Board fastener with underside ventilation

Abstract

A board fastener/ventilator device has a top bracket and a bottom bracket that are secured to a sheathing surface and that mount a board, such as a shingle or siding board, at a distance above the sheathing. A board fastener/ventilator device secures one end of the board and another board fastener/ventilator device supports the opposite end of the board so as to maintain an air space between the board and the sheathing layer. The separation between the sheathing layer and the board is maintained by an angled riser that has vents to allow air to pass through the angled riser between the different layers of boards that are mounted on a roof or wall, so as to minimize the accumulation of moisture on the sheathing or board in order to minimize deterioration of those surfaces.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of mounting shingles, boards and/or panels, and more particularly relates to devices that secure shingles or boards to a surface.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Wooden shingles, boards and panels are used in many construction applications, including roofing and sidings for buildings. Modern practice, which is often required by building codes, place a sheathing under the shingles or siding boards and the shingles or siding boards are secured directly to this sheathing. Moreover, a vapor barrier is often required between the sheathing and shingles to prevent moisture penetration. A typical vapor barrier is a material such as 30 pound felt paper or another material, such as a membrane layer, that is nailed or hot tarred into place on top of the sheathing material. Commonly used membrane layers include waterproof underlayments that are marketed under the trade names Bituthane or Watershield. These waterproof underlayment layers can have a healing capability whereby they form a waterproof seal around nails that are driven into the mounting surface that is underneath the membrane layer.

[0005] Mounting of wooden shingles directly to the sheathing impedes or prevents air from circulating on the underside of the shingle or board and leads to premature failure of the shingle or siding board due to moisture retention and rot of the board or shingle.

[0006] Underlayments have been developed to address moisture retention between the sheathing and the shingle or board. These underlayments are placed between the sheathing and shingle or board and consist of a porous, fiber mat that allows some air circulation under the board or shingle. The underlyments create a poor nailing surface for the board or shingle and makes the board or shingle susceptible to wind damage and clogging. Plywood with wood strapping can be placed on the sheathing to create a more secure nailing surface. Using plywood with wood strapping in conjunction with an underlayment also creates a thermal barrier to eliminate moisture buildup from the heated house, but places the plywood in direct contact with the back surface of the shingle and therefore traps moisture between these two surfaces or by soaking the shingles in a water and wood preservative to reduce splitting.

[0007] A related problem with mounting shingles and boards to a surface is that driving a nail through the shingle or board can cause the shingle or board to split or be otherwise damaged. This damage can be caused by the penetration of the nail itself or by the accidental striking of the board or shingle with a hammer while driving the nail. This concern is often addressed by limiting the number of nails used to mount the board or shingle in order to protect the shingle from damage.

[0008] Therefore a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a mounting mechanism has a bottom base that has an attachment surface and a top surface, wherein the top surface is opposite the attachment surface. The mounting mechanism also has a bottom engagement support that has a top surface, a bottom surface and an angled riser. This angled riser extends from the bottom surface at a finite angle and engages the top surface of the bottom base so as to maintain the bottom engagement support substantially parallel to and above the bottom base. The mechanism also has a top base having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface is opposite the bottom surface. The mechanism has a top engagement support that has a top surface, a bottom surface and an angled riser. The angled riser extends from the bottom surface of the top engagement support at a finite angle and engages the top surface of the top base so as to maintain the top engagement support substantially parallel to and above the top base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and also the advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Additionally, the left-most digit of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears.

[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a board fastener/ventilation device according to the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a view of a fastening mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a view of a fastener hole within a fastener/ventilation device that has fastener engagement members according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a front view of a fastener/ventilation device according to the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a side view of a fastener/ventilation device according to the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a side view of two layers of shingles secured with fastener/ventilation devices according to the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a side view of base members of a variable thickness ventilated fastener according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] It is important to note, that these embodiments are only examples of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not necessarily limit any of the various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others. In general, unless otherwise indicated, singular elements may be in the plural and visa versa with no loss of generality.

