Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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{DESCRIPTION}
{Title}
Sheathing and Siding Hangers
{Technical Field}
{0001} This invention relates to building construction connective hardware,
such that
it is a permanently installed hanger designed to hold and support the starter
row of wall
sheathing and the starter row of most types of siding at the mud sill and
foundation and
the starter row of roof sheathing at the rafter tail-ends of a building
structure.
{Background Art} =
{0002} Currently, the installation of plywood or similar sheathing to
buildings is done
without the aid of fasteners, other than nails, in a non-uniform, labor
intensive process.
Common practice is for each sheet of sheathing to be fitted by hand and nailed
onto the
structure, requiring more than one person to complete the install. For
example, one
person holds the sheet of plywood in place as another person checks to make
sure it is
level and plumb and nails the sheathing to the framing; this slow, strenuous,
inaccurate
process continues around the whole building. A team of installers might use a
nail at the
joint between the mud sill and the foundation wall as a temporary holder for
the sheet
materials, from which they pivot the material and try to level it. However,
they sacrifice
having a good weather and insect seal at the mud sill and foundation, because
they have
not dropped the material below the mud sill far enough to protect that
opening. To get a
better weather and insect seal, the sheathing should hang below the mud sill
approximately 1", as is required by building code in some locations. This
demands that a
person(s) hold the plywood in place by either eyeballing the fit, setting up
and using a
transit, or following a pre-marked chalk line or pencil marks all along the
bottom edge of
the building, which are themselves time consuming to create and follow if the
builder
wants any sort of accuracy and conformity in the layout of his sheathing. As
the walls
are sheathed in this manner, one edge may be off its mark by as little as a
1/16" or more
inches, forcing the reinstallation of the sheathing. The sheathing hangers
will do away
with this inaccuracy, by creating a solid and level resting mount, at an
ideal,
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approximately 1" drop below the mud sill. If the sheathing is already
installed on the
building, the hangers can be used to help install the starter row of the
siding, which can
have the 1" drop, if the sheathing does not, or it can be made level with the
sheathing
using the hangers, if the sheathing is at a proper height below the mud sill.
Once set on
the hanger, the sheathing or siding can be nailed on as required. It is
envisioned that two
or more hangers will be needed to hang one sheet or piece of material,
depending on the
size or orientation of the material and the discretion of the installer. The
hangers are not
removable, but will remain on the structure and the bottom lip can be painted
or coated as
needed to finish the exterior.
{0003} Again, good building practice is to hang the wall sheathing or
siding at least
1" below the mud sill, depending on the material being installed, to help
create a good
weather and insect seal. Dry rot from improper installs of this phase of
construction is a
major cost to the consumer, in some regions, because often this practice is
not adhered to,
as it is difficult to achieve and inspect. Currently, there is no conclusive
method to verify
this application in the field without removing a portion of the work. By
introducing a
piece of hardware that affixes to the foundation and mud sill in such a way
that it creates
an approximately 1" tall, flat resting mount for hanging the sheathing or
siding materials
at the starter row, the installer, inspector or building owner can easily make
a visual
inspection of the presence of this sheathing and siding hanger and recognize
it by name
or model number, which would validate the process used and add value to the
structure.
The hangers may even be identified as an element on architectural or
engineering plans
and specifications.
{0004} The sheathing hangers can also be used at the edge of the roofline.
The
hangers would attach to the rafter tail-ends, creating a solid mount for
resting the roof
sheathing starter row, where it can then be nailed on and connected to the
remaining roof.
Current practice is to hold the sheathing in place by hand at the edge of the
roof, which is
awkward and labor intensive, as well as highly unstable and dangerous. The
hangers take
the weight of the material off the laborer, who is typically standing on a
ladder or on top
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of the roof working downward while trying to maneuver it in place by hand.
{0005}
{0006} At this time, I am not aware of any prior connective hardware or
fastener on the
market that is specifically designed and constructed for holding and
supporting the starter row
of wall sheathing and the starter row of various types of siding at the mud
sill and foundation,
nor is there such an invention for the starter row of roof sheathing at the
rafter tail-ends.
{0007} The current method of installation of the starter row of most
types of siding and the
starter row of sheathing on the walls and roofs of buildings is labor
intensive and can be
dangerous and strenuous, requiring more than one installer and extreme
exertion and time on
the part of the installers to hold the materials in place while they are being
properly aligned
and secured to the building using levels, transits, markings and nails.
