Disposable siding clip

Abstract

A siding clip for assistance in the installation of sidings. The clip comprises a hook about which the clip is to be hooked onto the top edge of a first siding panel which is already fastened to a substrate, a receptacle within which the bottom edge of a second siding panel is received. The receptacle lies below the hook so that the bottom portion of the second siding panel overlaps the top portion of the first siding panel. The clip further comprises a removal tab which when pulled downwards, the clip deforms and eventually unhooks itself from the first siding panel thus resulting in its removal; the tab is to be pulled after the second siding panel is fastened to the substrate.

Description

This application claims the priority date of provisional application No. 60/784,598, filed on Mar. 21, 2006.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

None

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates in general to tools and devices used in the installation of siding panels and more particularly to a disposable siding clip which aids in installing a new fiber cement siding panel over a previously-installed one by maintaining a uniform exposure/reveal throughout the installation.

Installation of siding is a lengthy and strenuous process, which requires physical stamina and time, particularly when ensuring that the exposure/reveal is uniform. Several devices are known in the art to aid in this process.

U.S. Pub. No. 20050262792 to Walda discloses a mounting clip designed to assist in positioning a first siding board over a second siding board overlappingly. The mounting clip comprises a hanger about which the mounting clip hangs on to the second siding board, and a shelf for receiving a first siding board in an overlapping fashion; the shelf extending from the bottom of the hanger. The mounting clip further comprises a removal tab attached underneath the shelf. The removal tab comprises a hole to which a hand tool can be coupled. The coupled hand tool when twisted and pulled downwards, the shelf portion of the mounting clip breaks away from the hanger portion, thereby making the mounting clip disposable. This clip is not self-sufficient, as it requires an additional means, the hand tool, for its disposability.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,160 to Rempe discloses a siding gauge tool for assistance in the installation of building sidings. The tool comprises an elongate base, an arm portion extending at a right angle from the elongate base, and a flange extending at a right angle from the arm portion and away from the elongate base. A clip member carried on the upper surface of the base extends towards the arm portion so as to define a gap therebetween. For use, one or more tools are coupled to the bottom edge of a new siding as enabled by the gap, after which the new siding is placed on a previously-installed siding such that the flange rests on top of the previously-installed siding. This arrangement ensures that the new siding overlaps the previously-installed siding. The new siding is fastened to the wall of a building once the it is positioned over the previously-installed siding, following which, the tool is removed by twisting and pulling down on the elongate base. The method of installation disclosed by this device would have been much easier if the tool were coupled to the top edge of a previously-installed siding rather than the bottom edge of the new siding.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,698,942 to Swartz discloses a clip for holding and spacing siding panels. The clip is to be fitted over a first lower siding panel. The clip comprises a shelf for receiving a second upper siding panel such that it overlaps the top portion of the first panel. Once the second panel is received, its top portion is fastened to the wall of a building following which, the clip is broken off at the shelf by exerting a downward force thereon. However, in this invention, most part of the clip remains trapped between the siding panels.

In the light of the above disclosed art, it is an object of the present invention to provide for a “self-sufficient”, disposable siding clip with a simplified method of deployment. Other objects of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the appended Summary, Description, and Claims.

SUMMARY

The present invention is a disposable siding clip for use in the installation of sidings on the wall of a building. The clip is mainly comprised of a hook, a receptacle, and a removal tab. The clip is to be hooked over a first siding panel by means of the hook; the first siding panel already fastened to a substrate. The bottom edge of a second siding panel is received within the receptacle. The hook and the receptacle are so relatively positioned that when the second siding panel is received within the receptacle, it overlaps the top portion of the first siding panel. The second siding panel is to be fastened to the substrate once it is received within the receptacle.