[0019] The present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, overcomes problems with the prior art by providing a combined fastener and ventilator device that secures a board or shingle to a surface while providing a ventilated air space between the surface and the board or shingle. An expanded isometric view of a ventilated fastener 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The ventilated fastener 100 of the exemplary embodiment is constructed by stamping, extruding, molding and/or forging metal or other suitable material that has a thickness gauge adapted to the expected forces that are to be applied to the ventilated fastener 100 due to the size of a shingle or board that is to be held by the fastener. The exemplary embodiments are formed by stamping shapes from 20 to 26 gauge metal. Other embodiments of the present invention form the ventilated fastener 100 from plastic or composite material. The ventilated fastener 100 of the exemplary embodiment has a top bracket 130 and a bottom bracket 132. The top bracket 130 is an upper member or an upper Z-shaped member. Top bracket 130 has a top base 110 and a top engagement support 112. The top bracket 130 also has an top bracket angled riser 118, or a middle member of an upper Z-shaped member, that has one end connected to an end of the top engagement support 112 and an opposite end connected to the top base 110. The top bracket angled riser 118 of the exemplary embodiment is a vented structure that has a number of top bracket fins 124 arranged to be substantially parallel to one another. The top bracket fins 124 of the exemplary embodiment are stamped from the sheet of metal that forms the top bracket 130 and are bent so as to form a substantially vertical structure with substantially parallel fins 124. The top bracket fins 124 of the exemplary embodiment are formed with a D-stamp in the sheet of metal and turned ninety degrees from the plane of the sheet of metal to form the ventilating structure of the top bracket angled riser. The top bracket fins 124 of the exemplary embodiment provide a physical support for fixedly attaching the top engagement support 112 to the top base 110 and further allows air circulations to pass through the top bracket angled riser 118. The top bracket fins 124 of the exemplary embodiment are turned away from the top engagement support 112 so as to allow mating with the bottom bracket 132. This results in the lack of a fin 124 on one end of the top bracket angled riser 118 in the exemplary embodiment.

[0020] The bottom bracket 132 has a bottom base 102 and a bottom engagement support 104. The bottom bracket 132 is also a lower Z-shaped member or a lower member. The bottom bracket 132 also has an bottom bracket angled riser 134, or a middle portion of the lower Z-shaped member, that has one end connected to the bottom engagement support 108 and an opposite end connected to the bottom base 102. The bottom bracket angled riser 134 of the exemplary embodiment is similar to the top bracket angled riser 118 in that it is a vented structure that has a number of bottom bracket fins 136 arranged to be substantially parallel to each other and that are formed from the sheet of metal that from which the bottom bracket 132 is formed. The bottom bracket fins 136 of the exemplary embodiment also provide a physical support for fixedly attaching the bottom engagement support to the bottom base with a desired separation and orientation. The bottom bracket angled riser 134 also allows air to pass between the bottom bracket fins 136. The bottom bracket fins 136 of the exemplary embodiment are turned towards the bottom engagement support 104. This causes the bottom bracket fin 136 not being present on one end of the bottom bracket angled riser 134. Since the bottom bracket fins 136 are turned in the direction opposite that of the top bracket fins 124, the ventilated fastener that consists of a top bracket 130 and a bottom bracket 132 have at least one fin on each end of the entire ventilated fastener 100.

[0021] The bottom bracket angled riser 134 of the exemplary embodiment is shorter than the top bracket angled riser so that a board or shingle can be placed between the bottom engagement support and the top engagement support when the top bracket 130 and bottom bracket 132 are mounted. The boards fastened with the exemplary embodiments of the present invention typically have a thickness of ¼ of an inch at the end that is attached to the fastener/ventilator mechanism 100. The thickness of these boards can gradually increase to ⅝th of an inch or more on the end opposite the fastened end. The exemplary embodiments utilize angled risers that are substantially perpendicular to the engagement support and the base to which they are attached. Alternative embodiments utilize angled risers that are form other finite angles, i.e., angles greater than zero, between the engagement supports and the base to which they are attached.

