Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Statement of the Technical Field 
   The inventive arrangements relate to tools for installing siding on a building construction, and more particularly to installing lapped siding. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Installation of siding planks for a building construction can be difficult and tedious work. Siding planks are typically installed from the bottom of the structure to the top. Each succeeding planks in typically installed on a wall lapped to a predetermined extent over a previously installed plank. However, it can be difficult to align succeeding planks with the previously installed planks. Further, it can be difficult to ensure that each succeeding plank is properly lapped over previously installed planks. Excessive amounts of overlapping as between adjacent planks can result in excessive numbers of planks being required to completely cover a wall with siding. Insufficient lapping can permit rain and moisture to penetrate the siding. 
   Various tools have been proposed to permit more efficient installation of siding planks. Examples of such tools are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,155,175; 4,159,029; 4,425,714; 4,862,669; 5,203,090; 5,319,909; 5,465,499; and 6,848,192. However, all of the currently available tools suffer from one of several limitations. These limitations relate in each case to the manner in which the tool is positioned while installing each plank. Some siding tools require the user to hold the tool in position while installing each plank. This is unsafe and inconvenient because it leaves the installer with only one hand free during the installation process or requires a second person. Another method for positioning the tool can involve nailing the tool to the wall during the installation of a siding plank, and subsequently prying the tool loose from the wall when the installation of the plank is complete or nearly complete. This process damages the face of the siding and the underlying weatherproof barrier. It is also time consuming and inefficient for the installer. A third method of positioning the tool involves hooks that extend around the back side of a previously installed plank. The hook used on such tools generally includes a portion that extends between the siding plank and the wall on which the siding is to be installed. This approach is an improvement over the other methods for positioning the siding plank. However, it remains problematic because the hook on the tool can easily become jammed between the plank and the wall. Once again, this positioning limitation can slow down the installation process. It can also result in uneven installation of the siding and damages the underlying weather-resistant barrier. Finally, the process is time consuming for the installer. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention concerns a tool for efficiently hanging a siding plank on a wall in overlapping relation to a previously attached siding plank. Furthermore, the tool can be secured to a siding plank previously attached to a wall without using a hook that extends behind the previously attached siding plank. These features make the tool more convenient to use and allow the siding job to proceed more quickly. 
   The tool is formed from an elongated base member. A first lip and a second lip project a predetermined distance from the same side of the elongated base member at opposing first and second ends thereof. The first and second lips are advantageously aligned in respective planes that are generally transverse to a plane defined by the elongated base member. Moreover, the first lip and the second lip can be spaced apart by a distance approximately equal to a width of a plank of siding. 
   A shelf or ledge is also provided on the elongated base member. The ledge projects from a second side of the elongated base member opposed from the first side. The ledge can be aligned in a plane generally transverse to a plane of the elongated base member. Moreover, the ledge can be sized and shaped for receiving an edge of a plank of siding. A handle can be provided projecting from the second side of the elongated base member. 
   With the tool arranged as described, the first lip, the second lip and the elongated base member together comprise a resilient clip. The resilient clip can frictionally engage a previously attached siding plank at opposing upper and lower edges thereof. More particularly, the first lip and the second lip can engage the upper and lower edges of the previously attached siding plank. 
   At least one of the first and second lips can be aligned with a plane that forms an acute angle relative to a plane defined by said elongated base member. For example, the first lip at an upper end of the tool can be angled slightly toward the lower lip to improve the gripping action of the first lip relative to a previously attached siding plank. The second lip on a lower end of the tool can be similarly angled slightly toward the upper lip. Alternatively, the second lip can be angled slightly away from the upper lip to form an obtuse angle with the elongated base member to facilitate attachment and removal of the clip from a previously attached siding plank. 
   According to one aspect of the invention, the tool can also include an adjustable structure for selectively controlling the spacing between the first lip and the second lip. In one such structure, the elongated base member can be formed of an upper and a lower element that are movable relative to one another. The movement of the upper and lower element can be used to change the spacing between the first lip and the second lip for resiliently engaging the edges of different sizes of siding planks. In this regard, a resilient element can be attached to the upper element and the lower element respectively. The resilient element can resiliently bias the first lip toward said second lip for enhancing the operation of the spring clip. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a siding tool that is useful for understanding the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is cross-sectional view of the siding tool in  FIG. 1 , taken along line  2 - 2 . 
       FIGS. 3-6  are a series of drawings that are useful for understanding how the siding tool in  FIG. 1  can be used. 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of alternative embodiment of a siding tool that is useful for understanding the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   A tool for efficiently hanging a siding plank on a wall in overlapping relation to a previously attached siding plank is shown in  FIG. 1 . The tool  100  can include an elongated base member  101 . A first lip  104  and a second lip  106  project a predetermined distance from a side  114  of the elongated base member  101  at opposing first and second ends of the elongated base. As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the first and second lips  104 ,  106  are advantageously aligned in respective planes that are generally transverse to a plane defined by the elongated base member. Moreover, the first lip  104  and the second lip  106  can be advantageously spaced apart by a distance approximately equal to a width of a plank of siding. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a shelf or ledge  102  is also provided on the elongated base member  101 . The ledge  102  projects from a second side  116  of the elongated base member  101  opposed from the side  114 . As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the ledge  102  can be aligned in a plane generally transverse to a plane of the elongated base member. Moreover, the ledge  102  can be sized and shaped for receiving and temporarily supporting an edge of a plank of siding. A handle  108  can be provided projecting from the second side  116  of the elongated base member  101  for grasping the tool. 
   The elongated base member  101 , the first lip  104 , and the second lip  106  are advantageously formed of sheet metal, plastic or composite material. However, the invention is not limited in this regard and other materials can also be used. The material selected should advantageously offer some degree of spring or flex for reasons that will be better understood from the description below. 
