Patent ID: 7284355

Claim:
A wall fastener for use between a stud wall and a mounting track, and configured to support first and second wall cladding material members relative to each other to provide a continuous wall cladding material structure between the stud wall and the mounting track, the mounting track having side walls with an inside surface and an outside surface, the fastener comprising: a first portion having first and second opposed primary surfaces and first and second sides, the first portion being secured to the mounting track with the first primary surface facing the mounting track and the second primary surface facing the first wall cladding material member; a second portion having a third primary surface that extends parallel to the first portion and is offset from the second primary surface a predetermined distance, the second portion being secured to the second wall cladding material member with the third primary surface facing the second wall cladding material member thereby supporting the second wall cladding material member in engagement with the first wall cladding material member; a first fastening structure secured to the first side of the first portion, the first fastening structure slidingly engaging the stud wall thereby retaining the wall fastener to the stud wall while providing sliding movement of the wall fastener relative to the stud wall; a third portion extending between the first and second portions to secure the first and second portions together; and a fourth portion secured to the second portion and extending from the second portion toward the first portion, the fourth portion including a surface that extends in the same plane as the first surface.