[0022] The bottom bracket 132 and the top bracket 130 of the exemplary embodiment are designed to mate so that the top base 110 is placed on top of the bottom base 102. The bottom base 102 of the exemplary embodiment is typically placed on a sheathing layer (not shown) and a fastener 120 is driven through the top base 110, the bottom base 102 and the sheathing so as to securely fix the top base 110 and bottom base 102 together and onto the sheathing. To facilitate driving the fastener 120 through the bottom base, a hole 122 is provided in the exemplary embodiment. Embodiments of the present invention have a hole 140 in the top base 110 to facilitate placement of fastener 120 while other embodiments have an area that is weakened (not shown) to facilitate placing the fastener 120 and to allow the fastener 120 to be driven through the top base 110 to provide a more secure fastening to the sheathing. When the top bracket 130 and the bottom bracket 132 are so mounted, a board engagement cavity 128 is formed.

[0023] The top engagement support 112 of the exemplary embodiments has board engagement members 108 protruding from the bottom surface of the top engagement member. The board engagement members 108 of the exemplary embodiments are stamped from the metal that forms the top engagement member 112, so as to leave an engagement member void 114, and are formed to have a triangular shape that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the top engagement member. The engagement member 108 of the exemplary embodiment has one end attached to the top engagement support 112 and a sharp point on the opposite end such as teeth. Alternative embodiments have board engagement members 108 that have different shapes that are selected to hold a board in place when the top bracket 130 and bottom bracket 132 are secured together. Other embodiments of the present invention do not have engagement members 108 attached to the top engagement support 112, but use detached fasteners (not shown) that are driven through the top engagement support 112 or use other means, such as an adhesive, sealant, and/or mechanical fastening, to secure a board between the top engagement support 112 and bottom engagement support 104. The top engagement support 112 of the exemplary embodiments include a support ridge 116 to allow improved ventilation around the secured board, as is described below.

[0024] Mounting multiple shingles in a line on a roof is an example of a use of the exemplary ventilated fastener 100. In the case of mounting shingles, as with other boards, the multiple shingles that are mounted in a row on one course of shingles have different lengths in the direction that extends away from the ventilated fastener 100. In order to accommodate this variation in shingle length, board engagement cavity 128 has a depth, i.e., the distance between the top bracket angled riser 118 to the opening at the opposite end of the top engagement support 112, that is deeper than the expected length of the portion of the shingle that is to be accepted within board engagement cavity 128. This allows shingle of varying length to be aligned at a lower end, with a board or by other means, and the variation in length among the different shingles is accommodated by the deeper board engagement cavity 128.

[0025] An alternative ventilated fastener 200 that has a punched fastener 121 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. The alternative ventilated fastener 200 of this embodiment has a punched fastener 121 that is formed by punching and bending a portion of the sheet metal that forms the top base 110 so as to leave a fastener void 202. This punching operation breaks the punched fastener 121 from the top bracket on substantially three sides, and leaves a portion 204 of the punched fastener 121 attached to the top bracket 110. The alternative ventilated fastener 200 has the top of the punched fastener 121 attached to the top base 110. The alternative ventilated fastener 200 utilizes a bottom bracket 102 that is similar to the bottom bracket 102 utilized by the ventilated fastener 100. A hole 122 is provided in the bottom base to facilitate driving the punched fastener 121 through the bottom bracket and into a sheathing layer. The punched fastener 121 is formed with serrated edges in this embodiment so as to provide improved fastening to a sheathing layer.

[0026] Embodiments of the present invention incorporate means to hold a fastener 120 within the hole 124 in order to facilitate holding the fastener for driving into the sheathing layer. A side view 300 of an alternative embodiment that incorporates fastener engagement members 302 is illustrated in FIG. 3. This side view 300 shows the top base 110 and the bottom base 102 as they are placed into position for mounting onto a sheathing layer (not shown). The top base 110 of this embodiment incorporates fastener engagement members 302 to surround the fastener 120. The fastener engagement members of this embodiment contact the fastener 120 and provide friction to hold the fastener in position, but provide an amount of friction that allows fastener to be driven through the hole 122 in the bottom base 102 and into the sheathing layer. The fastener of this embodiment is a nail with a nail head 304. Hitting the nail head 304 with a hammer while the top base 110 and the bottom base 102 are in position on top of a sheathing layer provides the force that causes the fastener 120 to be driven through the holes and into the sheathing layer.