   With the tool arranged as described in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first lip  104 , the second lip  106  and/or the elongated base member  101  can comprise a resilient clip. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , these three elements can cooperate together to form the resilient clip. For example, the first lip  104 , second lip  106 , and the elongated base member can flex or resiliently deform slightly in the direction of arrows  112  shown in  FIG. 2 . The tool  100 , operating as a spring clip, can frictionally engage a previously attached siding plank at opposing upper and lower edges thereof. More particularly, the first lip  104  and the second lip  106  can engage the upper and lower edges of a previously attached siding plank. The attachment of the tool to a plank and its use for installing additional siding planks will now be described in greater detail in relation to  FIGS. 3-6 . 
   In  FIG. 3  there is shown in cross-section a wall  300  on which siding planks are being installed. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the tool  100  can be positioned on a previously installed siding plank  302 . The first lip  104 , the second lip  106 , and the elongated base member  101  cooperate to frictionally engage the upper and lower edges  303 ,  305  of the previously installed siding plank  302 . More particularly, the lips  104 ,  106  can flex slightly as the tool is pushed onto the plank, thereby providing a secure spring-like engagement with the edges of the plank. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the elongated base member can resiliently flex to a limited extent as the lips  104 ,  106  are pushed over the edges  303 ,  305  of the previously installed siding plank  302 . In this regard, it will be appreciated that the elongated engagement member can have a slight arc along its elongate length. Such an can improve the spring action of the tool as it allows the relative spacing between the first and second lips to change slightly as the tool is positioned on a previously installed siding plank  302 . 
   Once the tool  100  is positioned as described, a siding plank  304 , which is to be installed, can be positioned on ledge  103 . This step is best observed in  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  FIG. 4  shows the siding plank being moved to position and  FIG. 5  shows the siding plank  304  positioned on the ledge  103 . Once the siding plank  304  is in position as shown in  FIG. 5 , conventional means can be used for partially securing the siding plank  304  to the wall. Typically, such installations will involve the use of metal nails, screws or adhesives. However, after the plank  304  is at least partially installed, and prior to securing to wall  300  that portion of the plank where it is supported by tool  100 , the tool  100  can be slipped off of the previously installed siding plank  302 . Once the tool is removed, nails, screws or other securing means can be used to attach the remaining portions of the siding plank  304 . The foregoing process can be repeated until all of the siding planks are installed. 
   Notably, in  FIGS. 3-6  the installation of siding planks using the tool  100  is described using only a single tool. However, it should be understood that that two or more tools  100  can be used to support each siding plank as it is installed. Further, it may be observed in  FIGS. 3-6  that the first lip  104  and the second lip  106  extend a predetermined distance from the elongated base member. The precise distance the lips extend from the elongated base member is not critical. However, it can be advantageous for this distance to roughly correspond to the thickness of the plank. Alternatively the lip can extend somewhat less than the thickness of the plank. In any case, it is advantageous to limit the length of the lips  104 ,  106  so they do not protrude beyond the thickness of the plank  302  when the tool  100  is positioned thereon. Further, it may be noted that the lips advantageously do not have any hook portion that would extend between a plank of siding  302  and wall  300 . With the lips  104 ,  106  configured as described herein, the tool  100  can be easily removed after each plank installation. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2  again, it can be observed that at least one of the first and second lips can be aligned with a plane that forms an acute angle relative to a plane defined by said elongated base member. For example, the first lip  104  at an upper end of the tool can be angled slightly toward the lower lip  106 . This angle can advantageously improve the gripping action of the first lip relative to a previously attached siding plank  302 . The second lip  106  on a lower end of the tool  100  can be similarly angled slightly toward the upper lip. Alternatively, the second lip can be angled slightly away from the upper lip as shown in  FIG. 2  to form an obtuse angle with respect to the elongated base member  101 . Such an angle can facilitate attachment and removal of the clip from a previously attached siding plank, although it provides a slightly less secure engagement. 
   In  FIG. 2 , it may also be noted that the elongated base member  101  is shown as essentially a planar element. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited in this regard. The elongated base member can have a slight arc or bow (not shown) along its elongated lengths. Such an arc can facilitate the spring action of the elongated base member  101 . 
   According to one aspect of the invention, a siding tool in accordance with the inventive arrangements can also include an adjustable structure for selectively controlling the spacing between the first lip and the second lip.  FIG. 7  shows one such structure in which an elongated base member  702  is formed of an upper element  705  and a lower element  703  that are movable relative to one another. In  FIG. 7 , the upper element  705  and the lower element  703  slide relative to one another by means of a post and slot arrangement. More particularly, a post  714  secured to lower element  703  can slide within a slot  716  defined in the upper element  705 . Two or more such slot elements can be used to maintain the alignment of the upper and lower elements. Of course, there are many other ways that the upper and lower elements can be constructed to move in a sliding alignment with one another and the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular adjustment structures shown. 
   In  FIG. 7 , a resilient element  721  can be provided attached to the upper and lower elements  705 ,  703  by means of hook members  718 ,  720 . The resilient element can be an elastic band, a coil spring or any other type of resilient device capable of biasing the upper element  705  toward the lower element  703 . The movement of the upper and lower elements  703 ,  705  relative to one another can be used to change the spacing between the first lip  704  and the second lip  706  for resiliently engaging the edges of different sizes of siding planks. The resilient element  721  can resiliently bias the first lip  704  toward the second lip  706  for enhancing the spring clip operation of the tool. 
   While the foregoing description is directed to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be determined by the claims that follow.

Technology Category: e