Hidden fastener to secure loose vinyl siding

Abstract

A hidden siding fastener is provided. The hidden siding fastener includes an upper nail hem hook and an opposing lower pressure point, fold point and lock engagement hook extending therefrom. The nail hem hook is threaded through the back side of a lower piece of siding panel so that the lock engagement hook can nest into a siding lock slot of the same siding panel. Thereby, a separate upper piece of siding panel and specifically its siding lock hook can operatively associate with the lock engagement hook and fold point in a locked engagement, while the pressure point urges a more secure locked engagement between the two pieces of siding panel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for forming a locked engagement an upper siding panel and a lower siding panel, comprising:
 providing a siding fastener comprising:
 a front plate extending between an upper end and a lower end; 
 the upper end turns radially until transitioning into a nail hem hook extending diagonally downward away from the upper end; 
 the lower end turns diagonally downward and rearward, at a pressure point, until transitioning radially upward, and further rearward, to define a lower fold; 
 the lower fold radially turns at a fold point toward the lower end; and 
 a lock engagement hook extends upwardly and rearward from a distal end of the lower fold; 
   providing a lower siding panel having a nail hem;   providing an upper siding panel having a siding lock hook extending from a lower edge;   nesting the lock engagement hook in the siding lock slot;   bending a top portion of the front plate over the nail hem; and   associating the siding lock hook with the lock engagement hook in the locked engagement.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure point operatively associates with an interior portion of the upper siding panel so as to urge said siding lock hook, whereby further securing the locked engagement. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the lower fold is disposed downward of the siding lock slot, whereby the siding lock hook can engage said lower fold outside of the siding lock slot. 
     
     
         4 . A siding fastener, comprising:
 a front plate extending between an upper end and a lower end;   the upper end turns radially until transitioning into a nail hem hook extending diagonally downward away from the upper end;   the lower end turns diagonally downward and rearward, at a pressure point, until transitioning radially upward, and further rearward, to define a lower fold;   the lower fold radially turns at a fold point toward the lower end; and   a lock engagement hook extends upwardly and rearward from a distal end of the lower fold.