Nevertheless, despite all
the effort, the current method of installing the starter row of roof and wall
sheathing and most
types of siding is still a highly inaccurate process, often requiring the
bottom edge of the
sheathing to be cut off, for example, where the bottom edges of the installed
material do not
line up. Getting the starter row installed correctly is the key to achieving
an accurate and well
aligned finished product. If the starter row is off, the rest of the project
is likely to have flaws
that will need masking later.
{Summary}
{0007a} Embodiments of this invention may hold the plywood in place instead of
the
laborer, so that the plywood may be easily nailed on the rest of the way with
highly reduced
risk of slippage. In the end, it may help create a much safer working
environment, which may
reduce the risk of injury due to objects falling off the roof and improving
worker ergonomics,
because it may create a solid edge for holding the sheathing material in place
and may help to
catch objects that are sliding off the roof by creating a limited stop edge
that previously did
not exist.
=
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{0007b} Embodiments of this invention may also be used to install the starter
row of most
types of siding, such as lap siding, cedar siding or T1-11, for examples;
thus, it is also referred
to as a siding hanger. It may be attached to the existing sheathing, making
for a uniform and
reliable mounting surface for the starting row of most types of siding. Simko
(US Patent
7,546,692) and Patera (US Patent 7,124,551), who have designed hand tools for
specific types
of siding installation rather than a single piece of connective hardware like
this invention
which can be affixed to the structure and left in place, argue that the
process of installing
siding is highly labor intensive, because of the weight and length of the
material and because
of the lack of installation aids, such that something is needed to simplify
the process and
reduce the amount of labor needed to complete the work. Their solution is a
tool; my solution
is a piece of hardware at the starter row.
{0008} According to one embodiment, there is provided a building
construction connective
hardware made of corrosion-resistant metal in a known stamping or molding
process, which
comprises a thin, flat rectangular upper arm with nail or screw holes for
attaching to an
existing building and a lower arm, approximately 1" tall, that bends at a
right angle into an L-
shaped flat resting mount with a narrow holding lip to support a piece of
sheathing or siding.
The placement of these hangers on the mud sill or the bottom of the plywood
sheathing or at
the roof rafter tail ends, depending on what it is being installed, may
provide a solid resting
mount for the wall or roof sheathing or the siding, such that these materials
may be installed
by one man without a man or men having to hold the material in place by sheer
physical effort
and without the use of measuring equipment. The hangers may bear the weight of
and hold the
sheathing or siding material at a uniform and consistent manner around the
building, so that
the material may be properly nailed on to the structure, which may reduce the
need for skilled
labor, measuring equipment and more than one installer to participate. The
hangers may also
act as a solid reference point for measurement taking, so that a cutter can
cut openings in the
sheathing or siding as needed for quick and easy install, e.g., a piece of
sheathing with a hose
bib opening or vent hole cut-out that needs to match up to the structure
accurately. The
hangers may, in some embodiments, create an easy and cost effective solution
to some or all
of the problems outlined above with this phase of construction.
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{0008a} According to another embodiment, there is provided a building
construction
connective hardware comprising: a flat, bendable, support tab containing a
nail hole
comprising a first end and a second end; a 1.5" to 3.5" tall, substantially
vertical, upper arm
comprising a first end and a second end; wherein the second end of the support
tab is
connected to the first end of the upper arm via a bend line; a 1" tall, lower
arm that tilts
forward at a 3 to 6 angle and is connected to the second end of the upper
arm and is capable
of abutting against a material being hung so that the material being hung
reclines against a
structure; a resting mount that is substantially parallel to the support tab
and in communication
with the lower arm, having a width that is greater or equal to a thickness of
a material being
hung; wherein the width of the resting mount is measured in a direction
perpendicular to the
upper arm; and wherein the lower arm and the resting mount form an L-shaped
support further
comprising a holding lip that forms a front edge for boxing the material into
the resting mount
such that the holding lip is imprinted and used for identification or
verification purposes.
