Building Insulation and Siding Connector

Abstract

A connector strip is mechanically attached to the planar surface defined by wooden or metallic walls. In a first embodiment the connector strip has an elongate I-beam configuration with a proximal end having transverse arms that define a flattened base that is attachable to the wall. A central rib member extends from the proximal end and is transverse to the plane of the transverse arms. The distal end of the connector strip is also defined by arms that are transverse to the central rib and which define an insulation board receiving slot between the arms on the proximal and distal ends. The arms at the distal end-the outer end of the connector strip when it is attached to a wall, serve as a surface onto which exterior materials such as siding and sheetrock may be anchored with nails or screws.

1 . A connector for attaching insulation and siding to a wall, comprising:
 a central rib section;   a first nailing member extending transverse to the central rib section at a proximal end thereof; and   a second nailing member extending transverse to the central rib section at a proximal end thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The connector according to  claim 1  in which the first and second nailing member extends from the central rib section on both sides thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The connector according to  claim 2  wherein the first and second nailing members are spaced apart to define a space for receiving insulation between the first and second nailing members. 
     
     
         4 . The connector according to  claim 1  in which the first and second nailing member extends from the central rib section on only one side thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The connector according to  claim 2  in which the first nailing member extends over the entire length of the connector. 
     
     
         6 . The connector according to  claim 1  in which the first nailing member is defined by plural tabs that extend from said central rib section. 
     
     
         7 . The connector according to  claim 6  in which said tabs alternate on both sides of said central rib section. 
     
     
         8 . The connector according to  claim 4  in which the first nailing member is defined by plural tabs that extend from said central rib section. 
     
     
         9 . The connector of  claim 1  in combination with a wall in which the connector is attached to the wall with fasteners driven through the first nailing member and into the wall to thereby attach the connector to the wall, and including an insulation board retained between the first nailing member and the second mailing member, and further including siding attached to the connector with a fastener driven through the siding and into the second nailing member. 
     
     
         10 . A connector for attaching insulation and siding to a wall, comprising:
 a central section having first and second sides and proximal and distal ends;   a retaining means at the proximal end of the central section for attaching said connector to said wall;   a nailing member at a distal end of the elongate central section and said nailing member defined by arms extending transversely from said central section at the distal end thereof and on the first and second sides thereof; and   a slot defined between the retaining means and the nailing member.   
     
     
         11 . The connector according to  claim 10  wherein the retaining means further comprises a nailing member defined by arms extending transversely from said central section at the distal end thereof and on the first and second sides thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The connector according to  claim 11  wherein the slot is configured for receiving a lateral edge of an insulation board. 
     
     
         13 . The connector according to  claim 10  wherein the nailing member is defined by tabs extending transversely from said central section. 
     
     
         14 . The connector of  claim 10  in a wall layout comprising:
 a wall; 
 wherein the connector is attached to the wall with fasteners driven through the retaining means to thereby attach the connector to the wall; and 
 an insulation board retained against the wall in the slot between the retaining means and the nailing member. 
 
     
     
         15 . The connector of  claim 14  in a wall layout further comprising siding attached to the nailing member with fasteners driven through the siding and into the nailing member. 
     
     
         16 . A method of attaching insulation board to a wall, comprising the steps of:
 a) attaching a connector to a wall by driving fasteners through a first nailing member on a proximal end of said connector, wherein said connector is defined by a member having a central rib section, a first transverse nailing member extending transverse to the central rib section and a second transverse nailing member extending from the central rib section at a distal end thereof to define an insulation board receiving slot between the first and second transverse nailing members; and   b) attaching insulation to the connector to retain the insulation board against the wall by inserting a lateral edge of the insulation board into the receiving slot of the connector.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  including the step of attaching siding by applying siding over the insulation board and driving fasteners through the siding and the second transverse nailing member. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  including the step of attaching a second connector to the wall, the second connector having an insulation board receiving slot, and inserting a second lateral edge of the insulation board in the insulation board receiving slot of the second connector. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  including the step of attaching siding by applying siding over the insulation board and the first and second connectors and driving fasteners through the siding and second transverse nailing members of both the first and second connectors.