CA2511742A1 - Multi-application siding accessory and method of use - Google Patents
Multi-application siding accessory and method of use Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2511742A1 CA2511742A1 CA 2511742 CA2511742A CA2511742A1 CA 2511742 A1 CA2511742 A1 CA 2511742A1 CA 2511742 CA2511742 CA 2511742 CA 2511742 A CA2511742 A CA 2511742A CA 2511742 A1 CA2511742 A1 CA 2511742A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- siding
- accessory
- collar
- opening
- sized
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F13/00—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F19/00—Other details of constructional parts for finishing work on buildings
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
- H02G3/02—Details
- H02G3/04—Protective tubing or conduits, e.g. cable ladders or cable troughs
- H02G3/0425—Plinths
Abstract
A siding accessory for finishing an opening in siding. The siding accessory has a middle portion sized and shaped for engaging a service of a building extending from a wall through the siding opening and an outer periphery around said middle portion. The outer periphery includes a siding engaging portion sized and shaped to conform with a first sized siding and a removable collar which engages with the siding engaging portion at one end and has a second siding engaging portion which is sized and shaped to conform with a second sized siding at the other end. Thus, the siding accessory fits to at least two sizes of siding by adding or removing the collar.
Description
Title: Multi-Application Siding Accessory and Method of Use FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of building products and specifically to products used on the exterior of a building. More particularly this invention relates to products used in association with exterior cladding materials and in particular exterior siding, which products are generally called trim or siding accessories. Most particularly such siding accessories are of the type which act as trim elements suited for finishing openings which are formed in exterior siding for utilities, building services or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Buildings are typically clad with a weather resistant exterior. Many different types of cladding are used, but one which is relatively common is exterior siding. Originally siding was composed of overlapped planks or boards, but over time more durable and less expensive alternatives were developed. For example, aluminum siding was developed which imitated the appearance of the lapped wood siding, but because it was aluminum, it did not deteriorate as quickly as wood. By using a single large sheet bent to look like siding the installation was simpler and less expensive. Then, various other materials were successfully developed including plastic such as PVC or vinyl, and such exterior siding formed from such material is also now in widespread use.
Such siding is provided in relatively large sheets which are molded in the shape of lapped wood siding. One sheet might include several plank widths. These sheets are then positioned and attached to the exterior of a building and form a weather resistant and decorative exterior. However, various exterior building services are required and so at various locations, specific to the particular house or building being covered with such siding, access must be obtained through the siding to the underlying wall. Some of these services and utilities include: hose bibs, dryer vents, exterior light mounts, as well as cable, hydro, gas, electrical boxes and ventilation openings. All such services require a hole in the siding, and a trim or siding accessory to finish the hole or opening in the siding.
One popular form of siding accessory is of the type that directly attaches to the building, and to which the siding abuts up against. Typically this type of accessory includes an exterior trim flange to cover the cut edges of the siding formed around the opening. Thus, the siding abuts the body of the siding accessory which includes an overhanging trim ring. Another type of siding accessory sits on the outside of the siding and is attached to the wall through the siding. The body of the accessory is large enough and the hole in the siding is small enough that the accessory completely covers the hole to hide the rough cut edges of the siding around the hole.
A difficulty with this latter type of siding accessory is to get a close fit of the siding accessory over the siding, due to the stepped nature of the siding. A close fit is desired to be able to provide a good seat between the accessory and the siding such as by caulking or the like for weather protection. The caulking is required to prevent moisture from running in under the accessory and then through the opening in the siding made for the building service. To get a close fit in the past, siding accessories were provided with a siding engaging edge on the siding accessory which included steps which were sized and shaped to match the steps in the siding. In this way the siding accessory could be fitted over the stepped siding and then a bead of caulking or the like could be applied to the edge to seal the siding/accessory interface. Examples of such stepped accessories can be found in the following U.S. patents Nos.: 4,229,916;
5,000,409; 5,775,032; 4,635,168; Re. 35,083; and 4,875,317.
However, a problem with this approach is that siding comes in various styles, in which the different styles have different step sizes. There are at least three different sizes which are in common use. Each size of siding is characterized by a unique size, spacing and even shape of siding step.
