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.

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 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, preferably fabric-like in nature, and having a visually distinct fastener zone defined by one or more generally horizontal lines and/or horizontally spaced-apart locater spots, with said lines and/or spots being preferably different by color from the remainder of the attachment hem and from some or all of each other, to provide an installer with a preferred indication of where fasteners should be applied.

Abstract: Exterior finishing panels are provided which contain an elongated, thermoplastic sheet which is supported by a rigid support member disposed along a portion of the length of the sheet. The rigid support member has a flexural modulus which is significantly greater than the modulus of the thermoplastic sheet, so as to support the panel during handling and installation. The panels of this invention will be more kink-resistant, and will ride uneven walls better to present a flatter-looking finished wall surface. These panels are also capable of being worked with ordinary hand tools, such as a standard wood saw made of steel or carbide.

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.

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 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, preferably fabric-like in nature, and having a visually distinct fastener zone defined by one or more generally horizontal lines and/or horizontally spaced-apart locater spots, with said lines and/or spots being preferably different by color from the remainder of the attachment hem and from some or all of each other, to provide an installer with a preferred indication of where fasteners should be applied.

Abstract: Exterior finishing panels are provided which contain an elongated, thermoplastic sheet which is supported by a rigid support member disposed along a portion of the length of the sheet. The rigid support member has a flexural modulus which is significantly greater than the modulus of the thermoplastic sheet, so as to support the panel during handling and installation. The panels of this invention will be more kink-resistant, and will ride uneven walls better to present a flatter-looking finished wall surface. These panels are also capable of being worked with ordinary hand tools, such as a standard wood saw made of steel or carbide.

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.

Abstract: Exterior finishing panels are provided which contain an elongated, thermoplastic sheet which is supported by a rigid support member disposed along a portion of the length of the sheet. The rigid support member has a flexural modulus which is significantly greater than the modulus of the thermoplastic sheet, so as to support the panel during handling and installation. The panels of this invention will be more kink-resistant, and will ride uneven walls better to present a flatter-looking finished wall surface. These panels are also capable of being worked with ordinary hand tools, such as a standard wood saw made of steel or carbide.

Abstract: Exterior finishing panels are provided which contain an elongated, thermoplastic sheet which is supported by a rigid support member disposed along a portion of the length of the sheet. The rigid support member has a flexural modulus which is significantly greater than the modulus of the thermoplastic sheet, so as to support the panel during handling and installation. The panels of this invention will be more kink-resistant, and will ride uneven walls better to present a flatter-looking finished wall surface. These panels are also capable of being worked with ordinary hand tools, such as a standard wood saw made of steel or carbide.

Abstract: A high-efficiency insulated water heater including a base pan having a bottom portion with cut-out holes. Feet are positioned in the cut-outs having an upper portion extending above the bottom of the pan. The upper portions of the feet have inclined centering surfaces arranged for contacting and centering the water tank substantially equidistant from the outer edge of the base pan. The water tank has a lower edge engaging the centering surfaces of the feet. A method of producing a high-efficiency insulated water heater including the steps of forming a plurality of cut-outs in the bottom of the base pan having an outer edge, inserting feet into the cut-outs in such a way that the feet have upper portions extending above the bottom of the pan and lower portions extending below the bottom of the pan and wherein the upper portions of the feet have inclined centering surfaces located substantially equidistant from the base pan outer edge.

Abstract: A water heater having an electrically grounded water tank including an electrically conductive portion, a water tank inlet and outlet connected to deliver water to and from the water tank, a heater connected to the tank for heating water in the tank, a control for controlling the application of heat to the water, an electrically grounded outer jacket surrounding the water tank, a bottom member electrically grounded to the outer jacket, and a spring urged electrical bonding clip secured to and electrically connected to the bottom member and directly electrically engaging the water tank electrically conductive portion.