Prefabricated siding wall system

Abstract

A prefabricated wall system includes vinyl siding, steel attachment strips, a foam insulation sheet, a trim adaptor for a top panel and a starter strip foundation cap for a bottom panel. The prefabricated vinyl siding wall system is attached to a pre-existing wall or wall frame with screws.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/513,584 filed Oct. 24, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to siding for a building structure, and more specifically to siding attachment devices for a building, which can be formed into prefabricated walls for assembly on site.

2. Description of the Background Art

Many types of buildings include some form of siding. Siding is generally used as an exterior surface to keep out moisture and decay, protect the building, and also to provide an attractive or durable appearance to the building structure.

In the prior art the siding is generally supplied as panels that are applied starting from the bottom of the building structure, and are generally nailed onto studs of the building. Generally, one nail is used per stud.

However, there are several problems in the siding application according to the prior art.

First, the siding must be applied in a manner that is substantially level. This is done to ensure that the siding is installed evenly. It is also important for an appearance aspect. In addition, the prior art siding process is relatively slow and some carpentry expertise is needed.

In my prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,618 issued Apr. 27, 2004, entitled Siding and Overhang Attachment System, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, I have taught a siding attachment strip system and method for retaining a plurality of siding panels to a building structure.

There remains a need in the art for further improvements in siding attachment systems for buildings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A siding attachment system is provided according to one embodiment of the invention as a prefabricated wall that is assembled into a building structure on site. The siding attachment system includes strips adapted to retain a plurality of siding panels to the wall. The siding attachment strip comprises an elongate body and one or more mounting holes spaced along the elongate body. The siding attachment strip further comprises a plurality of siding fold clips formed in the elongate body and spaced from and corresponding to the plurality of siding top edge clips. A siding fold clip of the plurality of siding fold clips includes a substantially orthogonal first portion extending from the elongate body and a substantially parallel second portion that is substantially parallel with the elongate body and is substantially orthogonal to the first portion. The siding fold clip is capable of engaging in a siding fold of the siding panel.

A contoured insulation sheet is provided for use beneath a plurality of siding panels that are installed on the wall. The insulation sheet comprises an insulation sheet possessing a thickness, a wall face, and a siding face. The insulation sheet further comprises a plurality of parallel channels formed in the siding face. A channel of the plurality of channels is substantially vertical and of a size to accommodate a siding attachment strip. The insulation sheet further comprises a plurality of contours formed in the siding face. A contour of the plurality of contours is substantially horizontal and substantially matches a contour of an inner surface of a predetermined siding panel.

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will be further understood from the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like parts are designated by reference numerals having the same last two digits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing a prefabricated wall including a siding attachment strip system and contoured insulation sheet according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The siding wall system as shown in FIG. 1 is prefabricated at a factory and shipped direct to a construction jobsite. The prefabricated vinyl siding wall system can be custom ordered and assembled to any wall specifications via blueprint drawings.

In a preferred embodiment, the prefabricated wall system includes vinyl siding, steel attachment strips, a foam insulation sheet, a trim adaptor for the top panel and a starter strip foundation cap for the bottom panel. The attachment strips, insulation sheet, trim adaptor and starter strip are disclosed in aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,618 incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

The prefabricated vinyl siding wall system is attached to a pre-existing wall or wall frame with screws by unzipping (i.e., opening up the wall for attaching screws and aligning with chalk line on existing wall) vinyl siding panels at the points of steel strip attachments screw holes, attaching strips with screws, aligning prefabricated wall with pre-existing wall and being able to attach vinyl siding panels back into place easily once wall system is fastened and aligned properly.

Claims

1. A prefabricated wall system for attachment to a building frame, comprising:

an insulation sheet having a contoured surface matched to a shape of siding panels, and a plurality of grooves for siding attachment strips;

a plurality of siding attachment strips mounted in said grooves;

a plurality of siding panels attached to said siding attachment strips;

a trim adaptor strip attached to a top siding panel; and

a starter foundation strip attached to a bottom siding panel;

whereby said prefabricated wall system is attachable to a building frame structure or pre-existing wall of a building.