Edge-embracing Patents (Class 52/547)
  • Patent number: 7441382
    Abstract: A clip for siding panels installed on a wall of a structure includes a substantially planar nailing face and a seat extending from a bottom edge of the nailing face disposed to receive the bottom edge of an overlapping siding panel. A hook member extends from a top edge of the nailing face and is disposed to hang the clip from a top edge of a siding panel overlapped by the overlapping siding panel. The nailing face is sized to provide a partial overlap of the overlapped siding panel by the overlapping siding panel when the clip is attached to the overlapped siding panel by the hook member and the overlapping siding panel is seated in the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Certainteed Corporation
    Inventors: David Herbert Beck, Rick James Morse
  • Patent number: 7281359
    Abstract: A spacer is provided for use in a standing seam roof system in which roof panels are provided having a base portion and upstanding side flanges along opposed longitudinal sides of the panel. The panels are installed sequentially along roof purlins in a working direction. Occasionally a portion of each panel being installed trails in the working direction in relation to the remainder of the panel. A spacer element is provided with a hook for being suspended in the seam between upstanding side flanges of adjacent panels to advance the trailing portion of the panels and thereby straighten the panels of the roof system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventor: Joe Marshall
  • Patent number: 7246474
    Abstract: A metal shingle system which is resistant to leakage, even under severe weather conditions. The key attribute of the new system to the design of the side edge of the shingle such that water that seeps between adjacent shingles cannot be blown upward. Briefly, the top edge is overturned and the bottom edge is underturned such that they can be interconnected as is well known in the art. One side edge is folded to form a gutter area into which water that seeps between laterally adjacent shingles is collected and drained onto the lower row of shingles. The top of the gutter area is blocked by the overturned top edge, which extends into the gutter region. Also disclosed is an improved tool for cutting the shingles, such as is needed around obstructions and at the end of the roofline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventors: Gerald M. Dombek, Roger L. Kramer, Jeffrey L. Widenor, Nicholas L. Allen, Joseph R. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 7228665
    Abstract: A wall covering for a pair of wall surfaces that form a corner. The wall covering includes (1) plurality of wall panels each having a plurality of horizontal tiers of simulated building elements and (2) a plurality of corner moldings each having a single tier of building elements. The corner moldings each have mounting flanges and an interlock and alignment pin that facilitate adjustable positioning of the corner molding with a selected tier of building elements of an adjacent wall panel. The corner molding mounting flanges and building elements further define relatively deep wall panel receiving pockets for positively retaining the side of an adjacent wall panel and forming a water barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Nailite International, Inc.
    Inventor: John Perry
  • Patent number: 7225592
    Abstract: An improved siding clip includes a planar sheet having a lower fold section having a lower end and an upper generally triangular securement section including at least one fastener hole formed therein. The lower fold section includes a generally upright upper section generally adjacent the upper triangular securement section, and a siding edge receiving and retaining structure is mounted on the upper section of the lower fold section which includes a generally L-shaped wall extending rearwards and downwards from the upper section and a plate spring mounted adjacent the generally L-shaped wall operative to bias the siding clip upwards relative to the siding section held within the generally L-shaped wall to frictionally secure the siding clip on the siding section. The lower fold section is bent forwardly, then downwardly and then rearwardly to form a general ā€œCā€-shape channel operative to receive and retain a siding portion therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Inventor: Scott A. Davis
  • Patent number: 6952901
    Abstract: An exterior weather shielding panel assembly for fitting against an external side wall of a building, comprising a rigid back board for anchoring engagement with the building side wall, a waterproofing membrane applied against the back board, an air ventilating screen applied against the waterproofing membrane opposite the back board, and a plurality of shingles disposed against the screen outer face in slopewisely cascading fashion. Nails concealed by the overlapping sections of upper rows of shingles fixedly anchor the panel assembly components to the residential building side wall. The panel assembly is manufactured in factory before installation on the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Les Industries Maibec Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Jacques, Raynald Mercier, Germain Morin
  • Patent number: 6904730