[0027] A front view 400 of a ventilated fastener 100 is illustrated in FIG. 4. The front view 400 shows a ventilated fastener 100 that is secured to a sheathing layer 402 with fasteners 120. The sheathing layer 402 is a sheathing surface and is typically a plywood layer onto which roofing or siding material is mounted. The ventilated fastener 100 is further mounted with a board 404 between the top engagement surface 112 and the bottom engagement surface 104. Board 404 is a roof shingle or a siding board depending upon the specific use of the ventilated fastener 100. Top bracket fins 124 are shown in this view. The planes of the bottom bracket fins 124 are substantially perpendicular to the front of the ventilated fastener 100. Bottom bracket fins 136 are located behind the top bracket fins and are not visible in this view. The top bracket fins 124 and bottom bracket fins 136 align to form ventilation openings 406 that allow air to pass through the vertical portion of the ventilated fastener 100. As described above, the top bracket 130 and the bottom bracket 132 have a fin missing from one end due to the construction of those brackets. Since the fins on the top bracket 130 and the bottom bracket 132 are bent in different directions to allow mating of the two brackets, there is one fin on each end of the structure. The left side of the front view 400 of this exemplary embodiment shows that only the bottom bracket fin 136 is present and the right side of the front view 400 shows that only the top bracket fin 124 is present. This advantageously provides enhanced strength to the assembled ventilated fastener 100.

[0028] A side view 500 of the ventilated fastener 100 is illustrated in FIG. 5. Side view 500 corresponds to view “B” as indicated in the illustration of the ventilated fastener 100. The side view 500 shows that the top bracket 130 and bottom bracket 132 are secured to the sheathing layer 402 by fastener 120. Fastener 120 is driven through the top base 110, the bottom base 102 and the sheathing 402. Some installations of the ventilated fastener 100 include 30 pound felt paper or other material between the bottom base 102 and the sheathing 402 to reduce moisture penetration. The top bracket 130 and the bottom bracket 132 are positioned so as to form a clamp that securely holds an end of the board 404, which is a shingle or siding board in the exemplary embodiments, in a desired location. The vents in the top bracket angled riser 118 and the bottom bracket angled riser 134 allow the ventilation of air located between the sheathing 402 and the board 404 so as to prevent an accumulation of moisture on the board 404 and/or sheathing 402 that can cause rot or other damage to these surfaces.

[0029] A side view of multiple board layers 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 6. The orientation of the side view 600 illustrates boards that are shingles that are placed on a roof. Two layers of shingles are shown, with a first shingle 620 and a second shingle 622. This embodiment of the present invention is used to install shingles with a length of 18 to 24 inches. The sheathing 402 is sheathing placed on the roof. The first shingle 620 is shown as mounted on one end 612 with a ventilated fastener 100. The opposite end 614 of the first shingle 620 rests upon the support ridge 116 on the top surface of the top engagement support 112 of the ventilated fastener 100 that mounts the second shingle 622. The resting of the opposite end 614 of the first shingle 620 on the support ridge 116 allows air to circulate under the first shingle 404 and prevent moisture from accumulating on the underside of the first shingle 620, particularly in the area between the first shingle 620 and the top engagement support 112 of the ventilated fastener 100 that secures the second shingle 622.

[0030] The bottom of the second shingle 622 is shown as resting on a vented end cap 604. The vented end cap is located at the end of the bottom row of shingles on a roof, or at the bottom row of siding boards on a wall, in the exemplary embodiments. Ventilated end cap 604 of the exemplary embodiment includes an end cap bottom surface 608 for mounting the ventilated end cap 604 onto the sheathing 402. The ventilated end cap of the exemplary embodiment further has an end cap vent 602 that is substantially similar to the bottom bracket angled riser 118 in that it includes a number of parallel fins to form ventilation holes and allow ventilation of the air between the second shingle 622 and the sheathing 402. The end cap vent 602 of the exemplary embodiment joins the end cap bottom surface 608 to the end cap top surface 610. The top of the end cap top surface 610 has an end cap support ridge 606 that is substantially similar to the support ridge 116 of the top engagement support 112 so that air is able to circulate between the end cap top surface 610 and the second shingle 622.

[0031] As an alternative to the use of a special vented end cap 604, some uses of the ventilated fastener 100 place a bottom base 102 flush with the end of the roof or close to the end of the roof. Using a bottom base 102 placed flush with or behind the edge of the roof caused the bottom angled riser 134 to be set back from the edge of the roof and therefore not as readily visible as with the vented end cap 604.

