The present invention relates to man made building panels formed of wood composite material and 5 more particularly, relates to building panels suitable for use on an exterior building wall and roof struc¬ ture. The panels are provided with an outer or weather surface embossed or formed with a design resembling a plurality of shingles in a roof or wall. 10 2. Description of the Prior Art

A wide ranging variety of relatively large building wall panels for sidewalls and roofs have been developed utilizing boards or panels formed of pressed wood fibers with an embossed outer or weather 15 surface designed to resemble conventional siding or shingles. U.S Patent No. 3,796,586 discloses a deep embossed shingle lap siding formed of compressed wood fibers. U.S. Patent No. 3,868,300 discloses a compo¬ site panel laminate having deep indentations and formed 20 with a tough outer fibrous skin and a core of relatively course fibrous material. U.S. Patent No. 4,279,106 is directed towards a roofing panel having a thin shell of hard plastic forming a cavity within which polyurethane foam is received. "25 OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved modular building panel for use on a sloped roof and/or a vertical wall surface that is leak proof, wind resistant, light in weight, 30 weather resistant, asthetically pleasing to the eye and easy of application.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved wood composite building panel of the character described which is manufactured 35 with a weather surface shaped or embossed to resemble

fibers with an outer or weather surface embossed to resemble a plurality of individual shingles or shakes laid side-by-side in a common course.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved building panel of the character described wherein a minimum amount of overlap or head lap is required resulting in a reduced number of individual panels needed for covering a given area of wall or roofing surface. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved building panel of the character described which is essentailly self- aligning, easy and quick to install, and which requires a minimum of labor for application on a roof or wall structure.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved building panel of the character described having specially designed grooves positioned between adjacent shingle elements or shakes embossed in the outer surface, which grooves accentuate the appearance of the outer weather surface without substantially weakening the overall structure of the panels at the groove lines.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved building panel of the character described which is substantially uniform in thickness except for minor variations resulting from the embossing process and at the grooves which taper from a minimum depth adjacent an upper level of the exposed or weather surface of the panel to a maximum depth at the lower or butt edge of the panel.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved building panel of the character described in the foregoing objects which minimizes the visibility of joints between panels and

which minimizes any flow of wind driven water tending to be channeled upwardly in the grooves or tending to penetrate under the head lap between adjacent courses of panels. Still another object of the present inven¬ tion is to provide a new and improved building panel of the character described wherein the grooves are designed break out or merge with the adjacent outer surface of the panel before reaching the upper of head of the building panel.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved building panel of the character described which is essentially formed of one type of material yet provides increased strength, lightness in weight per unit area covered and does to suffer from curl-up or cupping along lower edge por¬ tions or corners of individual embossed shingle ele¬ ments.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing and other objects and advan¬ tages of the present invention are accomplished in a new and improved building panel formed of compressed wood fibers of substantially uniform thickness and having inner and outer faces outlined by opposite ends and upper and lower edges. Opposite ends of each panel are adapted to closely face the end of an adjacent panel in the same course and the outer faces of the panels are embossed over a lower portion of substantial surface area adapted for exposure to the weather. A relatively flat upper head lap portion of relatively small surface area is provided and is adapted to underlie lower portions of the back face of one or more panels in a next higher row or course laid in overlapping relation therewith. The lower embossed surface portion of the outer weather face is

shaped by embossing to resemble a plurality of indi¬ vidual elements such shingles or shakes positioned or laid in side-by-side relation in a common course. Tapered grooves are formed in the outer face of the panel between adjacent shingle or shake elements and these grooves are especially shaped to taper from a minimum depth adjacent the upper portion of the outer panel face to a maximum depth at the exposed lower or butt edge of the panel. The maximum depth of the grooves is less than the thickness of the panel and in conjunction with the embossed shingle element pro¬ vides an outer or weather surface closely resembling thick butt cedar shakes/shingles and the -like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of a building structure utilizing building panels in accordance with the present invention laid up in parallel courses or rows in overlapping relation;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodi¬ ment of a new and improved building panel in accor¬ dance with the features of the present invention showing an outer or weather surface thereof and a lower, butt edge; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a building panel in accordance with the present invention again illustrating an outer or weather surface of -the panel and a lower,, butt edge; FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, elevational view in perspective illustrating a joint between a pair of

building panels of the type shown in FIG. 3 laid up in end-to-end relation in a course or row;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating a joint between a pair of building panels of the type shown in FIG. 4, laid up in end- to-end relation in a course or row;