The clip further comprises a plurality of fracture points, which ensures that the clip deforms and eventually unhooks itself from the first siding panel as the removal tab is pulled downwards; the removal tab is to be pulled after the second siding panel is secured to the substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a side view of the disposable siding clip in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the disposable siding clip in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the disposable siding clip in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the disposable siding clip in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a first perspective view of the disposable siding clip in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a second perspective view of the disposable siding clip in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the hook in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the disposable siding clip in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the disposable siding clip excluding the hook and the removal tab in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the disposable siding clip excluding the hook and the removal tab in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the removal tab in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the removal tab in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 13 through 15 depict the sequential operations involved in using the disposable siding clip in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURES—REFERENCE NUMERALS

• 10 . . . Disposable Siding Clip
• 12 . . . Hook
• 14 . . . Removal Tab
• 16 . . . Vertical First Panel of the Hook
• 18 . . . Vertical Second Panel of the Hook
• 20 . . . Intermediate Panel
• 22 . . . Horizontal Surface of the Intermediate Panel
• 24 . . . Oblique Surface of the Intermediate Panel
• 26 . . . Rib
• 28 . . . Vertical Panel
• 30 . . . Horizontal Panel
• 32 . . . Vertical Side
• 34 . . . Supporting Member
• 36 . . . Peak Point
• 38 . . . First Fracture Point
• 40 . . . Second Fracture Point
• 42 . . . First Siding Panel
• 44 . . . Second Siding Panel

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a disposable siding clip is illustrated and generally indicated as 10 in FIGS. 1 through 15. The clip is used in installation of siding on the wall of a building. Further, the clip enables a user to maintain a uniform exposure/reveal throughout the installation.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, the clip 10 comprises a hook 12 about which the clip 10 is to be hooked on top of a first siding panel which is already fastened to a substrate, a receptacle for receiving a second siding panel, which is to be installed over the first siding panel in an overlapping fashion, and a removal tab 14 which is when pulled downwards the clip 10 deforms and eventually unhooks itself from the first siding panel; the tab 14 is to be pulled after the second siding panel is firmly fastened to the substrate.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the hook 12 is defined by a vertical first panel 16, a vertical second panel 18, and an intermediate panel 20 connecting the top edges of the first and second panels 16 & 18. The first panel 16 is tapered, triangular in shape, and stays concealed behind the first siding panel when hooked thereon. The intermediate panel comprises exterior and interior surfaces. The exterior surface of the intermediate panel 20 slopes as the top edges of the first and second panels 16 & 18 are not at the same level. More particularly, the top edge of the first panel 16 is at a lower level when compared to that of the second panel 18. The interior surface of the intermediate panel 20, which abuts the top edge of the first siding panel, can be divided into a horizontal surface 22 and an oblique surface 24, wherein the horizontal surface 22 is connected to the first panel 16 and the oblique surface 24 connects the horizontal surface 22 and the second panel 18.

Still referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the hook 12 further comprises a rib 26 which is a flat rectangular strip. The rib 26 extends from the horizontal surface 22 of the intermediate panel 20 and connects the oppositely located second panel 18 such that its surfaces are perpendicular to the ground.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, 8, and 9, the receptacle comprises a ‘U’-section defined by a vertical panel 28 extending from the bottom edge of the second panel 18 of the hook 12, the vertical panel 28 comprising interior and exterior surfaces, a horizontal panel 30 extending from the exterior surface of the vertical panel 28, and a vertical side 32 of a supporting member 34 disposed on the horizontal panel 30. The exterior surface of the vertical panel 28 is flat whereas the interior surface is uniformly sloped away from the exterior surface from its top edge till a peak point 36 from where it uniformly slopes towards the exterior surface till its bottom edge; the peak point 36 located below the horizontal panel 30.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the supporting member 34 resembles a right-angled triangle with a portion of the horizontal panel 30 being its base. The portion of the supporting member 34 other than the vertical side 32 and the base is thinner than the rest of the clip 10. The thinner section of the supporting member 34 is flat and is connected to the base and the vertical side 32 centrally. The top portion of the vertical side 32 is curved away from the exterior surface of the vertical panel 28.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, 11, and 12, the removal tab 14 comprises a curved panel, one end of which is attached to the end of the horizontal panel 30. The other end of the removal tab 14 connects at the bottom of the vertical panel 28. The portion of the removal tab 14 which connects at the bottom of the vertical panel 28 is thicker than the rest of the removal tab 14. The removal tab 14 is curved so as to form a loop for allowing the finger of a user therethrough for subsequently pulling down on the removal tab 14. The juncture where the removal tab 14 connects the horizontal panel 30 comprises a first fracture point 38. More particularly, the first fracture point 38 is disposed inside the loop formed by the removal tab 14. Also, and the point where the removal tab 14 connects the vertical panel 28 serves as a second fracture point 40 as seen in FIGS. 1 through 6.

