulb  24 . 
         [0046]    In an example, a first siding  64  may snap into the receiver track  16  forming a continuous weather tight joint by placing the siding bottom bulb  24  into the receiver track retainer space  26 . The siding bottom groove  25  may be pushed up over the receiver track retainer ramp  28 , thereby securing the siding  14  to the receiver track retainer tab  30 . At the same time, or after, the siding middle bulb  32  may be inserted into the receiver rail retainer space  36 . The siding top bulb  34  may be aligned and snapped into the corresponding receiver rail retainer space  36  on the snap lock retainer rail  12 . 
         [0047]    After the first siding  64  has been installed, a second siding  66  can be installed in virtually the same fashion with the exception that the siding bottom bulb  24  may be inserted into the siding retainer space  38  of the siding top bulb  34  of the first piece of siding  14 . This process would be repeated until the entire wall or foundation structure  52  has been sided. As a result of the siding  14  snapping into the retainer rail  12  and the receiver track  16 , instead of being attached to the retainer rail  12  and the receiver track  16  by fasteners, the siding  14  may naturally expand and contract over time without causing the siding  14  to buckle or deform, which results from to permanent fasteners. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 5  shows a horizontal cross sectional view of the snap lock receiver rail  12  with the receiver rail retainer tab  18  in elevation. As shown, a fastener  22  attaches the receiver rail  12  to the foundation structure  52 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 6  illustrates the snap lock receiver rail  12  configured to receive varying thicknesses of rigid insulation  40 . In such example, the receiver rail  12  includes an insulation receiver groove  42  to receive insulation  40 , wherein the receiver rail  12  forms a continuous airtight joint between sections of insulation  40  and secures the insulation  40  in place. The insulation receiver groove  42  is between the receiver rail front surface  68  and the receiver rail back surface  13 . The insulation receiver groove  42  may be configured to receive any size thickness of insulation  40 , such as ¼ inch, ½ inch, 1 inch, or more. 
         [0050]    It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. For example, various embodiments of the method and portable electronic device may be provided based on various combinations of the features and functions from the subject matter provided herein.