FIG. 7 is a transverse, cross-sectional view of the building panels of FIGS. 3 and 4, taken substantially along lines 7-7 thereof; FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, cross- sectional view taken substantially along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, cross- sectional view taken substantially along lines 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, edge elevational view of an upper edge of the building panels of FIGS. 3 and 4 looking in the direction of arrows of FIG. 7; and FIG. 11 is a graphic representation of a starting and alignment procedure utilized when instal¬ ling building panels in accordance with the present invention on a roof or building wall structure. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings, in FIGS. 1 and 2 is illustrated a building 20 of a general or conventional type employing a sloped roof structure 22 and vertical side walls 24. The roof and walls are covered with an outer or weather surface formed by a plurality of new and improved building panels 30 which are laid up in end-to-end relation in horizontal courses or rows. The panels in each succeeding higher course overlap an upper portion of the adjacent lower course or row as best shown in FIG. 2.

Each building panel 30 is formed of compres¬ sed wood fibers or hardboard of a substantially uniform thickness and is of a rectangular shape as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The panels include a relatively flat or planar back surface 32 bounded by an elongated upper edge or head 34 and a generally parallel, lower edge or butt edge 36 exposed to the weather. The panel of FIGS. 3 and 5 includes generally flat or planar, opposite, left and right hand end surfaces 38 and 40 perpendicular to the upper and lower edges. These ends are adapted to closely face the adjacent ends of panels laid end-to-end in the same or common course or row as best shown in FIG. 5.

Joints formed between adjacent end surfaces 38 and 40 of panels in a row, are flashed with sheet metal flashing elements 42 which are formed with up¬ standing head flanges 42a at the upper end. The flanges fit against the upper edge or head 34 of the building panels and secure the flashing elements in place on a roof or wall to underlie and flash the joint between the ends of adjacent panels in a course or row. A small gap or space 44 is normally provided between adjacent facing ends 38 and 40 of each pair of panels in a row in order to accommodate expansion of the panels due to heating and elevation in tempera¬ ture resulting from exposure to the sun or hot weather. The metal flashing elements channel any water in these joint gaps or spaces down onto the outer surface of the panels in the next lower row or course. The building panels 30 of FIGS. 4 and 6 are similar to the panels of FIGS. 3 and 5 except that ship-lap type overlapping end surfaces 38S and 40S are provided at opposite ends of each panel and sheet metal flashing elements are not utilized. When the panels are laid up end-to-end as illustrated in FIG.

6, a small space or gap 44 is provided between the directly facing upper segments of the panel ends 38S and 40S and a lower portion 39 of the ship-lap joint forms a channel bottom for the gap or space between the upper segments of the ends to direct and channel any accumulated water or moisture downwardly toward the next lower course of panels.

In accordance with the present invention, the building panels 30 are formed with an outer or weather face 50 which is generally parallel to the back face 32 except for the minor variations in the thickness because of embossing and at the grooves as will be described hereinafter. The outer surface of each panel 30 is divided to provide a relatively flat and smooth narrow strip or head lap segment 52 along the upper edge and the area of this strip comprises only a fractional or minor portion of the total or overall surface area of the whole building panel. This narrow head lap segment along the upper edge 34 is adapted to underlie a narrow strip of back face 32 along a lower portion of each succeeding panel or panels as they are laid up in place in a next adjacent upper row or course (as shown in FIG. 2) . When laid up in place as shown, the narrow overlapping or con- fronting portions of the panels form a substantially water tight head lap between successive courses or rows of panels on a wall or roof.

