Siding Installation System

Abstract

A siding installation system uses a clip that mounts on a course of siding and a removable tool that engages the clip and acts as a temporary support for a next course of siding. After the next course of siding is installed, the tool may be removed and the clip left in place. The clip may have several different embodiments, including versions that slide behind a lower course of siding and other embodiments that are fastened to an exterior wall. The clip may rest on the top surface of the lower course and have an engagement mechanism for the removable tool. The removable tool may clamp or otherwise engage the clip and have a support surface for the next course of siding. In some embodiments, the removable tool may have a changeable support surface so that different overlap distances may be used.

1 . A system comprising:
 a clip configured to engage a top surface of a first course of siding and mount between a second course of siding and a wall, said clip having an engagement mechanism; and   a tool configured to removably engage said engagement mechanism and having a support surface a predetermined distance from said top surface of said first course when engaged to said clip, said support surface being configured to engage a bottom surface of said second course of siding.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , said clip being further configured to mount between a rear surface of said first course and said wall. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , said clip further having an engagement tab configured to be wedged between said rear surface of said first course and said wall. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , said clip further having a striking surface opposite said engagement tab. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , said clip being further configured to mount between a rear surface of said second course and said wall. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , said clip being stalled to said wall using a fastener. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , said engagement mechanism comprising a first recess in said clip configured to accept a first prong from said tool. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , said engagement mechanism comprising a second recess in said clip configured to accept a second prong from said tool. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , said first recess and said second recess being on opposite sides of said clip. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , said tool comprising a first arm and a second arm. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , said tool further comprising a spring mechanism configured to force said first arm and said second arm to engage said engagement mechanism. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , said tool having a selectable mechanism by which said predetermined distance may be changed. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , said selectable mechanism comprising a rotating element, said rotating element having said support surface. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , said rotating element having stops at predefined increments. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 13 , said rotating element having a continuously variable predetermined distance. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , said tool comprising a locking mechanism for said rotating element. 
   
   
       17 . A clip comprising:
 a tab configured to engage between a first course of siding and a wall;   a reference surface configured to engage a top surface of said first course of siding; and   an engagement mechanism configured to engage a removable tool, said removable tool having a reference surface at a predetermined distance from said top surface of said first course of siding when said clip is engaged to said top surface of said first course of siding.   
   
   
       18 . The clip of  claim 17  further comprising:
 a bendable element configured to bend when a second course of siding is installed and said removable tool is removed.   
   
   
       19 . A tool comprising:
 an engagement mechanism for a clip mounted to engage a top surface of a first course of siding; and   a reference surface configured to support a bottom surface of a second course of siding at a predetermined distance from said top surface of said first course of siding.   
   
   
       20 . The tool of  claim 19  further comprising:
 a holding surface adjacent to said reference surface configured to engage an exterior surface of said second course of siding while said second course of siding is engaged with said reference surface.