MOUNTING CLIP

Abstract

A clip for attaching overlapping siding boards to the wall of a structure includes a rearward hook having a top horizontal flange with a forward portion and a rearward portion, and a rearward vertical flange with a top portion and a bottom portion. The rearward portion of the top horizontal flange connects with the top portion of the rearward vertical flange. A body portion connects with the forward portion of the top horizontal flange. A forward hook has a bottom horizontal flange with a forward portion and a rearward portion, and a forward vertical flange having a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion of the forward vertical flange connects with the forward portion of the bottom horizontal flange. The rearward portion of the bottom horizontal flange connects with the body portion. A catch extends downwardly from the bottom horizontal flange.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

This invention relates to a mounting clip for aiding in the installation of siding, and specifically to aiding in the mounting of siding on structures in a uniform manner

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention includes a clip for attaching overlapping siding boards to the wall of a structure having a rearward hook having a top horizontal flange with a forward portion and a rearward portion, and a rearward vertical flange with a top portion and a bottom portion. The rearward portion of the top horizontal flange connects with the top portion of the rearward vertical flange. A body portion connects with the forward portion of the top horizontal flange. A forward hook has a bottom horizontal flange with a forward portion and a rearward portion, and a forward vertical flange has a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion of the forward vertical flange connects with the forward portion of the bottom horizontal flange. The rearward portion of the bottom horizontal flange connects with the body portion. A catch extends downwardly from the bottom horizontal flange.

Another aspect of the present invention is in a clip for lapping siding boards which has a first rearward hook having a rearward vertical flange with a top portion and a bottom portion, and a top horizontal flange with a forward portion and a rearward portion. The rearward portion of the horizontal flange connects with the top portion of the vertical flange, and a body portion extends downwardly and connects with the forward portion of the horizontal flange. An improvement includes a forward hook having a forward horizontal flange with a forward portion and a rearward portion, and a forward vertical flange having a top portion and a bottom portion wherein the bottom portion of the vertical flange connects with the forward portion of the forward horizontal flange and wherein the rearward portion of the forward horizontal flange connects with the body portion. A catch extends downwardly from the bottom horizontal flange of the forward hook. A protuberance extends upwardly from the top horizontal flange.

Yet another aspect of the present invention includes securing a first siding board to a vertical wall of a structure and providing a clip with a rearward hook, a body portion, a forward hook and a catch extending outwardly from a bottom portion of the forward hook. An upwardly extending protuberance is provided on the rearward hook. The rearward hook is placed on a top side of the first siding board. A second siding board rests on the forward hook and the second siding board is secured in place. Force is applied to the catch without the aid of a tool, and the clip is broken at a predetermined location as a result of the applied force.

These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the mounting clip of the present invention during use;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the mounting clip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the mounting clip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the mounting clip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the mounting clip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is top elevational view of the mounting clip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom elevational view of the mounting clip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the mounting clip of FIG. 1 after installation on a lower siding board but prior to engagement with an upper siding board;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the mounting clip of FIG. 1 after installation on a lower siding and engagement with an upper siding board;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the mounting clip of FIG. 1 after installation on a lower siding board and after separating the mounting clip at a break line;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the mounting clip of FIG. 1 after installation on a lower siding board and after removing a portion of the mounting clip from under the siding board;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a mounting clip;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the mounting clip of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of the mounting clip of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a rear elevational view of the mounting clip of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is top elevational view of the mounting clip of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 17 is a bottom elevational view of the mounting clip of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “rear”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the reference numeral 10 generally designates a clip for attaching overlapping siding boards 12a, 12b to the wall 13 of a structure and includes a rearward hook 14 having a top horizontal flange 16 with a forward portion 18 and a rearward portion 20, and a rearward vertical flange 22 with a top portion 24 and a bottom portion 26. The rearward portion 20 of the top horizontal flange 16 connects with the top portion 24 of the rearward vertical flange 22. A body portion 28 connects with the forward portion 18 of the top horizontal flange 16. A forward hook 30 has a bottom horizontal flange 32 with a forward portion 34 and a rearward portion 36, and a forward vertical flange 38 having a top portion 40 and a bottom portion 42. The bottom portion 42 of the forward vertical flange 38 connects with the forward portion 34 of the bottom horizontal flange 32. The rearward portion 36 of the bottom horizontal flange 32 connects with the body portion 28. A catch 44 extends downwardly from the bottom horizontal flange 32.

