Abstract: A panel (10, 60) applicable to siding, soffits and related construction elements used as coverings for houses, buildings and like structures includes new, improved intercooperating gripping portions (18, 28 and 62, 64) at first (16) and second (26) edges for effectively locking panels of successive courses. The gripping portion at the first edge comprises a nail hem of double thickness for nailing the panel to an adjacent structure and there is an insulative layer (66) providing a wind resistance medium.

Abstract: Asphalt composition shingles for new roofing and reroofing which provide a three dimensional appearance not unlike shake but with the characteristic lower cost and fire retarding characteristics of asphalt composition materials. The shingles may be cut from a standard roll of asphalt composition material, and are then folded to provide regions of differing thicknesses because of the differing number of thicknesses of the material in the various regions. The shingle design allows reroofing over existing shake roofs without requiring the stripping of the old roof. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A profiled insulating underboard for insulating and aligning metal or plastic siding panels is disclosed. The underboard is formed from a suitable insulating material into a sheet having one substantially flat planar surface and an opposed surface with a configuration or profile which corresponds to the inner contour or profile of the siding panel so that it will fit snugly against the inner surface of the siding when installed. Each sheet of underboard, which is received against the exterior wall surface of a building, has a series of integral projections spaced along one longitudinal edge surface so that adjacent sheets are automatically spaced from each other to permit ventilation and help prevent moisture build up once the underboard and the siding have been fixed to the exterior surface of the building.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fixing roofing tiles to a roof structure. This method includes the steps of laying a lower tile on a tiling batten, passing a fastener through a preformed hole in the lower tile and engaging the batten, laying an upper tile on the lower tile in overlapping arrangement and finally connecting the upper tile to the fastener by a suitable clip.The invention also provides a roofing tile fixing clip for securing overlapping roofing tiles to a roofing structure. The clip includes a body portion, a foot adapted to engage a fastener secured to the building structure, and a hook to engage the upper tile of the overlapped tiles.

Abstract: A thin shell of hard plastic has a cavity within which a polyurethane foam is received. Each panel includes an upper, relatively straight-line edge, two side edges at substantially 90 degrees to the upper edge, and a lower, irregular edge having the appearance of a plurality of individual roofing shakes. The upper edge is canted upwardly for receipt within a groove in the underside of an upper overlapping panel. In addition, immediately adjacent the canted upper edge, there is a bandlike section through which roofing nails may be applied for securing the panel to the roof. The undersurface of each panel includes a stepped arrangement, not unlike that encountered in a roof constructed of individual shakes, which arrangement enables a pair of such panels to be fitted together with the top surface of one panel contacting the lower surface of another panel and forming a substantially parallel surface package for storage and shipment.

Abstract: A solar energy structure which includes translucent panel members which cooperate to define a series of closed air spaces which may be generally V-shaped. Through panel configuration and interlocks the solar energy is permitted to pass through the panel structure which also serves to provide thermal insulation and drainage. In one embodiment, a panel member located between the starter panel and the flasher panel may be generally W-shaped having one sector serving as the inside air space defining surface for one closed air space and another sector serving as the outside air space defining surface for another closed air space.

Abstract: An interlocking building panel construction for the facia and roof portions of building structures wherein the fasteners for securing the panels to the building structure are positioned within enclosed batten channels and are protected from the external environment. Each panel structure includes an intermediate section for spanning the building supports and opposed interlocking edge portions. The edge portions of adjacent panel structures interlock in such manner as to define a substantially sealed, water tight batten channel that conceals and protects the fasteners and renders the joined panels structurally self-sufficient through effective distribution of loads.

Abstract: Two diametrically opposite corners of roofing tiles are cut off to provide cut-outs which are stepped in several steps so as to have at least two edge portions parallel to the side edges of the tile, said edge portions lying closely adjacent matching edge portions of diagonally adjacent tiles of the roofing with a small clearance, whereby the passage or joint formed by the opposed matching edge portions will comprise two parallel non-aligned stretches with a connecting transverse, preferably wider stretch serving as an expansion chamber.

