SIDING JOINERY
A panel system includes elongated panels coupled together at a seam portion with respective interlocking portions at corresponding vertical ends to provide a substantially planar surface. In siding panel systems, joined siding panels are provided in vertically arranged rows that further couple together along adjacent horizontal edges of the respective rows of siding panels.
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The present application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/650,102 filed on May 22, 2012, and is a Continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/847,087 filed on Mar. 19, 2013, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent app. Ser. No. 12/750,065 filed on Mar. 30, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,402,707, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/299,383 filed on Jan. 29, 2010, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to panel systems, such as generally flat sections used in building, construction and other applications, including in walls, siding, flooring, tiling, shelving, furniture and like. In non-limiting embodiments the present invention provides a system of interlocking siding panels and a method of making interlocking siding panels.
2. Description of Related Art
Vinyl and metal siding panels, such as those used to cover the exterior of a building, generally are formed as single lap panels that extend horizontally across the building. In cases where a single panel is not long enough to extend across an entire surface of a building, multiple panels may be positioned horizontally adjacent to one another. Horizontally adjacent siding panels may overlap one another, such as when the siding panels are thin or hollow, or may be fastened with their ends in an abutting arrangement such as with a bracket or shim.
Once installed, the siding panels may tend to expand or contract horizontally as the ambient temperature changes. This expansion and contraction may cause irregularities in the seam section between two adjacent panels. For example, if adjacent abutting panels expand, the ends of the adjacent panels may expand toward each other, causing them to deflect away from the building at the seam section. If adjacent abutting panels contract, the ends of the panels may draw away from each other, resulting in a gap at the seam section. The gapping created by expansion or contraction of the siding panels may leave openings that can be unsightly, and leave the siding and building surface susceptible to damage from the elements.
In siding panel assemblies having overlapping end portions, the overlapping portion typically is left unfastened, so that the individual panels may expand and contract without causing bulging or gapping. However, the overlapping region leaves an undesirable visible seam. In addition, the gap between the two overlapping sections allows water, air, and insects to pass which may cause damage to the siding panels or the underlying building surface. Furthermore, where the overlapping region is unfastened, the ends of the siding panels can separate, further exacerbating these issues.
In siding panel assemblies having abutting siding panels, additional connectors and similar devices have been used to prevent movement and separation of the ends of the siding panels. However, the use of separate connector pieces complicates the installation and assembly of the siding panels.
The description herein of certain advantages and disadvantages of known methods and devices is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Indeed, the present embodiments may include some or all of the features described above without suffering from the same disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn view of the foregoing, it is a feature of the embodiments described herein to provide a system of panels that provides an improved end-to-end seam section with the outer surfaces of the joined panels providing a generally planar surface. In various embodiments, adjacent panels in a siding system may overlap and interlock at a seam section in a secure fashion. Once interlocked, the siding panels may expand and contract without causing a bulge or gap at the seam section. One benefit of siding panel assembly may be that the expansion and contraction associated with the individual siding panels is transferred to the ends of the assembly, rather than the end of each individual siding panel. Another benefit of the siding panel assembly of the embodiments is that it allows for a smoother seam between individual panels, so that it is less apparent from all viewing angles, unlike vinyl siding where the pieces are overlapped, to allow for expansion and contraction.
In embodiments of the invention, a variety of geometries may be provided at the respective ends of adjacent panels (i.e. joints), including without limitation interlocking laps or overlapped ends, tongue and groove ends and butt joints.
In some embodiments adjacent siding ends may by locked by friction fit and/or shape-driven mechanical fit. In various other embodiments the joints may include, without limitation, one or more of frictional fits, shaped mechanical fits, adhesives, mechanical fasteners, welds, melt-bonds and magnets.
These and other exemplary embodiments and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the various exemplary embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSThe following description is intended to convey a thorough understanding of the embodiments by providing a number of specific embodiments and details involving a siding panel assembly. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to these specific embodiments and details, which are exemplary only. It is further understood that one possessing ordinary skill in the art, in light of known devices, systems and methods, would appreciate the use of the invention for its intended purposes and benefits in any number of alternative embodiments.