{0008b} According to another embodiment, there is provided a system for
installing
sheathing or siding on a foundation mud sill comprising: a foundation
structure having a mud
sill; at least one connective hardware device attached to the mud sill with
nails or fasteners;
the at least one connective hardware device comprising: a flat, bendable,
support tab
containing a nail hole comprising a first end and a second end; a 1.5" to 3.5"
tall, substantially
vertical, upper arm comprising a first end and a second end; wherein the
second end of the
support tab is connected to the first end of the upper arm via a bend line; a
1" tall, lower arm
that tilts forward at a 3 to 6 angle and is connected to the second end of
the upper arm so that
the lower arm abuts against the sheathing or siding being hung so that the
sheathing or siding
reclines against a structure; a resting mount that is substantially parallel
to the support tab and
in communication with the lower arm, having a width that is greater or equal
to a thickness of
the sheathing or siding; wherein the width of the resting mount is measured in
a direction
perpendicular to the upper arm; and wherein the lower arm and the resting
mount form an L-
shaped support further comprising a holding lip that forms a front edge for
boxing the
sheathing or siding into the resting mount such that the holding lip is
imprinted and used for
identification or verification purposes.
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{0008c} According to another embodiment, there is provided a system for
installing siding
on a sheathed exterior of a building, comprising: a building structure having
a sheathed
exterior comprising a sheet of Oriented Standard Board or plywood sheathing;
at least one
connective hardware device attached to the sheet of sheathing with nails or
fasteners; the at
least one connective hardware device comprising: a flat, bendable, support tab
containing a
nail hole comprising a first end and a second end; a 1.5" to 3.5" tall,
substantially vertical,
upper arm comprising a first end and a second end; wherein the second end of
the support tab
is connected to the first end of the upper arm via a bend line; a 1" tall,
lower arm that tilts
forward at a 3 to 6 angle and is connected to the second end of the upper
arm so that the
lower arm abuts against the siding being hung so that the siding reclines
against the building; a
resting mount that is substantially parallel to the support tab and in
communication with the
lower arm, having a width that is greater or equal to a thickness of the
siding; wherein the
width of the resting mount is measured in a direction perpendicular to the
upper arm; and
wherein the lower arm and the resting mount form an L-shaped support further
comprising a
holding lip that forms a front edge for boxing the siding into the resting
mount such that the
holding lip is imprinted and used for identification or verification purposes.
{0008d} According to another embodiment, there is provided a system for
installing
sheathing or decking on a roof, the system comprising: a plurality of roof
rafters, each having
a tail end; at least one connective hardware device attached to the roof
rafter tail end with nails
or fasteners; the at least one connective hardware device comprising: a flat,
bendable, support
tab containing a nail hole comprising a first end and a second end; a 1.5" to
3.5" tall,
substantially vertical, upper arm comprising a first end and a second end;
wherein the second
end of the support tab is connected to the first end of the upper arm via a
bend line; a 1" tall,
lower arm that tilts forward at a 3 to 6 angle and is connected to the
second end of the upper
arm so that the lower arm abuts against the sheathing or decking being hung so
that the
sheathing or decking reclines against the roof rafter; a resting mount that is
substantially
parallel to the support tab and in communication with the lower arm, having a
width that is
greater or equal to a thickness of the sheathing or decking; wherein the width
of the resting
mount is measured in a direction perpendicular to the upper arm; and wherein
the lower arm
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and the resting mount form an L-shaped support further comprising a holding
lip that forms a
front edge for boxing the sheathing or decking into the resting mount such
that the holding lip
is imprinted and used for identification or verification purposes.
{0008e} According to another embodiment, there is provided a building
construction
connective hardware comprising: a 1.5" to 3.5" tall, substantially vertical,
upper arm
comprising a first end and a second end; and containing two vertically
centered nail holes with
one hole near the first end and one hole near the second end; a flat, bendable
support tab
comprising a first end and a second end; wherein the second end of the upper
arm is connected
to the first end of the support tab at a bend line; a 1" tall, lower arm that
tilts forward at a 3 to
6 angle and is connected to the second end of the upper arm and is capable of
abutting against
a material being hung so that the material being hung reclines against a
structure; a resting
mount that is substantially parallel to the support tab and in communication
with the lower
arm, having a width that is greater or equal to a thickness of a material
being hung; wherein
the width of the resting mount is measured in a direction perpendicular to the
upper arm; and
wherein the lower arm and the resting mount form an L-shaped support that
terminates at the
first end of the resting mount into a holding lip; such that the holding lip
forms an edge that is
capable of boxing the material being hung into the resting mount; and wherein
the holding lip
is imprinted and used for identification or verification purposes.