    Abstract: A roof panel clip that extends ten feet in length rather than the usual prior art one to two inches, enabling the clip to span the distance between two purlins to support roof panels over these distances. The extended length of the clip enables it to provide greater strength against uplift loads than that which was possible with the older narrower clips and this continuous clip can be installed more quickly than a series of the ususal smaller clips used to cover the same span.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Inventor: James Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6843032
    Abstract: The present invention provides a siding boards attachment structure having excellent ventilation characteristics and a high structural strength and a starter fitting used therewith. The siding boards attachment structure includes a starter fitting for supporting a siding board in the lowest portion, a ground sill flashing disposed in a lower portion of the siding board in the lowest portion, a furring strip for fixing the starter fitting, and the siding board supported by the starter fitting. The starter fitting includes a base plate portion having a planar rear side surface that is configured to be fixed to the furring strip, a supporting portion for supporting siding boards bent forward from the base plate portion, and spacing portions formed at left and right end portions of the base plate portion to have the cross sectional shape of a squarish letter U.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Nichiha Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Hikai
  • Publication number: 20040237443
    Abstract: A series of brackets that are inexpensively cut and bent from sheet metal in a stamping process, and are used as an aid in construction projects. The brackets are designed for support and alignment of wall panels; wallboards or lap boards while the same are being positioned for attachment to the structure. These fixtures are configured to align with the support structure, automatically aligning the wall panel, wallboards, or lap boards to be attached, and continuing to support and align the boards during and after attachment. The brackets are inexpensive to manufacture and can remain on the structure, thereby providing continual support and alignment. Ledge portions with bent up outer corner points engage and support the wall members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Christopher Haley, Jim Alfonso
  • Publication number: 20030145548
    Abstract: A roof panel clip that extends ten feet in length rather than the usual prior art one to two inches, enabling the clip to span the distance between two purlins to support roof panels over these distances. The extended length of the clip enables it to provide greater strength against uplift loads than that which was possible with the older narrower clips and this continuous clip can be installed more quickly than a series of the ususal smaller clips used to cover the same span.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: James Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6598362
    Abstract: The present invention provides a siding boards attachment structure having excellent ventilation characteristics and a high siding-board fixing strength, and a fastening member to be used therewith. The fastening member is disposed to span an upper horizontal edge of a lower siding board and a lower horizontal edge of an upper siding board, and fixes the siding boards to a framework of a building. The fastening member includes a base plate portion having a flat rear side surface, a support portion projecting forward from the base plate portion, an upper-board engagement portion bent upward from the support portion, a lower-board engagement portion bent downward from the support portion, and spacing portions individually formed at left and right sides of the base plate portion, each of the spacing portions having a front face which is forward from the base plate portion and rearward from the front end of the support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Nichiha Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Hikai
  • Patent number: 6499261
    Abstract: A fastening sealing member configured to fasten siding boards to a building framework, including a base plate portion having a flat rear surface, spacing portions at left and right ends of the base plate portion, each of which has a front face forward from the base plate portion, a central horizontally rising plate portion projecting forwardly in the horizontal direction from the base plate portion, a central front plate portion in the vertical direction at a front end of the central horizontally rising plate portion, supporting portions projecting forwardly in the horizontal direction from the base plate portion at left and right sides of the central horizontally rising plate portion, an upper-board engagement portion bent upwardly from the supporting portion, a lower-board engagement portion bent downwardly from the supporting portion, and a connecting portion in the vertical direction between the upper-board and lower-board engagement portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Nichiha Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Hikai
  • Patent number: 6474037
    Abstract: Retrofit connectors that secure together the outside sheathing and underlying structural members of wood-frame or masonry houses, preventing damage when subjected to lateral stresses from a hurricane, or transverse loads from an earthquake. The connectors have special bushings and bearing surfaces that tie the outside sheathing and underlying structural members together, but allow deflection, and transfer of energy to other structural members. Different embodiments of the connectors allow them to adapt to most wood-frame and masonry homes, and to most roof pitches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas C. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20020092256
    Abstract: A siding assembly and method of manufacture are disclosed. Each siding unit is a profile of a composite material which includes a thermoplastic polymer and a cellulosic fiber. The preferred siding unit has a tapered thickness and a convex face. Each siding unit is interconnected to adjacent siding units with a tongue and groove mechanism. The preferred siding profile has a plurality of webs, and the exposed portion of the siding has a capstock layer to improve weatherability. The exposed width of the siding's face may be adjustable. The siding units are interconnected end-to-end by inserts which are positioned by means of an adhesive or thermal welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: Andersen Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald L. Hendrickson, Kurt E. Heikkila, Timothy P. Murphy, Maurice N. Goeser
  • Patent number: 6408580
    Abstract: A siding system including an improved siding strip and a starter strip for assisting in attaching a first siding strip to a side of a dwelling or other stable mounting structure is provided. The siding strip includes at least one integral portion having the simulated appearance of grout or chinking. When two or more siding strips are placed adjacent to each other, this integral portion remains exposed such that the appearance of grout or chinking between the siding strips is simulated. The starter strip is provided with a C-shaped channel that receives a fastener portion or other part of a first siding strip in snap-fit engagement. As a result of this engagement, the starter strip may be inverted to begin installation of the siding strips at the top of a wall or other stable mounting structure while fully retaining its functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik K. Jurvis, Rochelle Gail Jurvis
  • Publication number: 20020056244
    Abstract: A section fixable in a mounted position to an anchoring base by means of fastening screws has at least one fastening segment extending in the mounted position substantially parallel to the anchoring base. The fastening segment is, for example, a fastening flange, which is provided with at least one screw hole for receiving a fastening screw provided with a slot or cross slot as the surface engaged by a screwdriver. A safety (or securing) tab protrudes from the fastening segment at least within the area of the screw hole. When the section is in its mounted position and after the fastening screw has been driven in, the safety tab can be deformed by bending or folding it into its safety or securing position. In this position, the tab grips over the edge of the screw head of the fastening screw and leaves free the surface engaged by the screwdriver. In an alternative embodiment of the section, a spring-elastic safety arrest is used instead of a bendable safety tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Applicant: Profil-Vertrieb GmbH
    Inventor: Theo Hertweck
  • Publication number: 20020050111
    Abstract: The present invention provides a siding boards attachment structure having excellent ventilation characteristics and a high siding-board fixing strength, and a fastening member to be used therewith. The fastening member is disposed to span an upper horizontal edge of a lower siding board and a lower horizontal edge of an upper siding board, and fixes the siding boards to a framework of a building. The fastening member includes a base plate portion having a flat rear side surface, a support portion projecting forward from the base plate portion, an upper-board engagement portion bent upward from the support portion, a lower-board engagement portion bent downward from the support portion, and spacing portions individually formed at left and right sides of the base plate portion, each of the spacing portions having a front face which is forward from the base plate portion and rearward from the front end of the support portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Applicant: NICHIHA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Satoshi Hikai
  • Publication number: 20020046536
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a fastening member which causes hardly any differences in fastening force of siding boards owing to differences in means for fixing the fittings to a building frame, an exterior wall construction structure using the same, a starter member, and further a method of attaching siding boards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: NICHIHA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ryuji Hotta
  • Patent number: 6367220
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Associated Materials, Incorporated
    Inventors: Walter M. Krause, Jack T. Mowery, Benjamin L. McGarry
  • Patent number: 6341464