Referring now to FIG. 3-7, an aperture 50 is provided below the forward portion 34 of the bottom horizontal flange 32. The aperture 50 may be used to receive a tool, such as a screwdriver, and assist in pulling off the catch 44 and body portion 28. A first breakage line 52 is located at the forward portion 18 of the top horizontal flange 16. A second breakage line 54 is located at rearward portion 20 of the top horizontal flange 16. An upwardly extending protuberance 55 is located between the first breakage line 52 and the second breakage line 54. The protuberance 55 adds support to the top horizontal flange 16 and prevents the rearward hook 14 from being pulled out of contact with the top of the siding board 12b by a user. An angled lip 56 is located on the upper portion 40 of the forward vertical flange 38 of the forward hook 30 and is designed to aid in sliding the top siding board 12b into position onto the forward hook 30. The width of the clip 10 is generally the same throughout the clip 10.

As shown in FIG. 8, the rearward hook 14 of the clip 10 is slid onto a top edge 57 of the bottom siding board 12a, after the bottom siding board 12a has been secured to the wall 13. The body portion 28 of the clip 10 hangs over the bottom siding board 12a adjacent thereto. The forward hook 30 of the clip 10 is then ready to receive the top siding board 12b. The top siding board 12b is slid into the forward hook 30 of the clip 10, as shown in FIG. 9. Next, the top siding board 12b is fastened to the wall 13 such that support by the clip 10 is no longer necessary.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, the top horizontal flange 16 is designed to break at one of the first breakage line 52 and the second breakage line 54. The application shearing of force in the direction of arrow 60 causes stress in the breakage lines 52, 54, until the shearing force overcomes the structural integrity at one of the first breakage line 52 or the second breakage line 54 of the clip 10, thereby causing the clip 10 to break at either the first breakage line 52 or the second breakage line 54. Whether the break occurs at the first breakage point 52 or the second breakage point 54 will depend on the size and thickness of the siding boards 12a, 12b. In the event the rearward hook 14 begins to rotate off of the bottom siding board 12a, then the protuberance 55 abuts the back of siding board 12b thus preventing the entire clip 10 from being pulled out from behind siding board 12a.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-17, an alternative embodiment of a clip 70 is shown. The clip 70 includes a rearward hook 72 having a top flange 74 with a forward portion 76 and a rearward portion 78, and a rearward flange 80 with a top portion 82 and a bottom portion 84. The rearward portion 78 of the top flange 74 connects with the top portion 82 of the rearward flange 80. The top flange 74 includes an upwardly extending protuberance 86 adjacent a thin breakage line 88. The thin breakage line 88 attaches the top flange 74 to a body portion 90, but provides very little cantilevered support to the rearward hook 72, as is evident in FIGS. 12 and 13, which show the rearward hook 72 tipping inwardly toward the body portion 90 due to lack of support by the thin breakage line 88. The bottom portion 84 of the rearward flange 80 includes a bulbous distal lip 91 that extends perpendicular to the planar extent of the rearward flange 80. The bulbous distal tip 91 aids in preventing the rearward flange 80 from becoming dislodged after installation.

Referring again to FIGS. 12-17, the upwardly extending protuberance 86 adds rigidity to the rearward hook 72 and prevents the rearward hook 72 from being pulled out from behind the siding. A forward hook 92 has a bottom horizontal flange 94 with a forward portion 96 and a rearward portion 98, and a forward vertical flange 100 having a top portion 102 and a bottom portion 104. The top portion 102 includes a lip 106 that tips outwardly slightly to aid in receiving the bottom of siding board 12b. The bottom portion 104 of the forward vertical flange 100 connects with the forward portion 96 of the bottom horizontal flange 94. The rearward portion 98 of the bottom horizontal flange 94 connects with the body portion 90. A catch 108 extends downwardly from the bottom horizontal flange 94. The distal end 110 of the catch 108 is nearly parallel with the longitudinal extent of the body portion 90.

