Apparatus for Aiding in the Installation and Sealing of Siding

Abstract

An apparatus ( 100 ) for aiding in the installation of successive horizontal layers of siding members ( 150 ) to a sidewall construction ( 50 ). The apparatus ( 100 ) also aids in the sealing of the seams between successive horizontal siding layers. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the apparatus ( 100 ) is used to aid in the installation and sealing of siding members ( 150 ) comprised of a fiber cement composite material. The fiber cement composite siding members ( 150 ) are heavier than traditional siding pieces and require more than one person to lift for installation. With the use of the apparatus ( 100 ), successive horizontal layers of composite siding members ( 150 ) can be installed on the sidewall construction ( 50 ) by a single person. One or more sealing members 207 secure and seal the siding members ( 150 ) to the apparatus ( 100 ) and provide a moisture impervious seal between the seams of successive layers of the horizontal siding members ( 150 ).

1 . An apparatus for aiding in the installation and sealing of successive layers of siding members to a sidewall construction; comprising:
 a planar body, said planar body comprising first, second, third, and fourth peripheral edges;   a first channel disposed outwardly and upwardly from a first surface of the planar body; and   a second channel disposed outwardly and downwardly from a second surface of the planar body, said second channel disposed a predetermined distance from the third peripheral edge of said planar body.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first channel is disposed outwardly and upwardly from the front surface along the fourth edge of the planar body. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined distance is in a range from between greater than zero to a distance less than the distance between the third and fourth peripheral edges of the planar body. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said second channel is disposed a distance in the range of greater than zero inches to one and one-eighth inches from the fourth peripheral edge of said planar body. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first channel defines a recess configured for receiving a second edge of a siding member defining a second siding layer of a sidewall construction. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said second channel defines a recess configured for attaching to a first edge of a siding member defining a first siding layer of a sidewall construction. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first channel is u-shaped and has a width of one-quarter inch. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said second channel is u-shaped and has a width of one-quarter inch. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second channels extend between said first and second peripheral edges. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said planar body, said at first channel, and said second channel are comprised of a material that is a member of the group consisting of plastic, metal and composite. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing member disposed adjacent to at least one of said first and second channels. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said sealing member is a member of the group consisting of an adhesive strip with a peel-off backing and liquid adhesive. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said planar body has a length between said first and second edges in the range of between greater than zero and three inches. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus for aiding in the installation and sealing of successive layers of siding members to a sidewall construction; comprising:
 a planar body, said planar body comprising first, second, third, and fourth peripheral edges;   a first channel disposed outwardly and upwardly from a first surface of the planar body;   a second channel disposed outwardly and downwardly from a second surface of the planar body, said second channel disposed adjacent to the third peripheral edge of said planar body; and   at least one sealing member disposed adjacent to said first and second channels.   
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said second channel is disposed a distance in the range of greater than zero inches to one and one-eighth inches from the fourth peripheral edge of said planar body. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said first channel defines a recess configured for receiving a second edge of a siding member defining a second siding layer of a sidewall construction. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said second channel defines a recess configured for attaching to a first edge of a siding member defining a first siding layer of a sidewall construction. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said first and second channels extend between said first and second peripheral edges. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said planar body, said at first channel, and said second channel are comprised of a material that is a member of the group consisting of plastic, metal and composite. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said sealing member is a member of the group consisting of an adhesive strip with a peel-off backing and liquid adhesive.