Description of the Prior Art Building siding is well known and in widespread use.

Siding material typically is manufactured in elongate boards which must be secured to a building in overlapping fashion.

Installation of these boards can be awkward and time consuming, often requiring two or more people. Numerous tools have been designed to assist in siding installation. However, none of the known prior art devices enable simple and efficient installation of a length of siding by one person.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The siding gauge tool of this invention provides a device that, when placed on a piece of siding before installation, automatically gauges the overlap of the siding, eliminating the task of measuring and marking by the installer.

In addition, the tool keeps the siding from slipping during the initial nailing. Finally, the tool allows one person to hang, gauge, hold and nail the siding.

The inventive tool includes an elongate base or handle portion, an arm portion extending generally at a right angle thereto, and terminates in a flange portion extending generally at a right angle from the arm. A spring or clip member is carried on the upper surface of the base, and extends toward the arm portion, preferably to define a gap therebetween. For use, one or more (and preferably two) of the tools are placed on the bottom edge of the piece of siding so that the siding is releasably captured in the gap between the clip and arm, and is held there by the spring tension, with the bottom edge of the siding resting on the upper surface of the base. The piece of siding can then be placed at an appropriate position on a wall above a previously-installed piece of siding, so that the flange of the tool rests on the upper edge of the previously installed piece, and the length of the arm portion thus defines the desired overlap of the siding pieces (e. g., one and one-quarter inches).

The installer may rest the piece of new siding, with the tool (s) in place, on the previously installed piece of siding, enabling the installer to temporarily nail the new piece in place. The tool (s) can then be removed from the new piece by twisting and pulling down on the handle portion to both disengage the flange from the previous piece, and release the new piece from the spring tension between the clip and arm. The new piece of siding, with the tool (s) now removed, can now be completely nailed in place, and the process repeated with subsequent runs of siding.

The siding gauge tool of this invention thus gauges the lap distance for siding installation. When used as a pair (one tool on each side of the siding piece), the device enables installation of a length of siding by one person. The device is attached to the free piece of siding, and facilitates the installation of siding with little effort. The device is simple to use and efficient, unlike other known siding tools.

The spring attachment allows flexibility when installing. The"flange"used for gauging allows for accurate gauging but far less resistance when removing from the installed siding. This"flange"will not cut or scar the siding or paper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the siding gauge tool of this invention ; and Figs. 2-6 are a series of views illustrating the use of the inventive tool to install siding to a structure ; Fig. 2 is an end elevation cross-sectional view of a first piece (course) of siding and starter strip as ; nailed to a wall ; Fig. 3 is an end elevation view of the inventive tool as placed on the lower edge of a second piece of siding ; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the second piece of siding bearing two of the inventive tools being positioned on the wall above the first piece of siding ; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the second piece

of siding in position on the wall above the first piece of siding with the second piece of siding attached to the wall only at the top edge and the pair of tools still in place ; and Fig. 6 is an end elevational cross-sectional view of the second piece of siding attached to the wall prior to the removal of the inventive tools.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the siding gauge tool 10 of this invention. Tool 10 includes an elongate base or handle portion 12, and arm portion 14 extending upwardly preferably at a right angle to the handle portion, and a flange portion 16 extending preferably at a right angle outwardly from the arm portion. Spring or clip member 18 is carried on the upper surface 20 of the base, and extends toward the arm portion 14, preferably to define a gap 22 therebetween (alternatively, the clip member may actually contact the arm). The point of closest extent (or contact) of the clip member to the arm is preferably at least some distance less than the length of the arm portion. It is the length of the arm portion 14 that defines the overlap between each piece of siding when installed. The length of the flange portion 16 is preferably less than the thickness of the siding being installed.

Figs. 2-6 are a series of views illustrating the use of the inventive tool 10 to install siding to a structure. Fig.

2 is an end elevation cross-sectional view of a first piece

(course) of siding S1 and starter strip as nailed to a wall W.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation view of the inventive tool 10 as placed on the lower edge of a second piece of siding S2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the second piece of siding S2 bearing two of the inventive tools 10 being positioned on the wall W above the first piece of siding SI. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the second piece of siding S2 in position on the wall above the first piece of siding S1 with the second piece of siding S2 attached to the wall W only at the top edge and the pair of tools 10 still in place. Fig. 6 is an end elevational cross-sectional view of the second piece of siding S2 attached to the wall W prior to the removal of the inventive tools 10.

Instructions for use of the siding gauge tool of this invention may include the following: First, hang a starter strip and the first course of siding. Cut the next piece of siding to length. Push the siding gauge tool over the bottom edge of the next piece of siding, locating each gauge approximately three feet of the center of the board. Use the siding gauge tools to hang the next piece of siding on the previous course (note that it automatically engages the overlap of each piece of siding while keeping it from slipping during initial nailing). Tack the siding only at the top edge, per the manufacturers specifications and in the vicinity of the siding gauge tools. Do not nail the siding completely prior to removal of the siding gauge tools or removal of the tools will be more difficult. Remove the siding gauge

tools by gently twisting and pulling down. Complete the nailing of the siding per the manufacturers specifications. Repeat the above steps for all subsequent courses of siding.

While this invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments thereof, it is obvious that modifications and changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art to which it pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of this invention is to be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents.