Abstract: Elongated siding panels formed from plastic have integral joint portions along their side edges which are adapted to fit together and interlock when the panels are mounted on a building wall in overlapping relation. A flange adjacent the top edge of the panels extends outwardly and downwardly to define a channel open at its bottom, and an upwardly directed lip on the bottom edge of the panels is adapted to project into and interlock with the channel on a panel mounted therebelow on a building wall. A plurality of inwardly directed protrusions, or dimples, are formed on the upwardly directed lip to provide an interference fit with entrance to the channel.

Abstract: A wall construction for use as an outer wall, a roof or the like in an architectural structure is disclosed which is capable of effectively accomplishing sound absorption and insulation and heat insulation. The wall construction includes a first coat member of sound absorbing and heat insulating properties disposed on a base member and a sheathing member of sound and heat insulating properties spaced through a support member from the first coat member to define a space therebetween.

Abstract: A panel assembly for the in-situ production of a standing seam roof has panels which, at one end, have a vertically standing hook formed atop a semi-trapezoidal fold, while at an opposite end, a vertically standing hook is formed atop and is part of a substantially trapezoidal fold. The first hook is designed to be simply and securely retained within the second hook through the use of a camming interlocking action and the free edge of the second end is upwardly bent so as to rest against the semi-trapezoidal fold of a like panel joined to said end to form a series of interconnected panels that are mounted to roof purlins by fasteners hidden by the standing seam. In a roof requiring plural parallel series of panels, upper and lower clamping bars are provided to form a tight, leak-proof lap joint between the adjacent panel series in a manner avoiding the need for the use of exposed fasteners which must extend through exposed roof portions.

Abstract: A method of removing and reinstalling metal siding on buildings utilizes a novel clamping strip in repositioning and attaching a section of metal siding that has been cut longitudinally from the building to provide access for the drilling of holes for the injection therethrough of blown insulation.

Abstract: For use with horizontal siding panels each having complementary first and second locking means respectively formed along their top and bottom margins for interlocking vertically adjacent courses of panels in overlapping array, a system and method for mounting, on a wall, a panel interposed between already-mounted upper and lower courses which are vertically spaced by a distance less than the height of the interposed panel. The system includes clip means for securing the second locking means of the upper-course panels to the wall while permitting upward insertion of the first locking means of the interposed panel, behind the upper-course panels, to a level above that at which the second locking means of the upper-course panels would interlock therewith, and retaining means for securing the first locking means of the interposed panel to the wall at that level.

Abstract: Solar siding elements of very thin, high heat conductive sheet material are installed on the outer face of an exterior side wall of a building so as to form thereon a solar cover providing a plurality of passages between its inner face and the outer surface of the building wall. Air is caused to flow, by forced draft or convection, through the passages in intimate heat exchange contact with the interior surface of the solar cover, and thereby become heated. The air is constrained to enter the passages through an inlet manifold and to be discharged from the passages through an outlet manifold. For heating the building, the heated air from the outlet manifold may be discharged into the building, or into a heat sink for storing the solar generated heat, and increasing the air temperature before discharging the air into the building.

Abstract: A profiled insulating underboard for insulating and aligning metal or plastic siding panels is disclosed. The underboard is formed from a suitable insulating material into a sheet having one substantially flat planar surface and an opposed surface with a configuration or profile which corresponds to the inner contour or profile of the siding panel so that it will fit snugly against the inner surface of the siding when installed. Each sheet of underboard, which is received against the exterior wall surface of a building, has a series of integral projections spaced along one longitudinal edge surface so that adjacent sheets are automatically spaced from each other to permit ventilation and help prevent moisture build up once the underboard and the siding have been fixed to the exterior surface of the building.

Abstract: A roofing shingle assembly having solar capabilities comprising a flat main portion having upper and lower surfaces, and curved segments integral with the upper and lower edges of said shingle. The roofing shingles are mounted in overlapping parallel array with the curved segments interconnected to define a fluid conduit enclosure. Mounting brackets for the shingles are secured on the roof rafters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular roofing system having a plurality of tray modules wherein each module is capable of accommodating one or more solar collectors. Each adjacent or adjacent groups of modules are connected to each other and there is provided support means for supporting the plurality of tray modules.

