Abstract: An improved insulated vinyl siding system for houses and other buildings is disclosed. A sheet of foam insulation is disposed and held in place in the back of the siding panels in such a way to leave two air spaces, one between the insulation and the siding panel and the second between the insulation and the house surface. Openings are provided in the siding panels and act in cooperation with openings in the house to allow escape of trapped moistured air from the second air space.

Abstract: Trim components for siding construction are disclosed. The principal trim component is a trim strip having a J-shaped channel and a smaller adjacent C-shaped channel opening substantially perpendicular to each other. Two of these trim strips together with a corner cap form an outside corner assembly. The unique trim strip also has unique uses for covering soffits and window and door trim.

Abstract: An apparatus for compacting powder material into a mold cavity formed at least between an upper and a lower reciprocally movable punch. The lower punch reciprocates in the center bore of a die and has an end face defining a portion of the mold cavity. The upper punch is reciprocable so as to be placed over the die bore and has an end face defining another portion of the mold cavity. The upper punch end face is coated with, or made of, an elastomeric material. The upper face of the lower punch may be flat or contoured. The compaction of the powder material in the mold cavity is accomplished by the upward movement of the lower punch which forces the powder material to conform to the configuration of the mold cavity. After compaction, the upper punch is withdrawn and the compacted product is ejected.

Abstract: A press apparatus for compacting powder material into generally spherical articles by way of a tooling arrangement comprising a die having a bore, a punch having an upper face defining a generally hemispherical cavity reciprocably movable along the axis of the die bore and a counterpunch positionable over the opening of the die bore. The lower face of the counterpunch defines a generally hemispherical cavity of the same diameter as the generally hemispherical cavity defined by the face of the punch. The generally hemispherical cavities are in alignment with each other and define a spherical mold cavity. During the compacting step, the counterpunch is positioned with its lower face abutting the upper surface of the die plate and compaction of the powder material is achieved entirely by movement of the punch in an upward direction.

Abstract: A unitary punch and die assembly for tooling a powder material compacting apparatus, or press, the assembly comprising a die plate mounted in the press table, which removably holds a die bushing clamped in position by a threaded retainer provided with a peripheral thread of the buttress type, and a punch removably supported in a punch holder plate actuatable along guideposts supported by the die plate. A second plate slidably mounted in the guideposts and reciprocated by the press ram is rigidly interconnected with the punch support plate for reciprocation thereof. For compacting articles such as toroidal articles, cylinders, and the like, a core rod supported by an appropriate support plate adjustably fastened on the guide posts projects through a longitudinal bore provided in the punch and punch support plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for compressing powder material into at least partially spherical articles, comprising a die and upper and lower reciprocally movable punches. The die has a center bore through which the lower punch is reciprocable. The wall at the upper part of the die bore is enlarged to form a spherical zone portion of a hemispherical cavity. The end face of the lower punch has a concave shape to form a segment of the hemispherical cavity when the face of the lower punch is flush with the die cavity wall. The lower face of the upper punch defines a hemispherical cavity which mates with the hemispherical cavity of the die. In operation, the bore and die cavity are charged with powder material and the upper punch is brought into engagement with the die. A compaction stroke by the lower punch then forces the powder material into the spherical cavity. The upper punch is then withdrawn and the compacted spherical article is removed from the die.