Thus, an accessory made according to the prior art and suitable for one type of siding will not at all fit a different type of siding having a different height step, step spacing or step shape. Thus, separate siding accessories must be molded and stocked for each unique size of siding. This can be frustrating for consumers and merchants alike, as so many different components are required to cover all of the different circumstances.
Manufacturers must make multiple molds and must mold the correct number of each type of siding accessory. Consumers must know what size is required and can be easily frustrated as the siding cannot be brought to store to make sure the fit is correct. What is desired is a way to overcome these difficulties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a simple and yet effective single siding accessory which has a siding surface engaging portion which may be closely fitted to a number of different sizes and shapes of lapped siding sizes. The present invention is adaptable to at least two and preferably three different shapes and spacings of the lapped steps, meaning that only one accessory is required for the three main types of siding. The present invention is made from a suitable moldable material and is a reasonably low cost article to make. In one embodiment the present invention takes the form of a surface mounting light block, but other types of services can be accommodated within the siding accessory by varying the middle portion of the accessory as appropriate. An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a multi-application siding accessory, which fits or conforms to more than one size of siding, and yet is easy to make and use and is aesthetically acceptable with each size of siding that it is fit to.
Therefore there is provided, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a siding accessory for finishing an opening in siding, said siding accessory comprising:
a middle portion sized and shaped for engaging a service of a building extending from a wall through said siding opening;
This invention relates to the field of building products and specifically to products used on the exterior of a building. More particularly this invention relates to products used in association with exterior cladding materials and in particular exterior siding, which products are generally called trim or siding accessories. Most particularly such siding accessories are of the type which act as trim elements suited for finishing openings which are formed in exterior siding for utilities, building services or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Buildings are typically clad with a weather resistant exterior. Many different types of cladding are used, but one which is relatively common is exterior siding. Originally siding was composed of overlapped planks or boards, but over time more durable and less expensive alternatives were developed. For example, aluminum siding was developed which imitated the appearance of the lapped wood siding, but because it was aluminum, it did not deteriorate as quickly as wood. By using a single large sheet bent to look like siding the installation was simpler and less expensive. Then, various other materials were successfully developed including plastic such as PVC or vinyl, and such exterior siding formed from such material is also now in widespread use.
Such siding is provided in relatively large sheets which are molded in the shape of lapped wood siding. One sheet might include several plank widths. These sheets are then positioned and attached to the exterior of a building and form a weather resistant and decorative exterior. However, various exterior building services are required and so at various locations, specific to the particular house or building being covered with such siding, access must be obtained through the siding to the underlying wall. Some of these services and utilities include: hose bibs, dryer vents, exterior light mounts, as well as cable, hydro, gas, electrical boxes and ventilation openings. All such services require a hole in the siding, and a trim or siding accessory to finish the hole or opening in the siding.
One popular form of siding accessory is of the type that directly attaches to the building, and to which the siding abuts up against. Typically this type of accessory includes an exterior trim flange to cover the cut edges of the siding formed around the opening. Thus, the siding abuts the body of the siding accessory which includes an overhanging trim ring. Another type of siding accessory sits on the outside of the siding and is attached to the wall through the siding. The body of the accessory is large enough and the hole in the siding is small enough that the accessory completely covers the hole to hide the rough cut edges of the siding around the hole.
A difficulty with this latter type of siding accessory is to get a close fit of the siding accessory over the siding, due to the stepped nature of the siding. A close fit is desired to be able to provide a good seat between the accessory and the siding such as by caulking or the like for weather protection. The caulking is required to prevent moisture from running in under the accessory and then through the opening in the siding made for the building service. To get a close fit in the past, siding accessories were provided with a siding engaging edge on the siding accessory which included steps which were sized and shaped to match the steps in the siding. In this way the siding accessory could be fitted over the stepped siding and then a bead of caulking or the like could be applied to the edge to seal the siding/accessory interface. Examples of such stepped accessories can be found in the following U.S. patents Nos.: 4,229,916;
5,000,409; 5,775,032; 4,635,168; Re. 35,083; and 4,875,317.
However, a problem with this approach is that siding comes in various styles, in which the different styles have different step sizes. There are at least three different sizes which are in common use. Each size of siding is characterized by a unique size, spacing and even shape of siding step.