Referring to FIGS. 13 through 15, in order to install the second siding panel 44 over the first 42, one or more clips 10 are hooked, preferably equidistantly, over the top edge of the first siding panel 42, which is already fastened to the substrate. The second siding panel 44 is received within the receptacles so that it overlaps the top portion of the first siding panel 42. Once received, the second siding panel 44 is to be fastened to the substrate after which, the removal tab 14 is pulled downwards by placing the finger of user through the loop. When the removal tab 14 is pulled, the clip 10 deforms about the fracture points 38 & 40 and eventually unhooks itself from the first siding panel 42 thereby accomplishing the purpose of the invention.

All features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.

Claims

1. A disposable clip to assist in siding installation, the clip comprising:

(a) a hooking means to be hooked onto the top edge of a first siding panel;

(b) a receptacle within which the bottom edge of a second siding panel is received, the receptacle lying below the hook so that the bottom portion of the second siding panel overlaps the top portion of the first siding panel; and

(c) a removal tab which when pulled downwards, the clip deforms and eventually unhooks itself from the first siding panel thus resulting in its removal; the tab to be pulled after the second siding panel is fastened to the substrate.

2. The clip of claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises a ‘U’-section defined by a vertical member comprising interior and exterior surfaces, the vertical member extending from the hook downwardly, a horizontal member connected to the exterior surface of the vertical member, and a vertical supporting member, the supporting member disposed on the horizontal member.

3. The clip of claim 2, wherein the exterior surface of the vertical member is flat.

4. The clip of claim 2, wherein the supporting member further comprises a support for the supporting member.

5. The clip of claim 2, wherein the removal tab extends from the end of the horizontal member and connects under the vertical member.

6. The clip of claim 5, wherein the removal tab is curved so as to form a loop by which the removal tab is to be pulled downwards.

7. The clip of claim 5, wherein the junction between the removal tab and the vertical member serves as a fracture point; the clip deforms about the fracture point when pulled about the removal tab.

8. The clip of claim 5, wherein the junction where the removal tab connects to the horizontal member comprises a fracture point; the clip deforms about the fracture point when pulled about the removal tab.

9. The clip of claim 8, wherein the fracture point is located on the interior surface of the junction.

10. The clip of claim 5, wherein the portion of the removal tab which connects to the vertical member is thicker than the rest of the removal tab.

11. The clip of claim 2, wherein the top portion of the vertical side of the supporting member is curved away from the exterior surface of the vertical member.

12. The clip of claim 2, wherein the width of the supporting member other than its vertical side is thinner than the rest of the clip.

13. The clip of claim 12 wherein the thinner section of the supporting member is connected to its vertical side centrally.

14. The clip of claim 2, wherein the interior surface of the vertical member is uniformly sloped away from the exterior surface from the top of the hook till a peak point from which the interior side is uniformly sloped towards the exterior surface; the interior surface of the hook to abut the first siding panel when the clip is hooked thereon.

15. The clip of claim 14 wherein the peak point is located below the horizontal member.

16. The clip of claim 14 wherein the angle of the interior surface sloping away from the exterior surface is lesser than that of the interior surface sloping towards the exterior surface.

17. The clip of claim 2, wherein the hook comprises:

(a) a vertical first member;

(b) a vertical second member from which the vertical member of the receptacle extends; and

(c) an intermediate member connecting the first and second members; the interior surface of the intermediate member divided into a horizontal surface connected to the first member and an oblique surface connecting the horizontal surface and the second member.

18. The clip of claim 17 wherein the top edge of the first member lies below the level of the top edge of the second member.

19. The clip of claim 17 wherein the hook further comprises a rib which extends from the interior horizontal surface of the intermediate member centrally and connects the oppositely located second member.

20. The clip of claim 19 wherein the rib is a flat rectangular strip.

21. The clip of claim 20, wherein the rib connects the second member such that the surfaces of the rib are perpendicular to the ground.

22. The clip of claim 1 being a unitary piece.