    Abstract: A siding panel is provided for attachment to a structure and connection to a similar overlapping siding panel in interlocking relationship. The panel includes a strip for attachment, such as by nailing, to a supporting structure, a receiver formed by outer and inner bends, at least one stretch extending away from the strip and presenting a gap between the outer bend and the stretch, a base and a projection, all extending the length of the panel. The projection is configured to interfit with a receiver of an adjacent panel, with the projection including a flange, a return bend and a cantilever leg. The projection snap fits into the receiver, with the cantilever leg deflecting as the return bend flexes to permit passage of the projection into the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Variform, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric B. Dickey, Essi Salamatbakhsh, Lewis F. Huebner, Dan Parks
  • Patent number: 6336303
    Abstract: A siding panel and two methods of installing a wall covering made from injection molded materials and having positioning relief to facilitate installation. The siding panel includes a plurality of decorative elements formed with a top edge disposed above a row of decorative elements. Apertures are formed in the panel below the top edge and on the rear side of the siding panel. The panel includes a plurality of tabs, each narrower than the apertures to provide the positioning relief, which depend downward from the rear side, with the tabs being spaced in intervals corresponding to the apertures. The decorative elements are arranged in upper and lower rows which are offset to define relatively discontinuous side edges. The panel is formed from polypropylene, and the decorative elements comprise a simulated wood grain finish to be used as cedar shake shingles. The tab is about one half the width of each aperture, with the apertures being disposed through the siding panel at an angle extending downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Atlantis Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Vandeman, Timothy M. Sauer
  • Patent number: 6330772
    Abstract: The wall panel system of the present invention includes a flexible sheet interlock to flexibly seal a joint defined by adjacent perimeter framing members and a capillary break to inhibit the entry of water into drainage or weep holes in gutters in the perimeter framing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Elward Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Everett Lee Mitchell, Jed D. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6315489
    Abstract: A fastening member which comprises a substrate; a horizontal portion perpendicularly projected from the substrate; an upwardly inclined hook portion obliquely extended upward from a distal edge of the horizontal portion; a downwardly inclined hook portion obliquely extended downward from the distal edge of the horizontal portion; and a flat plate portion extended parallel with the substrate from a distal edge of the upwardly inclined hook portion and/or of the downwardly inclined hook portion. The substrate may be provided with an urging means for pressing the back surface of a siding board to prevent slipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Nichiha Corporation
    Inventor: Morimichi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6282858
    Abstract: An injection molded rigid roof panel system for constructing pitched roof structures of the type affixed directly to roof trusses or rafters and needing no structural or supporting sheathing surface or moisture barrier. Comprised of no less than (23) standard roof panel components of varying shapes, sizes, colors and exposed surfaces replicating conventional roofing surfaces. Panels overlap, underlap and interlock by means of an array of shoulders, locating ribs and clearance channels creating a unitized roof system utilizing integral seals at the seams, subsurface water channels and self sealing, threaded fasteners whose molded-in, counter-bored holes are further sealed by composite plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Andrew C. Swick
  • Publication number: 20010013211
    Abstract: A siding panel is formed of a one-piece enclosure delimiting an insulation chamber. An insulating material is disposed in the insulation chamber. The one-piece enclosure defines a male engagement section and a female engagement section, which are engageable with respective engagement sections of adjacent siding panels. In a siding panel system, the panels are thus interlockingly engaged in a stacked relationship. In forming the one-piece enclosure, a suitable plastic material or the like can be formed using a mandrel or other suitable forming tool, or the enclosure can be formed by extrusion or molding to form a seamless enclosure. The insulating material is blown in through a hole formed in an interior surface of the siding panel or through the sides and is selected to obtain a desired R-value for the siding panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventor: EDWARD P. RUDDEN
  • Patent number: 6134855
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for applying building panels, such as siding panels, to building surfaces, such as walls. The panels are of a type which undergo expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature, and they are applied to a building surface, such as a wall, by means of nails, screws, staples or the like. In order to accommodate the expansion and contraction of the panels, the panels are provided with an attachment hem, such as a strip of relatively flexible material, generally rubber-like or fabric-like in nature. A strip of relatively flexible material may be secured to the relatively rigid building panel by any suitable means, such as adhesive securement, welding, heat fusing, etc., such that it becomes an integral part of the building panel, or the relatively flexible attachment hem may comprise a separate component which, when applied to a building surface, such as a wall or the like, by a suitable nailing, stapling, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: CertainTeed Corporation