Thus, an accessory made according to the prior art and suitable for one type of siding will not at all fit a different type of siding having a different height step, step spacing or step shape. Thus, separate siding accessories must be molded and stocked for each unique size of siding. This can be frustrating for consumers and merchants alike, as so many different components are required to cover all of the different circumstances.
Manufacturers must make multiple molds and must mold the correct number of each type of siding accessory. Consumers must know what size is required and can be easily frustrated as the siding cannot be brought to store to make sure the fit is correct. What is desired is a way to overcome these difficulties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a simple and yet effective single siding accessory which has a siding surface engaging portion which may be closely fitted to a number of different sizes and shapes of lapped siding sizes. The present invention is adaptable to at least two and preferably three different shapes and spacings of the lapped steps, meaning that only one accessory is required for the three main types of siding. The present invention is made from a suitable moldable material and is a reasonably low cost article to make. In one embodiment the present invention takes the form of a surface mounting light block, but other types of services can be accommodated within the siding accessory by varying the middle portion of the accessory as appropriate. An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a multi-application siding accessory, which fits or conforms to more than one size of siding, and yet is easy to make and use and is aesthetically acceptable with each size of siding that it is fit to.
Therefore there is provided, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a siding accessory for finishing an opening in siding, said siding accessory comprising:
a middle portion sized and shaped for engaging a service of a building extending from a wall through said siding opening;
an outer periphery around said middle portion, said outer periphery including a siding engaging portion sized and shaped to conform with a first sized siding; and a removable collar which engages with said siding engaging portion at one end and has a second siding engaging portion which is sized and shaped to conform with a second sized siding at the other end;
whereby said siding accessory fits at least two sizes of siding.
According to a further aspect of the invention the siding accessory may also include a guide, formed in said removable collar, for cutting out a third siding engaging portion for conforming said accessory with a third size of siding by means of said removable collar.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference will now be made to preferred embodiments of the present invention, by way of example only, by reference to the following figures in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a siding accessory according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a view of the embodiment of Figure 1 with a removable collar removed;
Figure 3 is a view of the embodiment of Figure 1 from the rear showing the removable collar being trimmed along a cutting guide formed in the removable collar; and Figure 4 is a view from in front showing the embodiment of Figure 3 with the removable collar attached, but fully trimmed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A siding accessory 10 is shown in Figure 1. The siding accessory 10 includes a middle service engaging portion 12 and an outer periphery 14.
As shown the middle portion 12 is in the form of a mounting block, for mounting a light fixture, electrical block or the like. The term service in this specification means anything that extends from a wall of a building enclosure which requires an opening to be formed in exterior cladding such as siding, and more specifically includes services and utilities such as water or gas pipes, electrical boxes, lighting block mounts, dryer vents, phone, television or power cables orthe like. Although in the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings one form of middle portion is shown which is suitable for an electrical box or light mounting, the present invention comprehends that the middle portion 12 can be suitable for interfacing with many different services extending through an opening made in siding in addition to electrical boxes or the like. For example, for a dryer vent, the middle portion 12 could be in the form of a flapper valve, and for a ventilation product the middle portion 12 could include molded-in grills or the like. In other cases the middle portion 12 as shown in Figure 1 can be modified by having an appropriate opening cut or molded therein for a pipe, hose bib, cable, or the like. In short, the present invention can be used in association with siding accessories having many specific applications.
The middle service engaging portion 12 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention depicted in the figures preferably is provided with a pilot hole 16 as shown. The pilot hole 16 helps to located the siding accessory during installation as well as acting as a guide for drilling holes, or cutting holes as needed in the middle portion to adapt it to the particular service the siding accessory is interfacing with. In Figure 3 the middle portion is also shown from the back, with cutting guides or grooves 20, 21, 22, which can be used to guide the cutting out of various sizes of opening to accommodate different services, including light base boxes and electrical boxes.
As shown in Figure 2, the outer periphery 14 of the siding accessory 10 is in the form of a skirt or wall 15 that extends away from the middle portion 12. When the accessory 10 is installed the outer periphery 14 extends towards a wall surface which is covered in siding (not shown). The outer periphery 14 ends in a siding engaging edge 30. As can be seen in Figure 1 the siding engaging edge 30 has preformed peaks 32 and valleys 34 which are sized and shaped to match or conform with a specific size of siding. The most preferred sizes for these peaks and valleys are the most popular siding sizes, which are called Dutch lap, Double 4 and Triple 3.
