Top Panel Snap-in Trim for Exterior Siding

1. Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates to exterior wall siding and, more particularly, to snap-in trim which secures top siding panels to buildings, provides an enhanced appearance, and creates a channel to hide telephone, cable TV and satellite dish wiring.

2. Description of Related Art

The use of exterior siding panels for buildings has become increasingly popular over the years. The siding may be constructed of various types of vinyl or aluminum. Regardless of the type, trim and accessory components are necessary to install the siding and finish it off. These trim components typically comprise inside corners, outside corners, J-channels, drip caps, L-channels, finish trim and various other trim moldings.

The fitting and installing of siding and trim components can be difficult and time-consuming. Of particular concern, is the cutting of siding to fit into a mounting bracket, typically called a J-channel. If the top panel, the final panel going into a J-channel is off by more than approximately a quarter of an inch, the siding will not properly sit in the J-channel. The same situation arises for a flat wall top out panel or a gable top out panel. Additionally, since there is a small tolerance for error on fitting this top panel into the J-channel, there is a tendency for the top panel to shift over time and pop out of the J-channel, due to the passage of time and exposure to the weather elements. In addition, many times the siding is placed on the bottom of eaves, gables, or overhangs. The siding panels on these overhangs, called soffit panels, also require J-channel brackets to secure the soffit panels in place.

Although there are no known prior art teachings of a solution to the aforementioned deficiency and shortcoming such as that disclosed herein, prior art references that discuss subject matter that bears some relation to matters discussed herein are U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,189,885 to Fritz (Fritz), 5,392,579 to Champagne (Champagne I), 5,537,791 to Champagne (Champagne II), and 5,560,170 to Ganser et al. (Ganser).

Fritz discloses various trim components for siding construction. The principal component is a trim strip having a J-shaped channel and a smaller adjacent C-shaped channel opening perpendicular to each other. Fritz merely discloses a well known J-channel for securing siding. Fritz does not teach or suggest a method for using snap-in trim in conjunction with a J-channel for securing and finishing siding.

Champagne I discloses a clip of strip metal which engages with an uppermost panel of a building siding and a top out panel to secure the top out panel in position between the uppermost panel and the soffit. Champagne I uses a J-channel to secure the uppermost panel. Champagne I does not teach or suggest using snap-in trim in conjunction with a J-channel for a soffit panel to secure and finish the uppermost panel of an adjacent wall.

Champagne II discloses a mounting clip for siding. The clip is placed on the top edge of a top panel before inserting the top edge into a trim strip such as a J-channel. The clip is used to position the top panel in a trim strip having a relatively wide groove. The clip snaps into the J-channel, and is equipped with barbs which ensures the top panel is held securely in the J-channel. Champagne II still requires that the top panel be cut to the exacting tolerances required for use with a J-channel. It also requires separate J-channels for the wall and the adjacent soffit panel. Champagne II does not teach or suggest snap-in trim in conjunction with the a J-channel of an adjacent wall.

Ganser discloses a trim band system for use with exterior siding which eliminates the need for J-channels and provides an enhanced aesthetic appearance. However, J-channels are widely used in the siding industry, and Ganser does not teach or suggest a mounting clip which works in conjunction with the J-channel of a soffit panel to secure and finish the top panel of an adjacent wall while providing an enhanced aesthetic appearance.

Thus, it would be a distinct advantage to have a device and method for assisting in securing a top panel for a wall to a J-channel of a soffit panel while providing an enhanced aesthetic appearance and enabling top panels to be rough cut to much less exacting tolerances than is required today. It is an object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus and system.

In one aspect, the present invention is a system for finishing and securing an exterior siding top panel attached to a wall. The wall meets an adjacent surface at a right-angle corner at a top end of the wall. The system comprises a siding panel covering the adjacent surface and a J-channel bracket mounted on the adjacent surface at the corner for holding an end of the siding panel covering the adjacent surface. Additionally, the system includes a top panel snap-in trim for holding a top end of the siding top panel and means for interlocking the J-channel bracket and the top panel snap-in trim to assist in finishing and securing the siding top panel to the wall.

