Siding panel and support strip assembly and method of production
First Claim
1. A method of continuously producing a series of elongated siding panels each having an attached longitudinally extending support strip, comprising the steps of forming a continuous support strip and a continuous siding panel each having a predetermined cross-sectional profile, notching and cutting a longitudinal portion of the siding panel and a longitudinal portion of the support strip to form longitudinally spaced slots and corresponding hook-shaped tabs with the slots being longer than the tabs, inserting the tabs into the slots to form positive connections of the support strip to the siding panel, and cutting the panel and support strip transversely at longitudinally spaced intervals to form a series of elongated siding panels and connected corresponding support strips with the connections providing for limited longitudinal movement of each siding panel relative to its corresponding support strip.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An elongated siding panel and a longitudinally extending panel attachment and support strip have overlapping edge portions with longitudinally spaced slots receiving corresponding hook-shaped tabs to form loose positive connections. The slots have a length longer than the tabs to provide for limited longitudinal movement of the panel relative to the support strip. The panel and strip are preferably formed from an extruded flat strip of semi-rigid plastics material, and the continuously formed panel and support strip are progressively notched and punched at longitudinally spaced intervals to form the slots and tabs and expansion slots. The notched and punched support strip is progressively severed from the panel, twisted on a longitudinal axis, and the tabs are progressively inserted into the slots for hooking the overlapping edge portion of the panel. The upper portion of the support strip is generally flat with longitudinally spaced holes for receiving fasteners, and the notches extend to the upper portion of the support strip. The expansion slots and notches permit the support strip to expand and contract without pulling on the fastener.
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Citations
14 Claims
- 1. A method of continuously producing a series of elongated siding panels each having an attached longitudinally extending support strip, comprising the steps of forming a continuous support strip and a continuous siding panel each having a predetermined cross-sectional profile, notching and cutting a longitudinal portion of the siding panel and a longitudinal portion of the support strip to form longitudinally spaced slots and corresponding hook-shaped tabs with the slots being longer than the tabs, inserting the tabs into the slots to form positive connections of the support strip to the siding panel, and cutting the panel and support strip transversely at longitudinally spaced intervals to form a series of elongated siding panels and connected corresponding support strips with the connections providing for limited longitudinal movement of each siding panel relative to its corresponding support strip.
- 8. A method of continuously producing elongated siding panels having attached corresponding longitudinally extending support strips, comprising the steps of forming a continuous support strip and a continuous siding panel each having a predetermined cross-sectional profile, notching and cutting a longitudinal portion of the siding panel and a longitudinal portion of the support strip to form longitudinally spaced interconnecting portions, successively connecting the interconnecting portions to form longitudinally spaced supports for the siding panel from the support strip by the interconnecting portions, and cutting the panel and support strip transversely at longitudinally spaced intervals to form a series of elongated siding panels and connected corresponding support strips with each of the interconnecting portions providing for predetermined and limited longitudinal movement of the corresponding siding panel relative to each corresponding support strip member.
Specification