The peaks 32 and valleys 34 are designed closely follow or match the surface of the particular size of siding, so when the accessory 10 is placed onto the siding and affixed to the wall through the siding by means of screws, nails or other suitable fasteners, the shaped siding engaging edge 30 closely matches the actual surface of the siding. This leaves only a small gap, if any, along the contact or sliding engaging edge 30, which can be 70 easily sealed by means of a bead of caulking or the like to prevent rain or other inclement weather from penetrating between the siding accessory 10 and the underlying siding.
To permit the siding accessory 10 to conform to a different size, shape and style of siding requires a different shaped siding engaging edge 30. In the past this has required a completely different siding accessory.
The present invention overcomes the need for a separate accessory by means of a collar40, which is removable from the accessory 10. The collar 40 is shown in Figure 1 has a lower portion 42, which forms the siding engaging edge 44 and a lip 46 which engages the main body of the siding accessory 10. The collar 40 most preferably includes an inner surface 48 (see Figure 3) and outer surface 50 to cleanly integrate the collar to the main body. Thus the inner surface 48 of the collar includes an overlapping collar portion 52 which fits inside of the main body 10. On the outside, the lower portion 42 abuts a lip 54 in the main body 10. The collar outer surface 50 is formed with the lip 46 having a series of peaks and valleys which exactly match the preformed peaks and valleys 32, 34 extending from the main body 10.
Thus, when the collar 40 is on the main body, all that shows is a thin line where the collar lip 46 abuts the lip 54, on the main body on the outside, which is hardly visible and thus not a detraction aesthetically. On the inside, which is covered and not visible when the accessory is installed, the overlapping collar portion 52 extends into the main body enough to form a _7_ secure and strong overlap to keep the collar in place (see Figure 3). Due to a close friction fit, when the collar is in the main body, the accessory performs as if it was a single element and the collar remains in place. If desired, a detent or other locking element can be added to make the collar more difficult to remove from the main body, but acceptable results have been obtained by simply making the parts to sufficiently close tolerances so the components fit together tightly enough that they don't come apart too easily. The accessory 10 will be secured to the building from the outside, for example by means of threaded fasteners such as screws, thereby securing the removable collar 40 between the main body 10 and the siding. In turn, the siding engaging edge 44 of the collar 40 is formed with a second set of preformed peaks and valleys 32' and 34' to fit a second type of siding.
As can now be appreciated, the collar 40 is removable before the siding accessory is installed by pulling out the collar 40 from the main body to expose the peaks and valleys 32, 34. The collar provides a second preformed set of peaks and valleys 32', 34' which are sized and shaped to closely engage or conform with a second type of siding. Thus the siding engaging edge 44 can be completely different from the first siding engaging edge 30 and can be suitable to fit close enough to the second siding type to permit easy sealing by means of a bead of caulking or the like.
Turning to Figure 3 a third set of peaks and valleys 32", 34" can also be provided by the present invention. As shown, the third set 32", 34" can be presented by a cutting guide 70 formed on the inside face of the collar 40, below the first set of peaks and valleys 32, 34. Thus, prior to being installed, the installer has to merely use an appropriate cutting tool, such as shears or a knife, to follow the cutting guide 70 to present the third set of peaks and valleys 32", 34". Thus, the accessory 10 can be easily and quickly adapted, with a minimum of effort to three different sizes of siding.
Figure 4 shows the siding accessory according to the present invention with the collar 40 fully cut away to reveal the full third siding engaging edge suitable for a third type of siding having the third size of peaks and valleys 32", 34". It will be noted that the spacing of the peaks in _8_ this cut configuration is wide enough that only one peak 100 is presented along the side, thus reducing the total cutting required by the installer. The choice of which of the first, second and third siding engaging edges to present by which part of the accessory is variable. In the most preferred format the most prevalent style is on the outer end of the collar, with the next most prevalent style being presented as the collar is removed and the least most prevalent style being the one requiring the collar to be cut along the cutting guides. It so happens that the least most prevalent style is also the easiest to cut, having only one peak per side, but while convenient, this is not essential.