Abstract: Shingle simulating laminated flat strip sheet material for application in horizontally extending weatherproof interlocked courses, comprising a thin, flexible underlying plastic base sheet having a self sealing asphalt mastic coating layer and a mineral granule front surface layer. The strip material has on each of its opposite faces a longitudinally extending groove adjacent to and spaced from opposite ones of its longitudinally extending edges, so that the strip material is foldable along the grooves around the edge of an adjacent folded strip edge.

Abstract: Spacing means for wall panels for preventing the buckling of said panels due to changes in climatic temperature, the panels having slotted portions along a top edge and one side thereof for receiving a flange mounted along the bottom edge and the other side of an adjacent panel, the improvement consisting of breakable spacing members extending at approximately right angle to the panel and mounted in proximity of the slotted portions whereby upon mounting one panel upon another, the spacing members of the upper panel engages and rests on the top edge of the flange of the lower panel in predetermined spaced relation to the upper edge portion of the slotted portion, said space permitting the expansion due to temperature changes of the panels without buckling same.

Abstract: A four corner joint between wall panels of the type comprising outer and inner skins connected by an insulating core, and having marginal connecting means formed along the opposite longitudinal edges of the outer skin. The outer and inner skins and the core co-terminate at the upper ends of the lower wall panels. The outer skins of the upper wall panels have lapping ends which extend downwardly beyond the lower ends of the upper wall panels and which overlap the wall panels. The marginal connecting means are substantially entirely removed along the length of the lapping ends of the upper panels to preclude interfering with the interconnection of corresponding marginal connecting means in the lower wall panels.

Abstract: An elongate panel of siding to be mounted generally horizontally on the wall of a building. This panel, which may be of thin sheet metal, has two opposing faces, constituting inside and outside faces, and upper and lower longitudinal edges. Hooks are bent down from the upper edge on the outside face of the panel and a plurality of holes are spaced below but relatively close to the upper edge of the panel for receiving fasteners to secure the panel to the wall. At the lower edge of the panel is a continuous flange bent to extend inwardly from the lower edge of the panel and having a lip bent up at its inner edge for engaging the hooks of the panel therebelow on the wall.

Abstract: A building siding panel in combination with a backer board panel which has a top beveled edge and an identically beveled bottom edge. The result of employment of a beveled edge backer board insulating panel is easier installation; the backer board panel provides complete support for the rear facing surface of the building siding along its entire rearward face; the insulating effect is superior; and lessening of installation costs since time of assembly is significantly decreased.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical tank is insulated by affixing thermal insulation panels on the side walls thereof using generally helically disposed tension elements such as wire to maintain the panels in position at least during installation.

Abstract: A method of covering a structure with a panel assembly, comprises laying on the structure a first panel which has first and second marginal ridge portions and an attachment flange extending from the first marginal ridge portion and fixing the attachment flange of the first panel to the structure by means of a fastener passing through the attachment flange. A second panel having first and second marginal ridge portions is placed in overlapping relationship over the first panel thereby to conceal by means of the second marginal ridge portion of the second panel the fixing of the attachment flange of the first panel to the structure. Fastening means are passed through the overlapping first and second marginal ridge portions at locations spaced from said structure. The overlapping marginal ridge portions are then connected together by using the fastening means.

Abstract: The roof section comprises a quadrilateral substrate and a roof covering on the top thereof. The covering comprises shingle-like roof plates, the bodies of which have a tapering cross section in one cross sectional plane thereof. The plates are arranged in at least two elongated parallel, relatively transversely offset but overlapping relatively top and bottom series. Each series has a plurality of the plates, and the plates are arranged in each series so that the bodies of the plates are staggered in overlapping relationship to one another lengthwise of the series. Also, the tapering cross sections of the plates are disposed lengthwise of the series.