{0008f} According to another embodiment, there is provided a building
construction
connective hardware comprising: a 1.5" to 3.5" tall, substantially vertical
upper arm consisting
of a first end and a second end; two right triangle-shaped side arms connected
to the vertical
edges of the upper arm along the length of the side arms forming two right
angles with the
upper arm; wherein the slanted outer edges of the side arms form a surface for
reclining the
material to be hung; a substantially horizontal resting mount connected to the
second end of
the upper arm at a right angle and to the side arms along the base of each
side arm; wherein
the width of the resting mount is measured perpendicular to the upper arm and
extends past the
base of the side arms to form a support wide enough to hold the thickness of
the material to be
hung; such that the resting mount terminates into a holding lip; with the
holding lip forming an
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edge that is capable of boxing the material being hung onto the resting mount;
wherein the
holding lip is imprinted and used for identification or verification purposes.
{0009} Advantages of some embodiments of the invention may include:
(a) to aid in the installation of the starter row of wall sheathing to a
building structure at
the mud sill or foundation level;
(b) to aid in the installation of the starter row of most types of siding to a
building
structure at the mud sill or foundation level;
(c) to be a uniform, solid resting mount for hanging the starter row of wall
sheathing to a
building;
(d) to be a uniform, solid resting mount for installing the starter row of
most types of
siding to a building;
(e) to level the starter row of wall sheathing around the entire structure;
(f) to level the starter row of most types of siding around the entire
structure;
(g) to be a means for an inspecting body to verify that the sheathing or
siding is hanging at
a uniform height below the mud sill;
(h) to create a uniform, solid resting mount on the roof rafter tail-ends for
the starter row
of the roof sheathing;
(i) to reduce the amount of manpower needed to install the starter row of wall
or roof
sheathing and most types of siding to a structure, because the hangers help
support and level
the weight of the material on its edge, relieving a person(s) from having to
firmly and
accurately hold it up and in place as it is nailed on.
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(j) to create a safer and more ergonomic method of installing the starter row
of wall or
roof sheathing and siding to a structure, by taking the weight of the material
off the worker,
who would otherwise have to maintain awkward and sometimes dangerous positions
while
holding the material in place, especially on the roof;
5
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(k) to reduce the need for skilled labor and multiple installers to install
the starter row
of wall or roof sheathing and most types of siding, such that the cost to the
builder and
the homeowner are significantly reduced;
(1) to increase the longevity of the structure by improving the weather and
insect seal
at the mud sill;
(m) to improve the ability of regulating agencies to inspect the structure for
the
consistency and uniform installation of wall, roof sheathing or siding by
identifying the
use of the sheathing and siding hangers as described;
(n) to increase safety on the job by creating a stop edge on the roof line,
thus reducing
the risk of slippage of the material and potential injury;
{00010} Further advantages of my invention may become known from a review of
the
drawings and the following descriptions.
{Brief Description of Drawings)
{00011} In the drawings, separate embodiments of the invention are designated
by
Arabic numbers 1-7. "A" following an Arabic numeral, represents an embodiment
of the
hanger, uninstalled, in its primary form. "B","C", "D" or "E" following an
Arabic
numeral, if provided, are additional drawings of the embodiment as drawn in
"A", but
which illustrate the embodiment installed on a structure, or with the plywood
sheathing or
a piece of siding hanging from it on the structure as envisioned.
{00012} FIG lA shows a sheathing and siding hanger with one L-shaped resting
mount
24. .
{00013} FIG 1B shows FIG IA installed on a mud sill 50 with the optional tab
25 bent
and the lower arm 22 and resting mount 24 hanging over the foundation wall 40.
{00014} FIG 1C shows a hanger as shown in FIG lA and FIG 1B in action with a
piece of plywood 70 being held in place at the foundation 40.
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{00015} FIG 1D is a drawing of the hanger embodied in FIG lA with the optional
tab
25 unbent and attached by nails or screws to the edge of the roof rafters 60.
{00016} FIG lE illustrates how a piece of plywood 70 sits in the resting mount
24 of
FIG lA at the edge of the roof rafters 60, to provide the starting row of the
roof
sheathing. All that can be seen once the plywood 70 is set on the hanger is
the bottom
resting mount 24 and the holding lip 26.
{00017} FIG 2A is similar to FIG 1A, except that it has two upper arms 20 that
meet at
a right angle 34 and two lower arms 22, as well as two resting mounts 24, so
that the
hardware can go around the corner of the structure to join two sheets of
material together.