    Inventor: David H. Beck
  • Patent number: 6125592
    Abstract: A two-part fastening mechanism employing (1) a continuous metal strip having attachment slots whose axes are oriented parallel to the length of the strip, and (2) a single preformed metal connector piece having a longitudinally-oriented hook for gripping one end of a tile and a stem portion insertable into one of the slots in the metal fastening strip and bendable over the slot and back upon itself for retaining the connector piece attached to the continuous metal strip. When installed, the fastening mechanism holds each tile in two places: at a first end via the hook, and at an opening in the tile where the connector piece passes through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Newport Fastner Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Hickey, James E. Lee, Robert Ward
  • Patent number: 6119415
    Abstract: A solar energy collection system for a pitched roof covered with roofing plates, with support elements that can be laid in the ridge-eaves direction. The support elements can be laid overlapping one another in the ridge-eaves direction, whereby plate-shaped modules having cells are located on the joist elements butted up against one another or adjacent to neighboring roof covering plates. The length of which modules can be greater than the greatest coverage length of a roofing plate, and the width of which can be greater than the system coverage width of the roofing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Braas GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Rinklake, Norbert Rosler
  • Patent number: 6065260
    Abstract: a siding panel is provided for attachment to a structure and connection to a similar overlapping siding panel in interlocking relationship. The panel includes a strip for attachment, such as by nailing, to a supporting structure, a receiver formed by outer and inner bends, at least one stretch extending away from the strip and presenting a gap between the outer bend and the stretch, a base and a projection, all extending the length of the panel. The projection is configured to interfit with a receiver of an adjacent panel, with the projection including a flange, a return bend and a cantilever leg. The projection snap fits into the receiver, with the cantilever leg deflecting as the return bend flexes to permit passage of the projection into the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Variform, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Dickey, Essi Salamatbakhsh, Lewis F. Huebner, Dan Parks
  • Patent number: 6055787
    Abstract: An externally suspended, back-ventilated facade system comprises a subsystem (1) having horizontal and/or vertical sections (2) and facade boards (3) with or without head rabbet (4) at the upper board edge (5) and having a drop rabbet (6) and foot rabbet (7) at the lower board edge (8), which can be fixed by means of board holders (9) to the vertical or horizontal sections (2). In order to be able to lay the facade boards with a shingle-type overlap, the drop rabbet (6) of the upper facade board (10) engages over the front surfaces (11) of the upper board edge (5) of the lower facade board (12), in such a manner that the front surfaces (13) of the upper facade boards (10) are arranged, in the region of the drop rabbet (6), in front of the front surfaces (11) of the upper board edge (5) of the lower facade boards (12) by a distance equal to the thickness of the drop rabbet plus the depth of the front ventilation gap (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventors: Max Gerhaher, Franz Gerhaher
  • Patent number: 6026624
    Abstract: A plastic siding panel for forming a weather-resistant facade on an exterior wall of a building, and which is resistant to being dislodged from the building wall by relatively high apparent wind velocities, which are frequently encountered during transportation of a prefabricated building module. The panel comprises a contoured sheet of a plastic material typically having an ornamental facing, a generally flat nailhem strip at an upper end thereof, and an elongate rib located on the nailhem strip. The rib provides additional strength and rigidity which makes the plastic siding panels of the invention significantly more resistant to dislodgement from a building wall, upon exposure to relatively high winds, than conventional plastic siding panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Fabwel, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiran A. Patel, Steven F. Quady
  • Patent number: 5956913