The outer weather face of each panel includes an embossed lower surface portion 54 lying below the narrow upper margin 52.and delineated therefrom by a thin, marker line or shallow groove 56 parallel of and spaced between the upper edge 34 and the lower, exposed butt edge 36. The shallow groove or line 56 provides guidance for aid in aligning subsequent rows or courses of panels on a building

wall or roof surface. The panels 30 are provided with a course alignment end mark or short line 58, normally located on the righthand end surface 40 or 40S. These course alignment marks are aligned with the upper edges of panels in the next lower course or row as a roofing or siding job proceeds.

In accordance with the present invention the weather or exposed outer face 54 of the outer surface 50 is deep embossed to resemble closely in appearnce, a plurality of individual shingle or shake type elements 54a of random width and order, laid up ' in side by side relation in a row or course as illus¬ trated. Each shingle element 54a terminates along a lower butt edge coincident with the edge 36 of the whole building panel 30. Between each pair of adja¬ cent individual shingle elements 54a embossed in the surface 54, there is provided a tapered groove or channel 66 which is shown in enlarged detail in FIGS. 7-10. These grooves or channels are dimensioned to taper from a shallow or minimum depth at the upper end adjacent the nailing guide groove or line 56 to a maximum groove depth opening into the lower or butt edge 36 of the building panel. Each groove breaks out or becomes substantially even with the outer sur- face of the adjacent pair of embossed shingle elements 54a on each side just before reaching the level of the nailing guide line 56.

The tapered grooves with the deep relief provided at the lower or butt edge 36 of the panels results in an overall appearance remarkably indis¬ tinguishable from that of a thick butt cedar shake or shingle wall or roof surface. Along the relatively thick, butt edge 36 of each panel, the grooves 66 between each pair of adjacent embossed shingle ele-

ments 54a are at a maximum depth, which depth is less than the nominal thickness of the panels overall.

The tapered, deepening grooves form a thick shadow appearance which truly and accurately visually resembles a building surfaced with thick butt cedar shakes. Because the grooves 66 taper to a minimum depth and break out at the upper end thereof adjacent the nail guide line 56 before reaching the head lap strip area 52, there is little chance that wind driven water will be forced under the head lap between adja¬ cent courses of panels. Instead, any water will tend to spill out from the sides of the grooves at the shallow upper end and then run back down the outer faces 54a of the adjacent shingle elements on either side of the groove. The unique grooves 66 also pro¬ vide another enhancing feature in that the building panel 30 is dimensioned to retain full nominal thick¬ ness uninterrupted for the entire length thereof above the nailing guide grooves 56 and in this area 52, fastening attachment to a building wall or roof is accomplished at the strongest portion of each panel. The panels 30 are thus strong where needed and are not subject to peel-up or fish scaling which is a problem with many shingles and roofing materials. The tapered grooves 66 provide a panel 30 which closely resembles a plurality of thick butt, cedar shakes yet without requiring the great amount of labor that is normally required in the application of such shakes. Moreover, the uniquely shaped grooves greatly enhance the appearance of the panels 30 and do not detract from the strength thereof where needed because at the fastening area on the head lap strip 52, the panel body is at full nominal thickness. The tapered grooves provide deep shadows to form an appearance of tapered

thick butt shakes without the any of the costly appli¬ cation processes required by actual shakes.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the course align¬ ment marks 58 of panels 30 in the second course are positioned over the upper edges 34 of the panels in the first course and this aids a roofer in establishing precise parallel alignment of the lower or butt edges 36 of the panels in each succeeding course. The butt edge of panels in the second course are also visually aligned with the shallow grooves or lines 56 in the panels of first course to further insure that each succeeding course is precisely parallel to the last. The lines 56 and end marks 58 thus function coopera¬ tively to aid an installer in easily establishing the precise and proper amount of headlap or overlap between the panels as they are installed in each succeeding course or row.