In another aspect, the present invention is a system for finishing and securing an exterior siding top panel to a wall. The wall meets an adjacent surface at a right-angle corner at a top end of the wall. The system comprises a siding panel covering the adjacent surface, a J-channel bracket mounted on the adjacent surface at the corner for holding an end of the siding panel covering the adjacent surface and a J-channel bracket including a J-channel snap-in trim having a hook at the end. Additionally, the system includes a top panel snap-in trim for holding a top end of the siding top panel. The top panel snap-in trim is approximately 3 inches high and includes a top panel snap-in trim extender having a grasper formed therein, and means for interlocking the J-channel bracket and the top panel snap-in trim to cause the top panel snap-in trim to contact the siding top panel at the lower end of the top panel snap-in trim, thereby assisting in securing the siding top panel to the wall.

In still another aspect, the present invention is a method of finishing and securing an exterior siding top panel to a wall. The wall meets an adjacent surface at a right-angle corner at a top end of the wall. The method includes the steps of covering the adjacent surface with a siding panel and mounting a J-channel bracket on the adjacent surface at the corner. The J-channel bracket holds an end of the siding panel covering the adjacent surface. The siding top panel is then attached to the wall. Next, the top panel snap-in trim interlocks with a J-channel bracket. Then the siding top panel at the lower end of the top panel snap-in trim contacts the siding top panel to the wall.

In another aspect, the present invention is a system for assisting in finishing and securing an exterior siding top panel to a wall. The wall meets an adjacent surface at a right-angle corner at a top end of the wall. The system comprises a finish trim bracket mounted on the adjacent surface at the corner, a top panel snap-in trim for holding a top end of the siding top panel, and means for interlocking the finish trim bracket and the top panel snap-in trim to assist in finishing and securing the siding top panel to the wall.

The invention will be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following drawings, in conjunction with the accompanying specification, in which:

FIG. 1 (prior art) is a sectional view illustrating the existing siding system for securing a top panel, and an adjacent soffit panel, utilizing separate J-channel brackets;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the preferred embodiment of the top panel snap-in trim of the present invention attached to a J-channel for a soffit panel and retaining the top panel of an adjacent wall;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the top panel snap-in trim of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating an alternate embodiment of the top panel snap-in trim of the present invention in which the snap-in trim is attached to a finish trim bracket of an adjacent wall.

The present invention is a system and method for assisting in finishing and securing the top panel of exterior siding.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating the existing siding system for securing a top panel, and an adjacent soffit panel, utilizing separate J-channel brackets. The existing siding system 1 includes a top panel J-channel bracket 3, a top panel 5, a soffit panel J-channel bracket 7, a soffit panel 9, a side wall 11, a soffit 13, a nail 15, a nail 16, a clip 17, a gap 19, a clip 21, and a gap 23.

The top panel 5 is secured to the side wall 11 by the top panel J-channel bracket 3. The J-channel bracket 3 runs for the entire length of the building where the top panel 5 is located. The top panel 5 covers the side wall 11. The top panel 5 is attached to the side wall 11 by various means. In the method depicted in FIG. 1, the top panel 5 is attached by depositing a silicone glue to the uppermost portion of the top panel 5 in order to adhere it to the J-channel bracket 3 within the gap 19. Another common method is to attach a mounting clip to the J-channel bracket 3, such as described in Champagne II, which positions the top panel 5 in the gap 19. The top panel J-channel bracket 3 is secured by the nail 16 to the side wall 11.

The soffit panel 9 is secured into the soffit panel J-channel bracket 7. The soffit panel J-channel bracket 7 is identical to the top panel J-channel bracket 3, except it is orientated in a different direction in order to receive the soffit panel 9. The soffit panel J-channel bracket 7 is secured to the soffit by the nail 15. The soffit panel 9 is secured by inserting the soffit panel 9 in the gap 23. The soffit panel 9 is held in place by the clip 21.

There are several disadvantages to the existing system. First, the top panel J-channel bracket 3 assists in securing the top panel 5 by clip 17, which measures no more than one inch. When an installer is fitting the top panel 5, the installer must insure that the top panel 5 properly fits within the gap 19. If the installer cuts the top panel 5 too short, the top panel 5 will not extend far enough into the J-channel to secure the panel. If he cuts the top panel too high, it will not fit between the J-channel and the next panel below. The tolerance on this cut is less than half an inch. Therefore, the installer must meticulously cut the top panel 5 to properly fit in the top panel J-channel bracket 3. The process of precisely cutting the top panel 5 can be very time consuming. Additionally, since the top panel 5 is secured within the top panel J-channel bracket 3 by only about one inch of the clip 17, the top panel 5 has a tendency to work itself out of the top panel J-channel bracket 3 over the passage of time.