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As used herein, the terms “horizontal” and “vertical” are not intended to be limited to a specific orientation and reflect generally perpendicular sides, edges or ends with respect to one another. The references of “horizontal” and “vertical” as describing one embodiment of the invention are intended to continue to reference the respective edge, side or end in other embodiments where a panel 110 or panel system 100 is provided in another orientation relative to the ground or horizon.
In the various exemplary embodiments, the siding panel systems 100 and their components may be made from solid or foamed polymers, such as vinyl or cellular PVC. However, the embodiments are not so limited. The siding panel systems 100 and their components may be made from any known or later developed material used for siding panels including, but not limited to, wood, aluminum, steel and other metals, polymer materials, plastics, masonry, stone, brick, concrete, composites and combinations thereof. Panels of various materials may be shaped by extrusion, milling, molding, and the like. One having ordinary skill in the art would understand how to apply the teachings of various materials and panel manufacturing methods to various embodiments of the invention.
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In the preceding specification, various preferred exemplary embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional exemplary embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the invention as may be set forth in such patent claims as may be based on this application and specification. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.
Claims
1. A panel system comprising a pair of panels coupled by a coupling means at adjacent vertical ends of a first panel of the pair of panels and a second panel of the pair of panels, wherein an outer surface of the first panel and an outer surface of the second panel together provide a substantially planar row outer surface, wherein the coupling means interlocks the panels as a single composite panel, wherein the composite panel moves horizontally as a single unit during shifting, contraction or expansion.
2. The panel system of claim 1, wherein the coupling means is a first rectangular projection adjacent a first rectangular receiving groove on the vertical end of the first panel coupled to a complimentary first rectangular projection adjacent a first rectangular receiving groove on the vertical end of the second panel.
3. The panel system of claim 1, wherein the coupling means is a first non-perpendicular parallelogram projection adjacent a first non-perpendicular parallelogram receiving groove on the vertical end of the first panel coupled to a complimentary first non-perpendicular parallelogram projection adjacent a first non-perpendicular parallelogram receiving groove on the vertical end of the second panel.
4. The panel system of claim 1, wherein the coupling means is a first rectangular projection adjacent a first rectangular receiving groove on the vertical end of the first panel coupled to a complimentary first retractable projection adjacent a first receiving groove on the vertical end of the second panel.
5. The panel system of claim 1, wherein the coupling means is a saw-tooth flange projection on the vertical end of the first panel coupled by an adhesive to a complimentary saw-tooth flange projection on the vertical end of the second panel.
6. The panel system of claim 1, wherein the coupling means is an arrow-head shaped projection on the vertical end of the first panel coupled to a complimentary receiving recess on the vertical end of the second panel.
7. The panel system of claim 1, wherein the coupling means is an ratcheted tongue-shaped projection on the vertical end of the first panel coupled to a complimentary ratcheted tongue-shaped recess on the vertical end of the second panel.
8. The panel system of claim 1, wherein the coupling means is a tongue projection on the vertical end of the first panel coupled by an adhesive to a complimentary groove recess on the vertical end of the second panel.
9. The panel system of claim 1, wherein the coupling means is a first lap flange projection on the vertical end of the first panel coupled by an adhesive to a complimentary first lap flange projection on the vertical end of the second panel.
10. The panel system of claim 1, wherein the coupling means is a first lap flange projection on the vertical end of the first panel coupled by a mechanical cleat including barbs to a complimentary first lap flange projection on the vertical end of the second panel, wherein the barbs of the mechanical cleat deform adjacent surfaces of the first lap flange projection of the first panel and first lap flange projection of the second panel.
11. The panel system of claim 1, wherein the coupling means is a mechanical cleat coupled to parallel outer surfaces of both a first panel and a second panel of the pair of panels, wherein the barbs of the mechanical cleat deform the outer surfaces of the first panel and the second panel.
12. The panel system of claim 1, wherein the coupling means is selected from the group consisting of adhesives, welds, mechanical fasteners, melt-bonds, and magnets.
Type: Application
Filed: May 21, 2013
Publication Date: Oct 3, 2013
Applicant: Royal Mouldings, Limited (Marion, VA)
Inventors: Brian L. STAFFORD (Bristol, VA), Steven A. MITCHELL (Chilhowie, VA), Brandon NADLER (Abingdon, VA), Michel BOULANGER (St. Bruno)
Application Number: 13/898,539
International Classification: E04F 13/08 (20060101);