{00018} FIG 2B illustrates the corner hanger,attached by the bent upper tab 25
to the
mud sill 50 and hanging down over the foundation wall 40, with two resting
mounts 24 to
join material at the corner of a structure.
{00019} FIG 3A is a drawing of an embodiment of the hanger with a straight arm
20
that meets at a right angle 34 with an L-shaped resting mount 24. In the
bottom of the
straight arm 20 is an optional bottom tab 25 that can be punched out of the
arm in order
to be inserted between the mud sill and foundation or tucked under a piece of
existing
sheathing or up against the edge of a roof rafter, for examples.
{00020} FIG 3B shows FIG 3A fastened to the bottom of a piece of plywood 70
such
that the optional bottom tab 25 is tucked under the bottom edge of the plywood
sheathing
and the resting mount 24 sticks out ready to hold a piece of siding.
{00021} FIG 3C illustrates the hanger as embodied in FIG 3A and FIG 3B,
fastened to
a piece of plywood sheathing 70 attached to the wall studs 55 at the mud sill
50 and
foundation 40 on which a piece of siding rests 75. Only the holding lip 26 can
be seen.
{00022} FIG 4A shows a sheathing and siding hanger with an optional punch out
rear
tab 25 at the end of the upper arm 20 and the start of the 1" lower arm 22,
where there is
a slight bend in the hardware 32, which helps keep the material in place on
the resting
mount 24. The rear tab 25 can be inserted between the mud sill and foundation
wall or
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tucked up underneath the bottom of a piece of sheathing, so that siding can be
hung on it,
or else attached to the edge of the roof rafters for the starter row of the
roof sheathing.
{00023} FIG 4B is an example of the hanger illustrated in FIG 4A actually
attached to
the mud sill 50 with the support tab 25 inserted between the mud sill and
foundation wall
40, so that the resting mount 24 can hold a piece of sheathing.
{00024} FIG 5A illustrates a sheathing and siding hanger similar to FIG 1A,
but with
two resting mounts 24 for holding two pieces of material, i.e., one piece of
sheathing and
one piece of siding on the same hanger.
{00025} FIG 5B is a drawing of FIG 5A with the optional top support tab 25
bent over
the mud sill 50 and hanging over the foundation wall 40 with two resting
mounts 24
hanging perpendicular to the =wall for sheathing and siding installation.
{00026} FIG 6A shows a sheathing and siding hanger similar to FIG 4A with rear
tab
25 at the slight angle 32 bend where the 1" lower arm 22 starts, but with two
resting
mounts 24 for holding two sheets of material.
{00027} FIG 6B shows FIG 6A attached to the mud sill 50 and foundation 40.
{00028} FIG 7A demonstrates an alternative design of a siding hanger
comprising a
vertical, flat, rectangular arrn 20 at a right angle to the resting mount 24,
but with two
wedge shaped side arms 21 which serve as resting edges for the material,
allowing it to
lay at a slant, which is necessary for some types of siding.
={00029} FIG 7B shows how FIG 7A is mounted to the plywood sheathing 70 at the
two fastener holes 28 on the straight arm 20 between the two sides arms 21.
The siding
leans on the edge of the side arms 21, sits on the resting mount 24 and is
held in place by
the holding lip 26.
{Description of Embodiments}
{00030} There are several related embodiments to this invention as illustrated
in the
attached drawings. FIG 1A, B, C, D and E illustrate one example of this multi-
purpose
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connective hardware. FIG 2A and FIG 2B are drawings of a second example of the
invention designed for hanging material around a corner. FIG 3A, B and C show
an
example of a hanger ideal for siding, to be used when the sheathing is already
installed on
the structure. FIG 4A and FIG 4B illustrate an embodiment of the hanger, in
which a rear
tab inserts between the mud sill and the foundation, rather than on top of the
mud sill.
FIG 5A and FIG 5B, on the other hand, are drawings of an embodiment of the
hanger
with a top tab similar to that of FIG 1A, but which has two resting mounts
rather than
one. FIG 6A and 6B are examples of the hanger with a rear tab similar to that
of the
embodiment drawn in FIG 4A, but it has two resting mounts for holding two
pieces of
material. FIG 7A and 7B are illustrations of an alternative embodiment for
hanging
siding that raises the siding slightly, in cases where the siding material
needs to installed
at a slight angle away from the wall sheathing.