    Abstract: A shingle system comprising a fastening strip and a plurality of shingles. The fastening strip includes a top flange portion and a fastener portion. A gasket is located along a bottom surface of the fastening portion. The plurality of shingles each include top and bottom edges and opposing side edges. The bottom edge includes an underturned flange for engaging the top flange portion of the fastening strip. Overturned or underturned flanges are provided on the side edges to connect adjacent shingles along the sides. In a further embodiment, the shingles comprise first and second shingle configurations where the first shingle configuration includes side edges that are tapered and either overturned or underturned, and where the second shingle configuration includes side edges having an opposite taper to the first shingle configuration as well as an opposite flange. In a further embodiment, the shingle system further comprises a roof cap including tailing and leading edges and opposing side edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Joseph R. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 5946876
    Abstract: A building siding panel and assembly each assembly having a plurality of interconnecting siding panels that are attached to the building using fasteners that are driven into the building through a plurality of aligned and spaced apart slot pairs in a uniform manner that reduces the distortion that accompanies thermal expansion and/or contraction of the siding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Norandex
    Inventors: Thomas E. Grace, Sr., Douglas L. Price
  • Patent number: 5921045
    Abstract: A two-part fastening mechanism employing (1) a continuous metal strip having attachment slots whose axes are oriented parallel to the length of the strip, and (2) a single preformed metal connector piece having a longitudinally-oriented hook for gripping one end of a tile and a stem portion insertable into one of the slots in the metal fastening strip and bendable over the slot and back upon itself for retaining the connector piece attached to the continuous metal strip. When installed, the fastening mechanism holds each tile in two places: at a first end via the hook, and at an opening in the tile where the connector piece passes through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Newport Fastener Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Hickey, James E. Lee, Robert Ward
  • Patent number: 5916095
    Abstract: A strip for protecting the lower edge of framing of a structure above foundation is disclosed. It attaches at the outer face of the foundation and framing to protect the interface. Moreover, it extends outwardly. In one embodiment, a normal shoulder or face abuts the marginal edge of sheet panel material. In another embodimcnt, an angle face is located so that the strip can be positioned under a first plank to define a sloping angle so that overlapped planks can be built on the exterior to shed rain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Inventor: John Thomas Tamlyn
  • Patent number: 5887403
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for applying building panels, such as siding panels, to building surfaces, such as walls. The panels are of a type which undergo expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature, and they are applied to a building surface, such as a wall, by means of nails, screws, staples or the like. In order to accommodate the expansion and contraction of the panels, the panels are provided with an attachment hem, such as a strip of relatively flexible material, generally rubber-like or fabric-like in nature. A strip of relatively flexible material may be secured to the relatively rigid building panel by any suitable means, such as adhesive securement, welding, heat fusing, etc., such that it becomes an integral part of the building panel, or the relatively flexible attachment hem may comprise a separate component which, when applied to a building surface, such as a wall or the like, by a suitable nailing, stapling, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: CertainTeed Corporation
    Inventor: David H. Beck
  • Patent number: 5885024
    Abstract: A roof tile tie down clip for securing a roof tile to the surface of a roof. The roof tile tie down clip includes a base portion configured to rest against the surface of a roof, body portion extending away from the base portion such that a joint is formed between the base portion and the body portion, and a clip portion configured to engage the top surface of a roof tile and extending away from the body portion distal of the joint. Two claws extend outward from a tip of the base portion for securing the roof tile tie down clip to the surface of a roof in an upright position prior to inserting a nail through the clip. A gusset is formed at the joint between the base portion and body portion of the roof tile tie down clip. The gusset functions to reinforce the joint against bending or warping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventors: Frank J. Zupan, Terrance D. Zupan
  • Patent number: 5845446
    Abstract: Longitudinal facing laid on a base between retainers at a prescribed spacing includes a central face plate, an inner riser along right and left edges of the face plate, an outer riser on an outer side of each inner riser, a drain channel formed between the inner and outer risers, an engaging portion at at least one of end and median portions of the outer riser and in resilient engagement with the retainers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Gantan Beauty Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motokatsu Funaki, Noboru Yamasaka, Kazuyuki Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 5784848