Most preferable the siding accessory of the present invention is made from plastic and is of a UV stabilized type having long term life even when exposed to the elements in an external application. The preferred types of plastic are PVC or vinyl, but other types of plastic are also suitable as will be understood by those skilled in the art. This plastic will have the appropriate fillers, additives and colours for an external application and to match a particular siding if desired.
It can now be appreciated how the present invention can be used.
Since the one accessory is suitable for multiple types of siding, the accessory can be carried in quantity by a retail store such as a hardware store. Then when a person desires to finish an opening in siding, they can go to the store and purchase an accessory that fits without trying the fit in advance. They will already have the right style of accessory. Then when they get to the siding, they simply compare the siding surface shape to the siding engaging edge 44 to see if it is a close fit. If not, then they can remove the collarto expose the siding engaging edge 30 to see if it's a close fit. If not, then the installer can trim the collar 40 to match the cutting guide 70, to expose the peaks and valleys 32", 34" along cutting guide 70. As a result the one accessory 10 can be used in three types of siding and still have closely conforming fit to the surface of the siding.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while reference has been made to certain preferred embodiments of the invention many _g_ variations and alterations are possible with departing from the broad scope of the invention as defined by the attached claims. For example, while an electrical box or light block middle portion has been specifically discussed, the present invention could be readily use with trim accessories having other functionality including those for pipes, hose bibs, ventilation, dryer vents and others.
whereby said siding accessory fits at least two sizes of siding.
According to a further aspect of the invention the siding accessory may also include a guide, formed in said removable collar, for cutting out a third siding engaging portion for conforming said accessory with a third size of siding by means of said removable collar.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference will now be made to preferred embodiments of the present invention, by way of example only, by reference to the following figures in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a siding accessory according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a view of the embodiment of Figure 1 with a removable collar removed;
Figure 3 is a view of the embodiment of Figure 1 from the rear showing the removable collar being trimmed along a cutting guide formed in the removable collar; and Figure 4 is a view from in front showing the embodiment of Figure 3 with the removable collar attached, but fully trimmed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A siding accessory 10 is shown in Figure 1. The siding accessory 10 includes a middle service engaging portion 12 and an outer periphery 14.
As shown the middle portion 12 is in the form of a mounting block, for mounting a light fixture, electrical block or the like. The term service in this specification means anything that extends from a wall of a building enclosure which requires an opening to be formed in exterior cladding such as siding, and more specifically includes services and utilities such as water or gas pipes, electrical boxes, lighting block mounts, dryer vents, phone, television or power cables orthe like. Although in the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings one form of middle portion is shown which is suitable for an electrical box or light mounting, the present invention comprehends that the middle portion 12 can be suitable for interfacing with many different services extending through an opening made in siding in addition to electrical boxes or the like. For example, for a dryer vent, the middle portion 12 could be in the form of a flapper valve, and for a ventilation product the middle portion 12 could include molded-in grills or the like. In other cases the middle portion 12 as shown in Figure 1 can be modified by having an appropriate opening cut or molded therein for a pipe, hose bib, cable, or the like. In short, the present invention can be used in association with siding accessories having many specific applications.
The middle service engaging portion 12 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention depicted in the figures preferably is provided with a pilot hole 16 as shown. The pilot hole 16 helps to located the siding accessory during installation as well as acting as a guide for drilling holes, or cutting holes as needed in the middle portion to adapt it to the particular service the siding accessory is interfacing with. In Figure 3 the middle portion is also shown from the back, with cutting guides or grooves 20, 21, 22, which can be used to guide the cutting out of various sizes of opening to accommodate different services, including light base boxes and electrical boxes.
As shown in Figure 2, the outer periphery 14 of the siding accessory 10 is in the form of a skirt or wall 15 that extends away from the middle portion 12. When the accessory 10 is installed the outer periphery 14 extends towards a wall surface which is covered in siding (not shown). The outer periphery 14 ends in a siding engaging edge 30. As can be seen in Figure 1 the siding engaging edge 30 has preformed peaks 32 and valleys 34 which are sized and shaped to match or conform with a specific size of siding. The most preferred sizes for these peaks and valleys are the most popular siding sizes, which are called Dutch lap, Double 4 and Triple 3.