An additional disadvantage of the existing system is that two J-channel brackets are required, one J-channel bracket for the soffit panel and another J-channel bracket for the top panel. Therefore, more time and materials are needed to install the additional J-channel brackets.

Finally, on many occasions, cables and wires have to be hung outside of the exterior siding. Therefore, cables are exposed to the environment and detract from the aesthetic appearance of the building and the side paneling.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the preferred embodiment of the top panel snap-in trim of the present invention attached to a J-channel for a soffit panel and retaining the top panel of an adjacent wall. The top panel snap-in trim system 31 includes a soffit panel J-channel bracket 33 having a J-channel clip 35 and a hook 37, a soffit panel 39, a J-channel gap 41, a top panel snap-in trim 43 having a top panel snap-in trim grasper 45 and a top panel snap-in trim fastener 47, a top panel 49, a nail 50, a top panel gap 51, a side wall 53, and a soffit 55.

The J-channel bracket 33 used to secure soffit panels in the system 31 is commonly used in the exterior siding industry. In the orientation depicted in FIG. 2, the J-channel bracket 33 is secured to the soffit 55 and rests against the side wall 53. The J-channel bracket 33 runs for the entire length of the house where the soffit 55 is located. The soffit panel 39 is the exterior siding used to cover the soffit 55. The soffit panel 39 is inserted into the J-channel gap 41. The soffit panel 39 is held in place within the J-channel gap 41 by the J-channel clip 35. The J-channel clip 35 is a horizontal outcropping of the J-channel bracket 33. The J-channel clip 35 extends out approximately one inch from the base of the J-channel bracket 33. The J-channel clip 35 is formed into a hook 37 at its end.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the top panel snap-in trim 43 according to the teachings of the present invention. The top panel snap-in trim 43 is a snap-in trim made from almost any material used in the siding industry, such as poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) coated aluminum or vinyl. The top panel snap-in trim 43 may be constructed by bending a single sheet of, for example aluminum, into the shape shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The top panel snap-in trim 43 includes a top panel snap-in trim grasper 45, a top panel snap-in trim fastener 47, a top panel snap-in trim extender 61, a top panel snap-in trim base 63, and a top panel snap-in trim stiffener 65. The top panel snap-in trim grasper 45 makes an acute angle with reference to the top panel snap-in trim extender 61. The top panel snap-in trim extender 61 is such a length from the top panel snap-in trim base 63 to the top panel snap-in trim grasper 45, to form the gap 51 allowing the insertion of a top panel 49 into the gap 51. The top panel snap-in trim base 63 extends perpendicularly from the top panel snap-in trim extender 61. The top panel snap-in trim base 63 bends diagonally inward toward the side wall 53 to form a top panel snap-in trim fastener 47. The length of the top panel snap-in trim base 63 and the top panel snap-in trim fastener 47 is together, normally approximately three inches long, however the length may vary with the preference of the siding installer. Longer lengths allow for rougher cuts of the top panel, but lengths over three inches may detract from the aesthetic appearance. Attached to the end of the top panel snap-in trim fastener 47 is the top panel snap-in trim stiffener 65 providing additional stiffness and reinforcement at the bottom of the top panel snap-in trim fastener 47.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, when the soffit panel 39 is held in place at the J-channel bracket 33, the top panel snap-in trim 43 may then be utilized. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, horizontal slots are placed along a top edge of the top panel 49. The top panel 49 is then fastened to the side wall 53 by the nail 50. After the top panel 49 is attached to the side wall 53 by nail 50, the top panel snap-in trim 43 is inserted into the gap 41. The top panel snap-in trim 43 snaps into the gap 41 allowing the interlocking of the top panel snap-in trim grasper 45 and the hook 37 at the end of the J-channel clip 35. The top panel snap-in trim 43 is held securely in place between the soffit panel 39 and the hook 37 forming a lock from which the top panel snap-in trim 43 cannot be removed from the J-channel bracket 33. The top panel 49 is held in place in the gap 51 by the top panel snap-in trim base 63 and the top panel snap-in trim fastener 47. The top panel snap-in trim fastener 47 contacts the top panel 49 at approximately three inches from the top of the top panel 49. This is well below the point to which the top panel may shift over time. Additionally, the top panel snap-in trim 43 completely hides the nail 50.