    Abstract: A roofing system and shingle for a roof having sides and an apex is provided. A stripping is attached to the roof near the apex of the roof. A first shingle is attached to the stripping. A panel has a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, wherein the top edge is positioned along the stripping. A bottom flange is attached to and extends along at least a portion of the bottom edge. A plate is attached to the bottom flange distal to the panel. An upper side flange is attached to and extends along at least a portion of the first side edge. A lower side flange is attached to and extends along at least a portion of the second side edge.In accord with another aspect of the invention, a shingle for a roof is provided. A panel has a having a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. An upper side flange is integrally formed with and extends along at least a portion of the first side edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Philip Toscano
  • Patent number: 5771653
    Abstract: An integral, one-piece, metallic chord for use as the top and bottom chords of a roof truss. The chord comprises an elongated member of generally U-shaped, singly symmetric cross-section, having a base terminating at its longitudinal edges in mirror image legs. The base portion is planar with a central depressed rib formed therein and extending the length thereof. Each leg comprises a first planar portion perpendicular to and extending from its respective longitudinal edge of the base, followed by an inwardly sloped planar portion leading to a planar attachment portion which is perpendicular to the base portion and which terminates in a flange portion extending outwardly of the attachment portion and then upwardly and inwardly, ending in a longitudinal edge facing the attachment portion. The flange portions form semi-closed reinforcement members. The legs and their flange portions constitute the sides of the chord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Unimast Incorporated
    Inventors: Masoud Dolati, Rahim A. Zadeh, Charles C. Hoover, David R. Willis, John C. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 5737881
    Abstract: An interlocking roof system of tiers of successively higher interlocking panels mounted on base members, each panel being held in place by protrusions fitted into notches in the base member of the next higher tier, the panels of each higher tier having a groove wrapped about and locked onto a lip of the adjacent lower panel, side lips and clips being used to connect adjacent panels located in the same horizontal tier. The base member of the lowest tier is mounted at its lowest edge on a riser along the lowest edge of the roof being covered and at its upper edge on the rafters of the roof being covered. The next lowest base member is located at its lowest edge along the upper edge of the adjacent lower base member and at its upper edge on the rafters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Inventor: Richard Stocksieker
  • Patent number: 5729946
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for applying building panels, such as siding panels, to building surfaces, such as walls. The panels are of a type which undergo expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature, and they are applied to a building surface, such as a wall, by means of nails, screws, staples or the like. In order to accommodate the expansion and contraction of the panels, the panels are provided with an attachment hem, such as a strip of relatively flexible material, generally rubber-like or fabric-like in nature. A strip of relatively flexible material may be secured to the relatively rigid building panel by any suitable means, such as adhesive securement, welding, heat fusing, etc., such that it becomes an integral part of the building panel, or the relatively flexible attachment hem may comprise a separate component which, when applied to a building surface, such as a wall or the like, by a suitable nailing, stapling, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: CertainTeed Corporation
    Inventor: David H. Beck
  • Patent number: 5722212
    Abstract: A roof tile hurricane clip formed by selectively bending a generally rectangular piece of material for preventing the nose of an overlapping tile from lifting in high winds. The invention comprises a clip body having a fastening end, a retaining end for retaining an angled lower edge portion of an overlapping tile, and a body portion therebetween. The clip fastening end may incorporate an elongated aperture for accommodating a conventional fastener therethrough for securing the clip to a roof tile such that the clip is subject to adjustment for retaining an overlapping roof tile edge of within certain tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Inventors: David C. Struve, Robert D. Pike
  • Patent number: 5715640
    Abstract: A clamp for controlling uplift on a metal roof. The clamp includes a unitary mounting body having a slot extending therethrough. This slot may be positioned over/about a standing seam on a metal roof and be appropriately secured thereto, such as by the use of blunt-nosed screws which engage the seam material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: Robert M. M. Haddock
  • Patent number: 5711127