The peaks 32 and valleys 34 are designed closely follow or match the surface of the particular size of siding, so when the accessory 10 is placed onto the siding and affixed to the wall through the siding by means of screws, nails or other suitable fasteners, the shaped siding engaging edge 30 closely matches the actual surface of the siding. This leaves only a small gap, if any, along the contact or sliding engaging edge 30, which can be 70 easily sealed by means of a bead of caulking or the like to prevent rain or other inclement weather from penetrating between the siding accessory 10 and the underlying siding.
To permit the siding accessory 10 to conform to a different size, shape and style of siding requires a different shaped siding engaging edge 30. In the past this has required a completely different siding accessory.
The present invention overcomes the need for a separate accessory by means of a collar40, which is removable from the accessory 10. The collar 40 is shown in Figure 1 has a lower portion 42, which forms the siding engaging edge 44 and a lip 46 which engages the main body of the siding accessory 10. The collar 40 most preferably includes an inner surface 48 (see Figure 3) and outer surface 50 to cleanly integrate the collar to the main body. Thus the inner surface 48 of the collar includes an overlapping collar portion 52 which fits inside of the main body 10. On the outside, the lower portion 42 abuts a lip 54 in the main body 10. The collar outer surface 50 is formed with the lip 46 having a series of peaks and valleys which exactly match the preformed peaks and valleys 32, 34 extending from the main body 10.
Thus, when the collar 40 is on the main body, all that shows is a thin line where the collar lip 46 abuts the lip 54, on the main body on the outside, which is hardly visible and thus not a detraction aesthetically. On the inside, which is covered and not visible when the accessory is installed, the overlapping collar portion 52 extends into the main body enough to form a _7_ secure and strong overlap to keep the collar in place (see Figure 3). Due to a close friction fit, when the collar is in the main body, the accessory performs as if it was a single element and the collar remains in place. If desired, a detent or other locking element can be added to make the collar more difficult to remove from the main body, but acceptable results have been obtained by simply making the parts to sufficiently close tolerances so the components fit together tightly enough that they don't come apart too easily. The accessory 10 will be secured to the building from the outside, for example by means of threaded fasteners such as screws, thereby securing the removable collar 40 between the main body 10 and the siding. In turn, the siding engaging edge 44 of the collar 40 is formed with a second set of preformed peaks and valleys 32' and 34' to fit a second type of siding.
As can now be appreciated, the collar 40 is removable before the siding accessory is installed by pulling out the collar 40 from the main body to expose the peaks and valleys 32, 34. The collar provides a second preformed set of peaks and valleys 32', 34' which are sized and shaped to closely engage or conform with a second type of siding. Thus the siding engaging edge 44 can be completely different from the first siding engaging edge 30 and can be suitable to fit close enough to the second siding type to permit easy sealing by means of a bead of caulking or the like.
Turning to Figure 3 a third set of peaks and valleys 32", 34" can also be provided by the present invention. As shown, the third set 32", 34" can be presented by a cutting guide 70 formed on the inside face of the collar 40, below the first set of peaks and valleys 32, 34. Thus, prior to being installed, the installer has to merely use an appropriate cutting tool, such as shears or a knife, to follow the cutting guide 70 to present the third set of peaks and valleys 32", 34". Thus, the accessory 10 can be easily and quickly adapted, with a minimum of effort to three different sizes of siding.
Figure 4 shows the siding accessory according to the present invention with the collar 40 fully cut away to reveal the full third siding engaging edge suitable for a third type of siding having the third size of peaks and valleys 32", 34". It will be noted that the spacing of the peaks in _8_ this cut configuration is wide enough that only one peak 100 is presented along the side, thus reducing the total cutting required by the installer. The choice of which of the first, second and third siding engaging edges to present by which part of the accessory is variable. In the most preferred format the most prevalent style is on the outer end of the collar, with the next most prevalent style being presented as the collar is removed and the least most prevalent style being the one requiring the collar to be cut along the cutting guides. It so happens that the least most prevalent style is also the easiest to cut, having only one peak per side, but while convenient, this is not essential.
Most preferable the siding accessory of the present invention is made from plastic and is of a UV stabilized type having long term life even when exposed to the elements in an external application. The preferred types of plastic are PVC or vinyl, but other types of plastic are also suitable as will be understood by those skilled in the art. This plastic will have the appropriate fillers, additives and colours for an external application and to match a particular siding if desired.