[0032] Various embodiments of the present invention utilize top brackets 130 and bottom brackets 132 of different lengths. Embodiments of the present invention that are adapted for fastening of wall siding utilize bottom brackets 130 and top brackets 132 that have lengths that correspond to one or several siding board lengths. Some embodiments of the present invention consist of long strips of top bracket 130 and/or the bottom bracket 132 that can be cut to desired length when being installed or transported.

[0033] Embodiments of the present invention also incorporate a bonding or sealing material between the bottom base 102 and the sheathing 402. Embodiments attach this material to the bottom of the bottom base 102. This bonding or sealing material is able to be mastic or other material that is either placed along the entire bottom base 102, along parts of the bottom base 102 or just around the fasteners 120. Embodiments of the present invention utilize a bonding material that has a thermal characteristic that causes migration upon heating, such as by exposure to the sun, so as to improve the seal formed by this material around the fasteners 120.

[0034] A variable thickness ventilated fastener 700 according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 7. The variable thickness ventilated fastener 700 is suitable for use in mounting boards or shingles of varying thickness. The variable thickness ventilated fastener 700 incorporates a top bracket 130 and a bottom bracket 132 that are similar to those described above. The variable thickness ventilated fastener 700 further includes a base connector 702 that connects the end of the top base 110 and the end of the bottom base 102 that are opposite the top bracket angled riser 118 and the bottom bracket angled riser 134. The top bracket angled riser 118 is formed by the top bracket fins 124 and the bottom bracket angled riser 134 is formed by the bottom bracket fins 136, which are not illustrated to scale in order to more clearly illustrate the base connector 702 of this embodiment. The base connector 702 of this embodiment is a strip of metal that forms a vertical connector 704 that connects the bottom base 102 to the top base 110. The vertical connector 704 of this embodiment has several score lines 706 that are parallel to the top base 110 and bottom base 102. The ventilated fasteners of this embodiment are installed by placing the bottom base 102 on the mounting surface, placing a board or shingle onto the bottom engagement support 104, bending the top bracket 130 over and driving a fastener 120 through holes 140 and 122 and into the mounting surface. As the fastener 120 is driven through the holes, the top bracket 130 is brought closer to the bottom bracket 132 and the top engagement support 112 is then brought down upon the board or shingle so as to secure the board or shingle between the top engagement support 112 and the bottom engagement support 104. The score lines 706 on the vertical connector 704 allow the vertical connector to collapse in an accordion-like fashion. The operation of the variable thickness ventilated fastener 700 advantageously allows the top bracket angled riser 118 and the bottom bracket angled riser 134 to accommodate boards or shingles of different thickness and also allows the risers to be the same or of different height. The variable thickness ventilated fastener 700 also allows the top bracket 130 and the bottom bracket 132 to be produced as one stamped part to advantageously improve manufacturing economy and efficiency.

[0035] Embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide a board mounting mechanism that allows a board, such as a shingle or siding board, to be mounted on a mounting surface while providing for air circulation between the mounting surface and the board. These embodiments include readily manufactured structures that are rugged and allow easy installation.

[0036] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments, and it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A board mounting mechanism, comprising:

a bottom base having an attachment surface and a top surface, wherein the top surface is opposite the attachment surface;

a bottom engagement support having a top surface, a bottom surface and an angled riser, wherein the angled riser extends from the bottom surface at a finite angle and engages the top surface of the bottom base so as to maintain the bottom engagement support substantially parallel to and above the bottom base;

a top base having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface is opposite the bottom surface; and

a top engagement support having a top surface, a bottom surface and an angled riser, wherein the angled riser extends from the bottom surface of the top engagement support at a finite angle and engages the top surface of the top base so as to maintain the top engagement support substantially parallel to and above the top base;

wherein the top riser and the bottom riser comprise openings to allow air flow below the bottom surface of the bottom engagement support.

2. The board mounting mechanism of claim 1, wherein at least one of the top engagement support and the bottom engagement support has at least one board engagement member attached thereto.

3. The board mounting mechanism of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the top engagement support comprises at least one support ridge.

4. The board mounting mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a layer of material affixed to the bottom of the bottom base.