    Abstract: A roof shingle has parallel top and bottom marginal edge portion which are turned inwardly of a central area and are interengageable with like bottom and top marginal edge portions, respectively, of like roof shingles. The shingle further comprising, at each side thereof, an upper side marginal edge portion and a lower side marginal edge portion, which are inclined relative to said parallel top and bottom marginal edge portions, respectively, so as to converge with one another; and are interengageable with like lower and upper side edge marginal portions, respectively, of like roof shingles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Inventor: Brunelle P. Sabourin
  • Patent number: 5657603
    Abstract: Flat-rolled sheet metal is manufactured to preselected gage, mechanical properties and surface finish and is fabricated into unitary sheet metal shingle structures with interlocking folded over sheet metal layers providing for ease of assembly and weatherproofing along each side of a rectangular configuration portion which remains exposed after assembly of shingle structures in side-by-side interlocked relationship in a horizontal direction, and in overlapping partially-covering relationship in a vertical direction. Galvanized mild steel provides lightweight, high-tensile strength, impact-resistant and long-service-life shingle structure. Finish coating enables selection of coloring and thermosetting polymeric coatings facilitate embossing of exposed portions to simulate the appearance of cedar shakes or other types of shingles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Weirton Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Goodhart, Jane M. Brown, William E. Carnahan
  • Patent number: 5651227
    Abstract: Siding panels for covering the exterior wall of buildings mutually define a tongue and groove interfit which facilitates installation by placing the weight of an upper panel on an underlying lower panel instead of requiring an installer to hold the panel in place against gravity. Mounting nails are used in combination with the tongue and groove interfit to positively lock the tongue of one panel into the groove of the underlying panel. Nail placement is controlled by the relative placement of nail slots and hammer abutment surfaces formed on each panel. Because the panels must be pivoted in place and held in place by the overhanging siding nails, it is virtually impossible for the installer to make a mistake that results in an upper siding panel coming loose from the siding panel below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Inventor: Carl E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5617690
    Abstract: The invention is a mounting assembly for attaching panels to a support surface. It includes various designs of spaced elongated mounting tracks secured to the support surface (usually a deck or wall), and panels provided with mounting devices, such as clips, detachably secured at opposite edges of each panel. These devices serve as the intermediary in attaching the panel to the mounting track, which, in turn, is fastened to the support deck or to an other appropriate surface. Each panel is attached to a mounting track in a way that permits arrangement in courses, with the panels side by side, and when appropriate, in overlapping courses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Inventor: Alden T. Gibbs
  • Patent number: 5613337
    Abstract: A shingle is formed with a first, or trailing, side edge folded over toward the top surface of the shingle to catch moisture and direct it down to the top surface of the next lower shingle. A second, or leading, side edge of the shingle is not folded. An "S" shaped fold, spaced apart from the trailing edge fold, receives the unfolded leading edge of an adjacent shingle. The trailing edge and S fold form a gutter under the leading edge of the adjacent shingle. The top edge of the shingle is folded-over toward the top surface of the shingle for engagement with the folded-under lower edge of the next higher shingle. The folded-over top edge extends to the right or leading edge of the shingle and slides under the left edge of the folded-over top edge of the next adjacent shingle to the fight side. The folded-under lower edge extends along the lower edge of the shingle but leaves a gap relative to the folded-under lower edge of the lateral adjacent shingle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Vail Metal Systems, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Plath, James M. Buster
  • Patent number: RE38210
    Abstract: A shingle is formed with a first, or trailing, side edge folded over toward the top surface of the shingle to catch moisture and direct it down to the top surface of the next lower shingle. A second, or leading, side edge of the shingle is not folded. An “S” shaped fold, spaced apart from the trailing edge fold, receives the unfolded leading edge of an adjacent shingle. The tailing edge and S fold form a gutter under the leading edge of the adjacent shingle. The top edge of the shingle is folded-over toward the top surface of the shingle for engagement with the folded-under lower edge of the next higher shingle. The folded-over top edge extends to the right or leading edge of the shingle and slides under the left edge of the folded-over top edge of the next adjacent shingle to the fight side. The folded-under lower edge extends along the lower edge of the shingle but leaves a gap relative to the folded-under lower edge of the lateral adjacent shingle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Vail Metal Systems, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Plath, James M. Buster