{00031} The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG 1A. The
hanger
is envisioned to be made of a corrosion-resistant metal such as galvanized
steel. It is
relatively flat and wide enough, approximately 1" more or less, to be affixed
to a building
structure. The hanger is made using a known stamping or molding process, which
may
or may not require some hot fusing of parts. It consists of a flat,
rectangular shaped=
upper straight arm 20, which may range in height from approximately 1.5" ¨
4.5" or
more. The hanger is envisioned to be fastened to the structure using nails or
screws at the
holes 28. There is an optional top support tab 25 created by a punch out in
the material,
so that the tab can be bent at a right angle 34 to the upper arm 20. Unbent it
allows the
hanger to be installed as needed as a leveler, secured perhaps at varied
height along the
structure's edge, so that it will level the sheathing if the foundation itself
is not level or
level the siding if the existing sheathing is uneven. The sheathing hanger,
unbent, can
also be used to help install the starter row of the roof sheathing at the
rafter tail-ends.
The hangers help hold the sheathing in place at the edge of the roof,
providing added
support and helping to create a more even roof edge. The versatility of this
piece as an
adjustable leveling device makes it a highly useful hardware additive on a
variety of
projects, giving it true industrial value. Bent over, the top tab 25 sits
firmly on the top of
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the mud sill 50, creating added support to the fasteners 28. The hanger has a
slight bend
32, which starts the lower arm 22, which is approximately' l" tall in this
embodiment.
This bend allows enough slant to the material to be hung that it can sit
easily in the
resting mount 24, using gravity rather than fighting it, as a man would have
to do if
holding the material in place. This will allow for ease and efficiency of nail-
off. There is
a right angle bend 34 at the bottom of the lower arm 22, forming an L-shaped
horizontal
resting mount 24, .which can range in width depending on the thickness of the
material
being installed, i.e., 1/4", 'A" or 5/8". The hanger is edged with a narrow
holding lip 26,
which is at a right angle 34 to the resting mount 24, such that it creates a
minimal but
effective holding ledge for the material, which can also be easily identified
by an
inspecting body looking for code or safety compliance. Because the hardware
remains on
the building, this lip 26 and the bottom of the resting mount 24 can later be
painted or
covered over to match the exterior as needed.
{00032} Meantime, additional and alternative embodiments suited to the novel
idea of
sheathing and siding hangers for the starter row have been illustrated in
Figures 2A, 3A,
4A, 5A, 6A and 7A. These drawings emphasize a range of possible shapes and
support
features for adapting this invention to an industrially useful product in a
variety of
scenarios. However, even the additional and alternative embodiments listed and
described do not constitute the full range of possible designs, measurements
or materials
which could be used to fulfill the objectives and means of this novel idea.
={00033} These embodiments may ideally be made of galvanized steel or zinc
plated
galvanized steel for use with pressure treated wood products, both of which
are common
and familiar materials for construction hardware and are cost effective for
the end user,
encouraging its use on the building. The metal embodiments of this invention
should
have nominal thickness of about .04" or 20 gauge. However, other materials of
a durable
and corrosion-resistant nature could also be suited to this invention.
Different
thicknesses or gauges of material might be specified. In addition, the overall
shape of the
invention should not be limited by these drawings, such that various parts may
be shorter,
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longer, have more curvature, greater or lesser width, or different thicknesses
in order to
serve this application for a particular structure.
{00034} The sheathing and siding hangers as described in the above
illustrations and
descriptions of the preferred, additional and alternative embodiments are easy
to install
on the building structure by using nails or other fasteners such as screws in
the built-in
fastener holes 28. The hangers can also be secured on to the structure by
inserting or
nailing on the support tabs 25 as designed in the embodiments.
{00035} Figures 1A, 3A, 4A and 7A are designed to help hold one sheet or piece
of
material at a time. Figures 5A and 6A are capable of holding two layers of
sheet
materials at once. Figure 2A is a corner mount that joins two sheets of
sheathing or
siding at right angles to each other.
{00036} The hangers are independently installed around the structure. Properly
spaced
to provide maximum support, there may be two or more hangers per sheet or
piece of
material, depending on its size or orientation and the discretion of the
installer.