The top panel snap-in trim 43 provides many advantages over the existing system 1. By using the top panel snap-in trim 43, a J-channel bracket is completely eliminated from assisting in securing and finishing a top panel to a side wall. Since the top panel snap-in trim 43 extends down much farther than the J-channel clip 17, the exacting measurements needed in fitting top panels to a house are eliminated. With the top panel snap-in trim 43, a siding installer can "rough cut" the top panel 49 and nail the top panel 49 to the side wall 53, thereby decreasing the time necessary in installing the siding. Additionally, the top panel snap-in trim 43 is easily installed by snapping the top panel snap-in trim 43 into the J-channel 33, thus eliminating the time consuming process of nailing or fastening an additional J-channel to the side wall 53. The top panel snap-in trim 43 inter-connects with additional top panel snap-in trim sections, thereby eliminated the need for nails, screws or rivets to combine sections. In addition, since the top panel snap-in trim 43 extends further down on the top panel 49, the top panel 49 is more securely attached to the side wall 53, and the top panel 49 cannot work its way below the area covered by the top panel snap-in trim 43.

The gap 51 formed between the top panel snap-in trim 43 and the top panel 49 forms a chamber through which exterior cables may be run. The cables are thus protected from the elements by the top panel snap-in trim 43 and are hidden from view. Finally, the top panel snap-in trim 43 actually enhances the beauty of the exterior siding. The unsightly and uneven appearance that can occur from placing two J-channels together is eliminated. Additionally, caulking is no longer necessary for the upper section of the top panel. Also, painting over trim nails is not necessary, since the trim nails are completely hidden by the top panel snap-in trim 43. The top panel snap-in trim 43 acts as a trim device which may be painted a coordinated color to accentuate the aesthetic appearance of the exterior siding and create a crown molding effect.

Although the top panel snap-in trim 43 has been illustrated as being attached to the J-channel bracket used to secure soffit panels, the top panel snap-in trim 43 is not limited to this embodiment. Any J-channel bracket, or any similar mounting bracket, may be used in conjunction with the top panel snap-in trim 43. For example, the top panel snap-in trim 43 may attach to a J-channel bracket securing adjacent side walls, gables, or eaves. The top panel snap-in trim 43 may be used both vertically and horizontally depending on the orientation of the J-channel bracket to which it attaches. In addition, the top panel snap-in trim 43 may be adjusted for various angles when used with J-channel brackets for angling overhangs.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating an alternate embodiment of the top panel snap-in trim of the present invention in which the snap-in trim is attached to a finish trim bracket of an adjacent wall. The top panel snap-in trim system 71 includes a top panel snap-in trim 43 having a top panel snap-in trim grasper 45 and a top panel snap-in trim fastener 47, a top panel 49, a nail 50, atop panel gap 51, a side wall 53, a soffit 55, and a finish trim bracket 73 having a finish trim clip 75 and a finish trim hook 77.

The finish trim bracket 73 is used in areas adjacent to brick walls or voids where siding is not used on adjacent walls. Additionally, the finish trim bracket 73 may be used either horizontally or vertically. In FIG. 4, the finish trim bracket 73 is positioned where the side wall 53 and the soffit 55 meet. The finish trim clip 75 is a horizontal outcropping of the finish trim bracket 73. Since the finish trim bracket 73 is not securing a soffit panel to a soffit, the finish trim bracket 73 does not have a gap of the size needed to receive a soffit panel. However, like a J-channel bracket, the finish trim clip 75 is formed into the finish trim hook 77 at its end.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, horizontal slots are placed along a top edge of the top panel 49. The top panel 49 is then fastened to the side wall 53 by the nail 50. After the top panel 49 is attached to the side wall 53 by the nail 50, the top panel snap-in trim 43 is inserted into the finish trim bracket 73. The top panel snap-in trim grasper 45 interlocks into the finish trim hook 77. The top panel snap-in trim 43 is held securely in place between the soffit 55 and the finish trim hook 77 forming a lock from which the top panel snap-in trim cannot be removed from the finish trim bracket 73. The top panel snap-in trim fastener 47 contacts the top panel 49 at approximately three inches from the top of the top panel 49. This is well below the point to which the top panel may shift over time. Additionally, the top panel snap-in trim 43 completely hides the nail 50.

It is thus believed that the operation and construction of the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description. While the apparatus and system shown and described have been characterized as being preferred, it will be readily apparent that various changes and modifications could be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.