Abstract: A preformed structural member that includes an elongated web having first and second flanges projecting laterally from its two longitudinal edges. Each of the flanges is of different construction, however, the flanges of two or more members can be interlocked to form either a right angle corner sections or continuous flooring or ceiling sections. Similarly, the member can be easily snapped into operative relationship with flat panels to create a self-standing sub-assembly possessing sufficient holding power to temporarily support the cojoined components until such time as they can be more securely locked together in final assembly.

Abstract: A building siding panel in combination with a backer board panel which has a top beveled edge and an identically beveled bottom edge. The result of employment of a beveled edge backer board insulating panel is easier installation; the backer board panel provides complete support for the rear facing surface of the building siding along its entire rearward face; the insulating effect is superior; and lessening of installation costs since time of assembly is significantly decreased.

Abstract: A horizontally elongated sheet metal siding panel simulating the appearance of a row of shake-type wooden shingles is produced by forming, in the panel, alternating raised and depressed shingle-simulating portions having surfaces lying in spaced parallel planes and separated by narrow portions that taper upwardly as viewed in projection in the surface planes of the shingle-simulating portions.

Abstract: A self-interlocking standing seam for a building panel. The panel includes a male element on one lateral edge and a female element on the other lateral edge. The male element is wedged into a channel on the female element and is locked in place by a skirt on the female element. A fastener can be located on the panel lateral edge having either the male or female element thereon for securing the panel to a building element, such as a purlin.

Abstract: An interlocking siding or roofing strip or slat assembly for covering the surface of a building which may be susceptible of being crushed or deformed by the application of excessive force to a fastening element such as a nail. The slat assembly includes a fastening tab, a panel, an anchoring configuration intermediate the panel and the fastening tab and a hook-like configuration integral with the bottom of the panel for operatively engaging the anchoring configuration of a previously-installed slat assembly for interlocking them one above the other in a partially overlapping manner.

Abstract: An integrally formed, interlocking siding or roofing strip assembly for covering a surface of a building. The strip includes a central panel, a lower spacing element, an upper assembly for operatively engaging the lower spacing element of another strip to be installed so as to interlock the strips in a partially overlapping manner, one above the other. The top end portion of the strip is provided with a plurality of generally vertically aligned corrugations having alternate ridge and valley portions. Fastening elements penetrate some of the valley and/or ridge portions to securely anchor the strips to the building surface. The corrugations serve (1) to compensate for expansions and contractions caused by aging and/or weather variations and (2) to continually bias the fastening elements to tightly anchor the strip to the surface in a spring-like manner thereby preventing the strips from becoming loose and eliminating noise and rattling.

Abstract: A panel assembly comprised of two or more pre-formed panel members securely joined operatively with each other without utilizing separate fastening means. The panels employed utilize pre-formed snap locking means provided along margins thereof to effect interconnection of adjacent panels to each other or to a pre-formed connecting member interposed therebetween. The panel assembly may be incorporated into roof, ceiling and wall constructions, which may include integral corner joints depending upon structural requirements. Tools to assist in assembling panels into an integral assembly also are disclosed. The procedure of hook and snap-lock assembling a panel structure may be performed by hand; by utilizing the assistance of tools disclosed; or by utilizing other mechanical aids.

Abstract: A starter strip and siding strip combination comprises a siding strip of the kind having a hooked lower edge. The starter strip consists of an upper nailing portion having a downwardly-outwardly-extending main flange projecting from its front face and a return retainer flange extending horizontally from the main flange toward the front face, the free end tip of the return flange being rounded. The hooked lower edge of the first siding strip can be engaged with the flanges while in a horizontal orientation, in which the siding strip floats freely and can easily be moved sideways for adjustment. The siding strip can then be rotated into the vertical position against the associated structure and nailed thereto, without the possibility of disengagement from the starter strip, either during installation or during subsequent expansion and contraction of the siding by daily and seasonal temperature changes.