Abstract: An integrally formed, interlocking siding or roofing strip assembly for covering a surface of a building. The strip includes a central panel, a lower spacing element, an upper assembly for operatively engaging the lower spacing element of another strip to be installed so as to interlock the strips in a partially overlapping manner, one above the other. The top end portion of the strip is provided with a plurality of generally vertically aligned corrugations having alternate ridge and valley portions. Fastening elements penetrate some of the valley and/or ridge portions to securely anchor the strips to the building surface. The corrugations serve (1) to compensate for expansions and contractions caused by aging and/or weather variations and (2) to continually bias the fastening elements to tightly anchor the strip to the surface in a spring-like manner thereby preventing the strips from becoming loose and eliminating noise and rattling.

Abstract: A first and a second element have respective abutting surfaces which together form an interface. One or more connecting members, such as screws, rivets or the like, connect the elements together. The juxtaposed sides of the elements are formed with respective matingly inter-engaging projections and recesses which resist forces that are being transmitted between the elements and act in the plane of the interface. The invention is especially advantageous for use in erecting trusses or arches of halls and other buildings, and in such a case the elements may be structural plates having the recesses and projections grouped about the locations of the respective connecting members.

Abstract: A simulated shingle arrangement having novel interlocking connections between adjacent shingles in the same course as well as between adjacent shingles in adjacent courses is provided. The arrangement can comprise individual shingles each having the novel interlocking connecting means as an integral part thereof, but preferably comprises elongated panels each simulating a plurality of individual shingles in side-by-side relation. As in the case of individual shingles, the novel interlocking connecting means forms an integral part of such elongated multi-shingle panels. The outer surface of the shingles can simulate the appearance of conventional shingles, such as cedar shakes, as desired.

Abstract: A molded siding member for use on buildings composed of a plurality of vertically extending panels connected side by side by intervening webs to simulate a horizontal course of spaced shingles, the member being formed along its upper margin with nail receiving recesses molded into its exterior surface to form bosses protruding inwardly a predetermined distance to engage the side of the building and thereby provide a predetermined spacing of the said upper margin outwardly from the side of the building when the member is nailed in place, the member being formed with protruding portions extending downwardly below its lower margin to form locking tongues adapted to be inserted in the space between the building and the upper margin of the next lower member to lock the lower margin of the upper member in place in readiness for a simple nailing operation at its upper margin.

Abstract: A building sheet suitable for roofing and siding use that accommodates fastening along ribs or valleys of a side lapped juncture between two sheets. Strengthening ribs formed from bends in the sheet are shaped to promote stacking, to consume little of the sheet width, and to avoid sharp bends that crack protective coatings. An anti-siphon gap is provided between each lapped and lapping rib, extending the full height of the lapped rib adjacent the lapping edge. A drain trough formed at the base of the gap carries away any water that leaks beneath the overlapping sheet. Low ribs delineate channels in which fasteners can be driven to engage an underlapped edge at a side lap juncture between sheets. A top flat surface of high ribs is narrow enough for stiffness to inhibit deformation by fasteners and restricts the fasteners to locations that avoid drain penetration at side laps.

Abstract: A joint support is adapted to be disposed beneath a joint at adjacent ends of horizontally disposed overlapping siding panels to support same and to assist in preventing the formation of a gap at said joint by virtue of inward buckling or deflection of one of the panels relative to the other. The joint support, as seen in a cross-section view taken at right angles to the longitudinal dimension of the panels in the installed condition has a wedge taper and has minimum thickness adjacent a first end which, in use, is uppermost. The opposite end of the joint support is contoured or shaped to overlie and accommodate the panel holding lip of a preceding lower panel. The first end of the joint support has an outwardly and downwardly turned portion adapted to fit over the panel holding lip or lips of the panels which the joint support, in use, underlies and the opposite end of the joint support includes shallow hook means thereon for snap fitting engagement over the holding lip of the preceding lower panel.