The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above is merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents.

Claims

1. A clip for lapping siding boards comprising:

a first rearward hook having a rearward vertical flange with a top portion and a bottom portion, and a top horizontal flange with a forward portion and a rearward portion, wherein the rearward portion of the horizontal flange connects with the top portion of the vertical flange; a body portion which extends downwardly and connects with the forward portion of the horizontal flange;

a forward hook having a forward horizontal flange with a forward portion and a rearward portion, and a forward vertical flange having a top portion and a bottom portion wherein the bottom portion of the vertical flange connects with the forward portion of the forward horizontal flange and wherein the rearward portion of the forward horizontal flange connects with the body portion; and

a catch extending downwardly from the bottom horizontal flange.

2. The clip of claim 1, further comprising:

a forward breakage line disposed proximate the forward portion of the top horizontal flange.

3. The clip of claim 2, further comprising:

an upwardly extending protuberance disposed adjacent the forward breakage line.

4. The clip of claim 3, wherein the top portion of the forward vertical flange includes an angled lip designed to aid in sliding a siding board into position onto the forward hook.

5. The clip of claim 4, further comprising:

a bulbous distal tip disposed on the bottom portion of the rearward vertical flange.

6. The clip of claim 1, further comprising:

an upwardly extending protuberance disposed adjacent the forward breakage line.

7. The clip of claim 1, wherein the top portion of the forward vertical flange includes an angled lip designed to aid in sliding a siding board into position onto the forward hook.

8. The clip of claim 1, further comprising:

a bulbous distal tip disposed on the bottom portion of the rearward vertical flange.

9. In a clip for lapping siding boards including a first rearward hook having a rearward vertical flange with a top portion and a bottom portion, and a top horizontal flange with a forward portion and a rearward portion, wherein the rearward portion of the horizontal flange connects with the top portion of the vertical flange, and a body portion which extends downwardly and connects with the forward portion of the horizontal flange, the improvement comprising:

a forward hook having a forward horizontal flange with a forward portion and a rearward portion, and a forward vertical flange having a top portion and a bottom portion wherein the bottom portion of the vertical flange connects with the forward portion of the forward horizontal flange and wherein the rearward portion of the forward horizontal flange connects with the body portion;

a catch extending downwardly from the bottom horizontal flange of the forward hook; and

a protuberance extending upwardly from the top horizontal flange.

10. The clip of claim 9, further comprising:

a breakage line adjacent the protuberance.

11. The clip of claim 10, wherein the top portion of the forward vertical flange includes an angled lip designed to aid in sliding a siding board into position onto the forward hook.

12. The clip of claim 11, further comprising:

a bulbous distal tip disposed on the bottom portion of the rearward vertical flange

13. The clip of claim 9, wherein the top portion of the forward vertical flange includes an angled lip designed to aid in sliding a siding board into position onto the forward hook.

14. The clip of claim 9, further comprising:

a bulbous distal tip disposed on the bottom portion of the rearward vertical flange

15. A method for lapping siding boards, the method comprising:

securing a first siding board to a vertical wall of a structure;

providing a clip with a rearward hook, a body portion, a forward hook and a catch extending outwardly from a bottom portion of the forward hook;

providing an upwardly extending protuberance on the rearward hook;

placing the rearward hook on a top side of the first siding board;

resting a second siding board on the forward hook;

securing the second siding board in place;

applying force to the catch without the aid of a tool; and

breaking the clip at a predetermined location as a result of the applied force.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

installing a breakage line on the rearward hook.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

extending a bulbous distal tip from the rearward hook.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

extending an angled lip portion on the forward hook.