5. The board mounting mechanism of claim 1, further comprising at least one fastener engagement member for engaging a fastener, wherein the at least one fastener engagement members depend from at least one of the bottom base and the top base.

6. The board mounting mechanism of claim 1, wherein the top base and the top engagement support can be cut to a desired length and are longer than a board that is held between the top engagement support and the bottom engagement support.

7. The board mounting mechanism of claim 1, wherein the bottom base and the bottom engagement support are longer than a board that is held between the top engagement support and the bottom engagement support.

8. The board mounting mechanism of claim 7, wherein the bottom base and the bottom engagement support can be cut to a desired length.

9. The board mounting mechanism of claim 1, wherein the bottom engagement support and the top engagement support form a board engagement cavity for accepting a board.

10. The board mounting mechanism of claim 9, wherein the board is one of a roofing shingle, a panel, and a siding board.

11. The board mounting mechanism of claim 9, wherein the board engagement cavity is deeper than the length of the board that is accepted therein.

12. The board mounting mechanism of claim 1, further comprising at least one fastener for securing the top base and the bottom base to a surface facing the attachment surface of the bottom base, so that a board is secured between the bottom surface of the top engagement support and the top surface of the bottom engagement support.

13. The board mounting mechanism of claim 12, wherein the at least one fastener comprises a member that depends from the top base.

14. A mounting clamp for a shingle or board comprising:

a lower Z-shaped member with a bottom base adapted to fasten to an sheathing surface thereunder, and a bottom engagement support forming a bottom support; and

an upper Z-shaped member with a top base adapted to sit on top of the bottom base, and a top engagement support providing an upper support positioned so as to form a clamp with the bottom support of the lower Z-shaped member for clamping a first end of a shingle;

wherein one or more openings are formed in a middle portion of the lower Z-shaped member and a middle portion of the upper Z-shaped member so that when the clamp is formed around the first end of the shingle, air can pass through the openings in an area between the shingle and the sheathing surface.

15. The mounting clamp of claim 14, wherein at least one of the bottom engagement support and the top engagement support has at least one board engagement member attached thereto.

16. The mounting clamp of claim 14, wherein the top engagement support has a top surface that comprises at least one support ridge on a surface opposite the shingle.

17. The mechanism of claim 14, further comprising at least one fastener engagement member for engaging a fastener, wherein the at least one fastener engagement members depend from at least one of the bottom base and the top base.

18. The mounting clamp of claim 14, further comprising at least one fastener for securing the top base and the bottom base to the sheathing surface, so that the shingle is secured between the bottom engagement support and the top engagement support.

19. The mounting clamp of claim 18, wherein the at least one fastener comprises a member that depends from the bottom base.

20. A mounting clamp for shingle comprising:

a lower member with a bottom base adapted to fasten to an sheathing surface thereunder, a bottom engagement support upon which a first end of a shingle rests, and an angled riser connecting the bottom engagement support and the bottom base and maintaining the bottom engagement support and bottom base in a substantially parallel relationship;

an upper member, formed to sit atop the lower member, the upper member having a top base adapted to sit on top of the bottom base, and the upper member having a top engagement support positioned so as to form a clamp with the bottom engagement support of the lower member for holding the first end of the shingle, and the upper member having an angled riser connecting the top engagement support and the top base and maintaining the top engagement support and bottom base in a substantially parallel relationship; and

one or more openings formed in the angled risers of the upper member and the lower member so that when a clamp is formed around the first end of the shingle, air can pass through the openings in an area between the shingle and the sheathing surface.

21. The mounting clamp of claim 20, wherein at least one of the top engagement surface and the bottom engagement surface has at least one board engagement member attached thereto.

22. The mounting clamp of claim 20, wherein the top engagement surface has a top surface that comprises at least one support ridge.

23. The mounting clamp of claim 20, further comprising at least one fastener engagement member for engaging a fastener, wherein the at least one fastener engagement members depend from at least one of the bottom base and the top base.

24. The mounting clamp of claim 20, further comprising at least one fastener for securing the bottom base and the top base to a sheathing surface, so that the shingle is secured between the top engagement surface and the bottom engagement surface.

25. The mounting clamp of claim 24, wherein the at least one fastener comprises a member that depends from the top base.