Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for producing fiber-cement soffit building products. In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for producing fiber-cement soffits includes a punch assembly, a support assembly facing at least a portion of the punch assembly, and an actuator operatively coupled to at least one of the punch assembly or the support assembly. The punch assembly can include a punch plate and a plurality of punches coupled to the punch plate. Each punch can have a length and a first cross-sectional dimension generally normal to the length. The support assembly can have a support plate, and at least a portion of the support plate is juxtaposed to at least a portion of the punch plate. The support plate can include a plurality of holes arranged in a pattern so that each hole in the portion of the support plate juxtaposed to the punch plate is aligned with a corresponding punch on the punch plate.

Abstract: Siding installation apparatuses and methods for engaging a first siding piece and supporting a second siding piece are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a support member having a support surface to support the second siding piece, an engagement member projecting from the support member, and a securing assembly coupled to the support member to releasably restrict the support member from moving relative to the first siding piece. The engagement member is configured to engage the bottom portion of the first siding piece by contacting the back surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward unitary modular shake panels, and methods for making and using such shake panels. In one aspect of the invention, a unitary modular shake panel includes an interconnecting section composed of a siding material and several integral shake sections projecting from the interconnecting section. The panel preferably has a quadrilateral shape with first and second edges along a longitudinal dimension that are separated from each other by a width of the panel along a transverse dimension. Additionally, the shake sections are separated from one another by slots extending from the second edge to an intermediate width in the panel. In a preferred embodiment, the panel is composed of a unitary piece of fiber-cement siding with a simulated wood grain running along the transverse dimension.

Abstract: Siding installation apparatuses and methods for engaging a first siding piece and supporting a second siding piece are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a support member having a support surface to support the second siding piece, an engagement member projecting from the support member, and a securing assembly coupled to the support member to releasably restrict the support member from moving relative to the first siding piece. The engagement member is configured to engage the bottom portion of the first siding piece by contacting the back surface.

Abstract: Siding installation apparatuses and methods for engaging a first siding piece and supporting a second siding piece are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a support member having a support surface to support the second siding piece, an engagement member projecting from the support member, and a securing assembly coupled to the support member to releasably restrict the support member from moving relative to the first siding piece. The engagement member is configured to engage the bottom portion of the first siding piece by contacting the back surface. It is emphasized that this Abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b).

Abstract: Waste ejecting blade assemblies for hand-held cutting tools and methods for cutting fiber-cement materials are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the blade assembly includes first and second fingers attachable to the cutting tool, and a reciprocating cutting member between the first and second fingers. The cutting member includes a body pivotally coupled to the first and second fingers and a blade projecting from the body. The blade includes a top surface between opposing side surfaces and a waste ejection member at a rear portion of the top surface. The waste ejection member includes a ramp having a front edge, a back edge, and an inclined portion between the front and back edges. The inclined portion is canted toward the first or second finger and configured to direct a waste portion of the workpiece away from the blade toward the first or second finger.

Abstract: An extended-life cutting blade is adapted for mounting on a hand-held cutting tool in multiple operative orientations. A single cutting blade may provide up to four independent shear edges, each of which has a useful life. The blade can be easily changed from an orientation adapted to cut a workpiece with one shear edge to a different operative orientation adapted to cut with a different shear edge by selecting an appropriate mount on the blade.

Abstract: An extended-life cutting blade is adapted for mounting on a hand-held cutting tool in multiple operative orientations. A single cutting blade may provide up to four independent shear edges, each of which has a useful life. The blade can be easily changed from an orientation adapted to cut a workpiece with one shear edge to a different operative orientation adapted to cut with a different shear edge by selecting an appropriate mount on the blade.

Abstract: Siding installation apparatuses and methods for engaging a first siding piece and supporting a second siding piece are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a support member having a support surface to support the second siding piece, an engagement member projecting from the support member, and a securing assembly coupled to the support member to releasably restrict the support member from moving relative to the first siding piece. The engagement member is configured to engage the bottom portion of the first siding piece by contacting the back surface. It is emphasized that this Abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b).

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward unitary modular shake panels, and methods for making and using such shake panels. In one aspect of the invention, a unitary modular shake panel includes an interconnecting section composed of a siding material and several integral shake sections projecting from the interconnecting section. The panel preferably has a quadrilateral shape with first and second edges along a longitudinal dimension that are separated from each other by a width of the panel along a transverse dimension. Additionally, the shake sections are separated from one another by slots extending from the second edge to an intermediate width in the panel. In a preferred embodiment, the panel is composed of a unitary piece of fiber-cement siding with a simulated wood grain running along the transverse dimension.