It can now be appreciated how the present invention can be used.
Since the one accessory is suitable for multiple types of siding, the accessory can be carried in quantity by a retail store such as a hardware store. Then when a person desires to finish an opening in siding, they can go to the store and purchase an accessory that fits without trying the fit in advance. They will already have the right style of accessory. Then when they get to the siding, they simply compare the siding surface shape to the siding engaging edge 44 to see if it is a close fit. If not, then they can remove the collarto expose the siding engaging edge 30 to see if it's a close fit. If not, then the installer can trim the collar 40 to match the cutting guide 70, to expose the peaks and valleys 32", 34" along cutting guide 70. As a result the one accessory 10 can be used in three types of siding and still have closely conforming fit to the surface of the siding.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while reference has been made to certain preferred embodiments of the invention many _g_ variations and alterations are possible with departing from the broad scope of the invention as defined by the attached claims. For example, while an electrical box or light block middle portion has been specifically discussed, the present invention could be readily use with trim accessories having other functionality including those for pipes, hose bibs, ventilation, dryer vents and others.
Claims (10)
1. A siding accessory for finishing an opening in siding, said siding accessory comprising:
a middle portion sized and shaped for engaging a service of a building extending from a wall through said siding opening;
an outer periphery around said middle portion, said outer periphery including a siding engaging portion sized and shaped to conform with a first sized siding; and a removable collar which engages with said siding engaging portion at one end and has a second siding engaging portion which is sized and shaped to conform with a second sized siding at the other end, whereby said siding accessory fits to two sizes of siding by means of said collar.
a middle portion sized and shaped for engaging a service of a building extending from a wall through said siding opening;
an outer periphery around said middle portion, said outer periphery including a siding engaging portion sized and shaped to conform with a first sized siding; and a removable collar which engages with said siding engaging portion at one end and has a second siding engaging portion which is sized and shaped to conform with a second sized siding at the other end, whereby said siding accessory fits to two sizes of siding by means of said collar.
2. A siding accessory for finishing an opening in siding as claimed in claim 1 further including a cutting guide for cutting said accessory to provide a third siding engaging portion sized and shaped to conform with a third siding size.
3. A siding accessory for finishing an opening in siding as claimed in claim 2 wherein said cutting guide is in the form of surface markings formed in said accessory.
4. A siding accessory for finishing an opening in siding as claimed in claim 3 wherein said surface markings are located on an interior face of said accessory.
5. A siding accessory for finishing an opening in siding as claimed in claim 2 wherein said cutting guide is located on said removable collar.
6. A siding accessory for finishing an opening in siding as claimed in claim 2 wherein said cutting guide is located on said outer periphery of said middle portion.
7. A siding accessory for finishing an opening in siding as claimed in claim 1 wherein said middle portion includes additional service suitable cutting guides.
8. A siding accessory for finishing an opening in siding as claimed in claim 7 wherein said middle portion is generally flat and spaced apart from a siding engaging edge of said accessory.
9. A siding accessory as claimed in claim 1 wherein said collar includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and said outer surface includes mating peaks and valleys to the peaks and valleys formed along a siding engaging edge of said accessory.
10. A siding accessory as claimed in claim 10 wherein said accessory has an inner collar extension extending into said accessory to help retain said collar on said accessory.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2511742 CA2511742A1 (en) | 2005-07-07 | 2005-07-07 | Multi-application siding accessory and method of use |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2511742 CA2511742A1 (en) | 2005-07-07 | 2005-07-07 | Multi-application siding accessory and method of use |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2511742A1 true CA2511742A1 (en) | 2007-01-07 |
Family
ID=37625892
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2511742 Abandoned CA2511742A1 (en) | 2005-07-07 | 2005-07-07 | Multi-application siding accessory and method of use |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2511742A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9243813B2 (en) | 2011-09-22 | 2016-01-26 | Canplas Industries Ltd. | Roof vent |
-
2005
- 2005-07-07 CA CA 2511742 patent/CA2511742A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9243813B2 (en) | 2011-09-22 | 2016-01-26 | Canplas Industries Ltd. | Roof vent |
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