Abstract: A splicing member for joining horizontally adjacent and abutting siding panels installed on a structure has a declination being substantially planar and extending downwardly and slightly outwardly, a top lock, and a bottom lock. In certain preferred embodiments, the top lock is a flange connected to an upper edge of the declination forming a downwardly opening U-shaped channel which receives a portion of horizontally adjacent siding panels to which the splicing member is attached. In certain preferred embodiments, the bottom lock is a shoulder extending inwardly and substantially horizontally from a lower edge of the declination. When installed, the splicing member is positioned behind two horizontally adjacent and abutting siding panels and a fastener or weld rigidly secures the siding panels and the splicing member to one another. A splicing member having multiple declinations to fixedly secure horizontally adjacent siding panels to one another and having multiple declinations is also disclosed.

Abstract: A clip for a siding panel includes a planar sheet of material, a first leg, and a second leg. The first leg extends outwardly from the planar sheet, and bends downwardly and inwardly toward the planar sheet to form a U-shaped flange defining a channel opening toward the planar sheet. The second leg extends outwardly from the sheet at a position below the first leg. The first leg is configured to mate with a channel nailing hem of a siding panel. The second leg is configured to mate with a channel formed in a top lock of the siding panel. In some preferred embodiments, another first leg is spaced apart from the first leg, with the second leg being positioned between the two first legs.

Abstract: A hybrid fence system includes partial post and rail wrap components and a plurality of uprights, all formed of durable resilient plastic material. The wrap components partially cover existing wood rails and posts. The plastic uprights takes the place of conventional wood uprights, e.g., tongue and groove boards. Three of the four sides of the wood posts are completely covered by the partial post wraps. One face of the posts will remain exposed along a gap of the wrap component, thus allowing the rails to be secured directly to the wood post. The rail wraps are wrapped around the rails in a fashion similar to the post wraps, such that a gap is formed between free longitudinal edges of the wrap, leaving a corresponding area of exposed wood on each rail which allows for attachment of the uprights directly to the rails. The uprights have a generally tubular configuration including opposed longitudinal edges forming a tongue and a groove, respectively. The tongue includes a fastening tab.

Abstract: Tubular components for use in modular fencing systems are manufactured utilizing die-forming of a flat plastic sheet, rather than by profile extrusion of a tubular form. This approach is made feasible by an aesthetically acceptable and structurally sound longitudinal edge joint configuration. The joint is formed by cooperating clip members formed along opposing longitudinal edges of the sheet. The clip members are interlocked with each other in overlapping relation following the die-forming operations. The clip members are substantially concealed by peripheral side portions of the component that are held in closely spaced or abutted relation. Structural integrity is assured by staking overlapping portions of the clip members to each other at longitudinally spaced locations. This can be accomplished with a thin circular blade having teeth that rotate to pass between the peripheral side portions and to press against and deform the overlapping portions, one into the other.

Abstract: Siding panel for installation on the walls, soffits or other exposed surfaces of a structure having a nailing hem folded back upon itself to form a lateral edge of the siding panel and terminating in a first lip projecting outwardly from the front side of the siding panel and away from the lateral edge. A U-shaped channel is formed on the front side of the siding panel and is connected to the nailing hem. A U-shaped projection extends along the siding panel and terminates in a second lip projecting away from the back of the siding panel and the U-shaped projection. The U-shaped channel receives a U-shaped projection of an adjacent panel and the first lip engages and interlocks with the second lip of the adjacent panel.

Abstract: Wall siding for installation on the walls of a structure comprising a plurality of panels, each comprising a nailing hem, a flange member, upper and lower declinations being substantially planar and extending downwardly and slightly outwardly from the nailing hem, and a downwardly opening U-shaped channel formed between and interconnecting the flange member and the upper declination. Upper and lower shoulders extend inwardly and substantially horizontally from lower edges of the upper and lower shoulders, respectively. A lip extends upwardly and curves slightly outwardly from an innermost edge of the lower shoulder. An inverted U-shaped projection extends substantially along the length of the upper shoulder and a slot extends from a vertical edge of the siding panel along a portion of the upper shoulder.

Abstract: A plastic siding panel which includes an upper connector, a medial main portion, and a lower connector. The connectors are complementary in shape so that they interlock with other siding panels of like construction. At least one of the connectors include a strip of high strength material for rigidifying the siding panel. The siding panels are fabricated by extruding a monolithic, substantially planar sheet composed of three different materials. Two of the materials are formed as layers which extend over the entire sheet. The third material is a high strength material adapted to rigidify the siding panel. After extrusion, the sheet is formed into a siding panel having a main portion, an upper connection and a lower connection.

Abstract: A process for producing steel wire for tire cord includes providing a brass coating on the wire containing from about 54 to about 65% copper and from about 46 to about 35% zinc. The weight of the coating is within the range of from about 2.5 to about 13.0 grams per kilogram of wire. The coated wire is heated at a temperature of at least about 650.degree. F. for a time sufficient to reduce the hardness of the coating to a range of 40 to 70 Rockwell B. The heat treated wire is then cold reduced to final thickness. The wire subjected to this treatment has significantly improved drawability and greater coating continuity. In another aspect, an improved steel wire product for tire cord applications is provided when the brass coating contains from about 54 to about 62% copper and from about 46 to about 38% zinc and the coating weight is within the range of from about 7.0 to about 13.0 grams per kilogram of wire.