Abstract: Unitary modular shake panels and methods for making and using such shake panels. In one aspect of the invention, a unitary modular shake panel includes an interconnecting section composed of a siding material and several integral shake sections projecting from the interconnecting section. The panel preferably has a quadrilateral shape with first and second edges along a longitudinal dimension that are separated from each other by a width of the panel along a transverse dimension. Additionally, the shake sections are separated from one another by slots extending from the second edge to an intermediate width in the panel. In a preferred embodiment, the panel is composed of a unitary piece of fiber-cement siding with a simulated wood grain running along the transverse dimension.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for producing fiber-cement soffit building products. In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for producing fiber-cement soffits includes a punch assembly, a support assembly facing at least a portion of the punch assembly, and an actuator operatively coupled to at least one of the punch assembly or the support assembly. The punch assembly can include a punch plate and a plurality of punches coupled to the punch plate. Each punch can have a length and a first cross-sectional dimension generally normal to the length. The support assembly can have a support plate, and at least a portion of the support plate is juxtaposed to at least a portion of the punch plate. The support plate can include a plurality of holes arranged in a pattern so that each hole in the portion of the support plate juxtaposed to the punch plate is aligned with a corresponding punch on the punch plate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for producing fiber-cement soffit building products. In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for producing fiber-cement soffits includes a punch assembly, a support assembly facing at least a portion of the punch assembly, and an actuator operatively coupled to at least one of the punch assembly or the support assembly. The punch assembly can include a punch plate and a plurality of punches coupled to the punch plate. Each punch can have a length and a first cross-sectional dimension generally normal to the length. The support assembly can have a support plate, and at least a portion of the support plate is juxtaposed to at least a portion of the punch plate. The support plate can include a plurality of holes arranged in a pattern so that each hole in the portion of the support plate juxtaposed to the punch plate is aligned with a corresponding punch on the punch plate.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cutting fiber-cement materials, such as planks, panels, boards, backing substrates and other materials. A fiber-cement siding cutting tool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention can have an actuator including a driver that moves along a stroke path between a release position and a cutting position. The fiber-cement siding cutting tool can also have a pair of cutting blades including a first cutting blade having a first cutting edge and a second cutting blade having a second edge. The first cutting blade is coupled to the driver to move along the stroke path between the release position and the cutting position. The second cutting blade can be positioned along the stroke path such that the first cutting edge faces the second cutting edge. The fiber-cement siding cutting machine can also include a workpiece support assembly having a first support member on a first side of the stroke path and a second support member on a second side of the stroke path.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward unitary modular shake panels, and methods for making and using such shake panels. In one aspect of the invention, a unitary modular shake panel includes an interconnecting section composed of a siding material and several integral shake sections projecting from the interconnecting section. The panel preferably has a quadrilateral shape with first and second edges along a longitudinal dimension that are separated from each other by a width of the panel along a transverse dimension. Additionally, the shake sections are separated from one another by slots extending from the second edge to an intermediate width in the panel. In a preferred embodiment, the panel is composed of a unitary piece of fiber-cement siding with a simulated wood grain running along the transverse dimension.

Abstract: Unitary modular shake panels, and methods for making and using such shake panels. In one aspect of the invention, a unitary modular shake panel includes an interconnecting section composed of a siding material and several integral shake sections projecting from the interconnecting section. The panel preferably has a quadrilateral shape with first and second edges along a longitudinal dimension that are separated from each other by a width of the panel along a transverse dimension. Additionally, the shake sections are separated from one another by slots extending from the second edge to an intermediate width in the panel. In a preferred embodiment, the panel is composed of a unitary piece of fiber-cement siding with a simulated wood grain running along the transverse dimension.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting fiber-cement siding. A fiber-cement siding cutting tool in accordance with the invention may have a hand-held motor unit with a housing, a motor inside the housing, and a switch operatively coupled to the motor to selectively activate the motor. A head having a casing may be attached to the housing of the motor unit The head may have a reciprocating drive assembly coupled to the motor. The hand-held cutting tool also has a blade set with first and second fingers attached to either the casing or the motor housing, and a reciprocating cutting member between the first and second fingers. The first finger may have a first guide surface and a first interior surface. Similarly, the second finger may have a second straight guide surface and a second interior surface. The reciprocating cutting member has a body and a blade projecting from the body.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cutting fiber-cement materials, such as planks, panels, boards, backing substrates and other materials. A fiber-cement siding cutting tool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention can have an actuator including a driver that moves along a stroke path between a release position and a cutting position. The fiber-cement siding cutting tool can also have a pair of cutting blades including a first cutting blade having a first cutting edge and a second cutting blade having a second edge. The first cutting blade is coupled to the driver to move along the stroke path between the release position and the cutting position. The second cutting blade can be positioned along the stroke path such that the first cutting edge faces the second cutting edge. The fiber-cement siding cutting machine can also include a workpiece support assembly having a first support member on a first side of the stroke path and a second support member on a second side of the stroke path.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting fiber-cement siding. A fiber-cement siding cutting tool in accordance with the invention may have a hand-held motor unit with a housing, a motor inside the housing, and a switch operatively coupled to the motor to selectively activate the motor. A head having a casing may be attached to the housing of the motor unit. The head may have a reciprocating drive assembly coupled to the motor. The hand-held cutting tool also has a blade set with first and second fingers attached to either the casing or the motor housing, and a reciprocating cutting member between the first and second fingers. The first finger may have a first guide surface and a first interior surface. Similarly, the second finger may have a second straight guide surface and a second interior surface. The reciprocating cutting member has a body and a blade projecting from the body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a non-linear, ornamental edge along a cement siding workpiece. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a first cutting blade is configured to have a non-linear shape corresponding to a shape of an ornamental feature that is to be cut in the cement siding workpiece. A second cutting blade is then configured to have the non-linear shape of the first cutting blade. The first and second cutting blades are aligned with one another to position a first cutting edge on the first cutting blade opposite to a second cutting edge on the second cutting blade. A cement siding workpiece is then positioned between the first and second cutting blades so that the first and second cutting blades are aligned with a location at which an ornamental feature is desirably formed on the workpiece.