{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, approximately ' 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 of the roof working downward while trying to maneuver it in place by hand. This invention holds the plywood in place instead of the laborer, so that the plywood can be easily nailed on the rest of the way with highly reduced risk of slippage. In the end, it will help create a much safer working environment, reducing the risk of injury due to objects falling off the roof and improving worker ergonomics, because it does create a solid edge for holding the sheathing material in place and helps to catch objects that are sliding off the roof by creating a limited stop edge that previously did not exist.

{0005} This invention can also be used to install the starter row of most types of siding, such as lap siding, cedar siding or Tl-11, for examples; thus, it is also referred to as a siding hanger. It can 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.

{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.

{Summary of Invention}

{Technical Problem}

{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.

{Solution to Problem}

{0008} This invention is 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 reshaped 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, will provide a solid resting mount for the wall or roof sheathing or the siding, such that these materials can 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 will bear the weight of and hold the sheathing or siding material at a uniform and consistent manner around the building, so that the material can be properly nailed on to the structure, reducing the need for skilled labor, measuring equipment and more than one installer to participate. The hangers 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 create an easy and cost effective solution to the problems outlined above with this phase of construction. {Advantageous Effects of Invention}

{0009} Several advantages of my invention are:

(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.

(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; (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 1 A shows a sheathing and siding hanger with one L-shaped resting mount 24.

{00013 } FIG 1 B shows FIG 1 A 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 1 A and FIG IB in action with a piece of plywood 70 being held in place at the foundation 40. {00015} FIG ID is a drawing of the hanger embodied in FIG 1 A with the optional tab 25 unbent and attached by nails or screws to the edge of the roof rafters 60.

{00016} FIG IE illustrates how a piece of plywood 70 sits in the resting mount 24 of FIG 1 A 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 2 A is similar to FIG 1 A, 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 3 A 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 3 A 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 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 5 A illustrates a sheathing and siding hanger similar to FIG 1 A, 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 5 A 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 6 A 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 arm 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 1 A, B, C, D and E illustrate one example of this multi-purpose connective hardware. FIG 2 A and FIG 2B are drawings of a second example of the invention designed for hanging material around a corner. FIG 3 A, 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 1 A, but which has two resting mounts rather than one. FIG 6 A 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 1 A. 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 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 1" 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., ¼", ½" 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, 3 A, 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, 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 1 A, 3 A, 4 A and 7A are designed to help hold one sheet or piece of material at a time. Figures 5 A and 6A are capable of holding two layers of sheet materials at once. Figure 2 A 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 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. (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 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 90° 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