Abstract: A backerboard for use in conjunction with a siding panel of the type having longitudinally disposed walls connected by a longitudinal step and wherein the siding panel is normally fastened to the external wall sheathing of a building. The backerboard is adapted to be disposed between the inner surfaces of the siding panel walls and the exterior of the building sheathing. The backerboard is fabricated from two polystyrene foam plastic members that are disposed with respect to each other so as to have overlapping portions that are bonded to one another by a suitable adhesive such that the longitudinal side edge of one of the members adjacent the overlapping portions is contoured to snugly abut the step of the siding panel when the backerboard is positioned against the same. A method for manufacturing the backerboard is disclosed.

Abstract: A simulated cedar shake panel for walls or roofs having at least two courses of simulated shakes in relief therein, the shakes being in overlapped and underlapped relation with a varied butt line, and recessed underlaps between side-by-side shakes. Part of each underlap is recessed enough to contact the roof or wall surface and provide a multiplicity of support surfaces for the panel. A step provided in each underlap near the bottom thereof forms part of the shake simulation and also adds to the structural rigidity of the panel.Tongue and groove side-to-side and top-to-bottom panel interlocks form part of the shake array simulation, so that the interlock structure is concealed and the desired non-uniform shake appearance enhanced.A stackable corner member one shake high is provided, the corner member having a skirt element which interfits with the butt edges of overlapped panel shakes to take up gaps due to the random butt line.An angled cap member is provided to finish off hips and ridges.

Abstract: An insulated siding panel assembly comprises an elongated outer panel of sheet material supported to resist deformation thereof by an elongated synthetic resin backing member disposed therebehind. The backing member has at least one reinforcing rib projecting away from the outer panel and configured to abut a vertical support surface when the panel assembly is mounted thereon, preferably in an overlapping clapboard configuration. The outer panel and backing member may each comprise two offset parallel body portions so that each panel assembly presents a double clapboard configuration, and each body portion of the backing member then has a rib to provide support. The siding panels may be mounted upon transversely extending stringers which in turn are mounted upon a support surface. The backing members are desirably closed cell foamed structures.

Abstract: A joint support is adapted to be disposed beneath a joint at adjacent ends of horizontally disposed overlapping siding panels to support same and to assist in preventing the formation of a gap at said joint by virtue of inward buckling or deflection of one of the panels relative to the other. The joint support, as seen in a cross-section view taken at right angles to the longitudinal dimension of the panels in the installed condition has a wedge taper and has minimum thickness adjacent a first end which, in use, is uppermost. The opposite end of the joint support is contoured or shaped to overlie and accommodate the panel holding lip of a preceding lower panel. The first end of the joint support has an outwardly and downwardly turned portion adapted to fit over the panel holding lip or lips of the panels which the joint support, in use, underlies and the opposite end of the joint support includes shallow hook means thereon for snap fitting engagement over the holding lip of the preceding lower panel.

Abstract: A metal roof unit including a backing, a heat insulating material, and a surface metal plate, which can be produced by roll forming, press forming or extrusion forming on a mass-production basis in factories and can be used for roofing without special skill by expert roofers. In order to unite the metal roof units there are provided joint members which can be produced of light metal such as aluminum by roll forming, press forming or extrusion forming. The joint members are provided with a series of slits from which nails are driven through notches provided at each ends of said metal roof units into a rafter which is provided under said metal roof units, and said slits and notches have sufficient allowance in order to make the joint members and metal roof units movable by heat expansion due to sun heat.

Abstract: A roofing strip capable of perfectly preventing permeation of rain water due to the phenomenon of capillary attraction is disclosed, which roofing strip has as its salient feature the profile of an oblong iron sheet wherein the upper edge X thereof is shaped into four-fold upward bends 1, 2 and 3, the bend 1 contains a semicircular arching ridge 4, the portion of the sheet extending from the bend 1 toward the lower edge Y is bent at a position close to the lower edge Y to form an upward inclination 5 at an angle of about 160.degree.