{00037} The above descriptions describe many possible embodiments and a solid
range of advantages and objectives of this hanger, but these alone should not
limit the
scope of this invention. The hanger could have other shapes, additional nail
or screw
holes, multiple tabs, various measurements, or be made of alternative
materials such as
plastic or other metals beyond what has been described or recommended. Even
the uses
as detailed above should not limit this invention, such that these sheathing
and siding
hangers may be capable of other means and functions.
{Industrial Applicability}
{00038} The reader can determine from the written descriptions and
illustrations of the
various embodiments that the invention is a connective hardware that aids in
the
installation of the starter row of wall sheathing and siding at the mudsill
and foundation,
as well as the installation of the starter row of roof sheathing at the rafter
tail-ends, which
is critical to the proper alignment and accuracy of the remainder of the
sheathing or
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siding on the building. The hangers create a level resting mount for the wall
or roof
sheathing and the siding on a building, such that the finished building has a
more even
edge than could otherwise be achieved without it. The hangers have a
prefabricated flat
mount that achieves a drop below the mud sill, which allows the sheathing or
siding to be
installed easily in a weather protective, insect retardant manner. In some
areas of the
country, this drop is a building code requirement, which is currently
unverifiable without
removing the sheathing to inspect. Thus, the hangers are capable of creating
an improved
level of uniformity, protection, and confirmation that previously did not
exist.
{00039} Specifically, the industrial applicability of this novel invention is
determined
by the following attributes:
(a) The hangers provide a holding support for the starter row of wall and
roof
sheathing and most types of siding on a building other than nails;
(b) The hangers provide a flat surface for holding the starter row of wall
and roof
sheathing and most types of siding in an consistent and level manner around
the structure;
(c) The hangers can be used with a variety of sheathing or siding products;
it is not
specific to one brand or type of sheet materials, making it useful on a large
number of
building projects.
(d) The hangers are independent of the building and can be spaced as needed
by the
installer to provide a consistent and uniform support for the sheathing and
siding
materials being installed;
(e) Sheathing and siding is normally installed using only nails. This new
application adds the hangers to the equation, such that the sheathing, siding
or sheet
materials are held on to the building by the hangers as well as by the nails.
In addition,
the hangers provide a solid mount for the material being installed that
otherwise did not
exist, such that the finished sheathing or siding product is more securely
fastened and,
therefore, the building could enjoy a longer life with the presence of the
hangers.
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(f) The hangers help achieve a solid covering, at the mud sill and foundation,
helping
reduce the risk of dry rot or insect invasion, by dropping the sheathing or
siding
approximately 1" below the line where the mud sill and foundation meet;
(g) The hangers are easy to attach to an existing structure by using the built-
in
support tabs and fastener holes;
(h) The hangers do not require specialized knowledge to use;
(i) The hangers are made of a known stamping or molded metal, such that it
does not
require new technology or unfamiliar fabrication methods in order to be
manufactured for
large scale use;
(j) The hangers are to be made of materials commonly used in the building
industry,
which are appropriate for this application, such as zinc coated galvanized
steel, making it
a cost effective solution to the problem;
(k) The hangers are to be made to specifications that fall within the
recommendations
of the International Building Code;
(1) The hangers make it possible for an installer or inspector, especially in
areas
where this building code or considered good building practice, to verify the
height below
the mud sill that the wall sheathing or siding hangs, because the holding lip
can be
visually seen at the bottom of the sheathing;
(m)The hangers by design can both hold and level the sheathing and siding at
their
starter rows if properly installed, before the materials are being nailed on
to the structure,
such that it reduces a multi-person task to a single person task and in far
less time;
(n) The hangers provide ergonomic relief to the laborer and add a key safety
factor to
the process by taking the weight of the material off the man and by holding it
in place
accurately for nail-off, reducing the risk of slippage and injury,
particularly on the roof.
(o) At the same time, the sheathing and siding hangers should not be limited
by these
uses. The hangers may be useful for other applications, such as hanging fence
planks or
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lattice, or supporting wall hangings such as flower boxes, bulletin boards, or
shelving, as
further examples of broader use.
{Reference Numerals in Drawings}
{00040}
20 upper straight arm
21 side arm
22 lower arm
24 resting mount
25 bendable support tab
26 holding lip
28 fastener hole
30 optional 90 bend
32 slight bend, 3 -6
34 900 right angle
40 foundation wall
50 mud sill
55 wall stud
60 roof rafter or truss
65 upper plate
70 osb or plywood sheathing
75 siding