Each panel 30 also includes a course offset guide mark 60 formed on the outer weather face 50 and positioned in the upper head lap or strip 52 adjacent the upper edge 34. The guide marks 60 are preferably located at a distance approximately 1/3 of the total length of a panel along the edge 34 inwardly from the right hand end 40 or 40S. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the course offset guide mark on the upper edges of the panels 30 laid in the first course are used for aligning the right hand edges 40 or 40S of the panels in the second course. Similarly offset guide marks in the panels of the second course are used for aligning the right hand edges 40 and 40S of the panels in the third course.

When the offset guide marks 60 are spaced approximately 1/3 of the total length of the panels inwardly from the one end thereof, the course orienta- tion of the panels repeats itself every third course

or row that is applied on a wall or roof structure. The positioning of the offset guide marks on a panel can be changed to a different end spacing, for example, a random spacing basis, if desired, but at somewhat increased production expense. If this is done there will be little chance of any periodic repetition of succeeding courses and a truly random pattern will result. However, it has been established that a repeat of course orientation every third course or row is almost imperceptible to the eye and provides a truly aesthetic as well as an economical weather covering for a building.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, a roof or building wall structure is surfaced with the building panels 30 by applying a first course along a lower edge or eave with a left hand end 38/38S extended outwardly beyond a "saw line" which in turn is spaced outwardly of a rake edge of the building. Successive panels in the first course are then laid end to end along the row. A second course is started with the left hand end 38/38S of a first panel in the course extended outwardly to the left even beyond the left hand end of the end panel in the first course. Similarly, the left end panel in the third course extends outwardly to the left farther than the starter panel of the second course. Eventually these outwardly projecting panel end portions are cut of along the "saw line" . The cut off portions may sometimes be utilized at the opposite (right hand) end of the course or on other parts of the structure depending upon the lengths thereof and distance coverage required, The application process as described may also be initiated from a right hand corner along the lower edge or eave and the panels may be aligned end to end in each course or row from right to left proceeding

to the lefthand rake edge of the building or roof structure.

In applying the panels 30 to a roof or wall surface it is recommended that the panels be installed over a minimum base of 1/2 inch thick CDX plywood or equivalent sheathing or decking. The sheathing or decking should also be covered with a layer of 15 pound asphalt felt or similar material prior to instal¬ lation of the panels thereon. Nails or staples 62 are used to secure the panels in place and these fasteners are driven above the nailing line or groove 56 in the narrow, head lap or strip area 52, so as not to be exposed to the weather. Generally, galvan¬ ized roofing nails or staples are recommended, and normally four or five spaced apart fasteners are used to hold a 48" long building panel in place.

In practice, panels having a nominal length of 48 inches designed to span at least two or three studs or rafters are preferred and along the lower edge of a building wall or the eave of roof structure, a narrow starter strip 64 is utilized for the first course. A lower edge of the starter strip spaced a little distance upwardly above the lower or thick butt edge 36 of the panels 30 of the starter course as illustrated in FIG. 2.

In a typical commercial embodiment of the present invention, panels 30 are dimensioned to be approximately 47 and 3/16th inches in length and 11 and 13/16th inches in width with a 3 inch wide head lap being provided between the upper edge 34 and the nail guide grooved line 56. The panels are nominally 7/16th inches thick and are packaged with 6 panels per bundle. In this size, only 6 bundles are required to cover 100 square feet or one "square" of a building roof or wall structure. Panels 30 having these size

-

parameters produce a weight of approximately 240 pounds per "square" of surface area covered. This weight is comparable to that of many asphalt shingles but the panels 30 provide a great advantage in terms of the small number of pieces (36) necessary for covering a "square" of surface area. The panels 30 are recommended for use on roof slopes of 4 in 12 or steeper and are economical for use in new construction as well as for re-siding or re-roofing application over old materials already in place.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to several illustrated embodi¬ ments thereo , it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this invention.

What is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: