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US 5,022,207 AGranted
Building panel having locking flange and locking receptacle
AssigneeAluminum Company of America
InventorG. Robert Hartnett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A building panel useful as vinyl soffit in residential construction. The building panel comprises a principal portion, a locking flange, and a locking receptacle interlocking with the locking flange of an adjacent panel. The building panel is easy to assemble and combines high strength with a pleasant appearance.
Claims16
A building panel made from a synthetic polymer and configured for interlocking engagement with adjacent panels, said building panel comprising:
- (a) a principal portion having a front surface and first and second lateral end portions;
- (b) a locking flange extending from said first lateral end portion and comprising:
- (1) a leg extending rearwardly of said principal portion;
- (2) a locking tab extending laterally outward of said leg rearward of said principal portion;
- and,
- (3) a locking lug extending frontward from said locking tab;
- and
- (c) a locking receptacle extending from said second lateral end portion and, comprising:
- (1) an arm extending rearward of said principal portion, said arm comprising a connecting piece extending from said second lateral end portion and an elbow extending from said connecting piece, said elbow comprising a first portion extending laterally inward and a second portion extending frontward of said first portion;
- (2) a flap comprising a leg extending laterally inward from said second portion, a connector extending rearwardly from said leg, and a wing extending from said connector laterally outward, said wing being in a parallel relationship with said leg, said flap and said second portion defining a locking notch for receiving a locking lug from an adjacent panel, said flap and said first portion defining a passageway narrower than said locking tab and locking lug for retention of the locking tab in said locking notch;
- and
- (3) a fastening strip extending rearwardly of said wing and laterally outward from said flap, said fastening strip defining a fastening slot.
9 more elements
A vinyl soffit panel formed from a single continuous strip and comprising:
- (a) a generally planar principal portion having a bottom surface and first and second spaced lateral end portions;
- (b) a generally L-shaped locking flange integrally formed with said principal portion and extending from said first lateral end portion, said locking flange comprising:
- (1) a leg extending upwardly of said principal portion;
- (2) a locking tab extending laterally outward of said leg upward of said principal panel;
- and,
- (3) a locking lug extending downward from said locking tab;
- and
- (c) a locking receptacle integrally formed with said principal portion and extending from said second lateral end, portion, said locking receptacle comprising:
- (1) a generally J-shaped arm extending upwardly of said principal portion, said arm comprising a connecting piece extending from said second lateral end portion and an elbow extending from said connecting piece;
- (2) a generally C-shaped flap attached to said elbow and looped around said arm, said flap and said arm defining a locking notch for receiving a locking lug from an adjacent unit, said flap and said elbow defining a passageway narrower in vertical extent than said locking tab and locking lug;
- and,
- (3) a fastening strip extending rearwardly of said wing and laterally outward from said flap.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.