Panel For Covering A Wall With Uplock Engagement

Abstract

A siding panel for installation in courses, includes features that allow for proper panel to panel engagement, so that the divisions between the individual panels can not be seen. Panels are joined in a friction fit after being brought together by a free panel being moved vertically upward into a frictional engagement with an attached panel. Joining is complete based frictional engagement and frictional locking between portions of each panel.

1 . A panel for attachment to an exterior of a structure, comprising:
 a body for supporting at least one element, and including an upper portion, a lower portion, first and second lateral ends, a front side, and a rear side;   an attachment hem adjacent the upper portion of the body, the attachment hem defining at least one aperture for a fastener to extend therethrough and into the exterior of a structure;   an engagement member at the first lateral end, the engagement member including at least one portion for frictionally fitting in a pocket; and   a pocket at the second lateral end, the pocket of a width to frictionally engage the at least one portion of the engagement member when the at least one portion of the engagement member extends into the pocket.   
     
     
         2 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one portion of the engagement member and the pocket are configured such that the engagement of the at least one portion of the engagement member in the pocket is indicated tactilely. 
     
     
         3 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement member includes a plurality of portions with at least one forward portion for frictionally fitting in a the pocket proximate to the front side of the body, and at least one rearward portion for contacting the exterior of a structure, proximate to the rear side of the body. 
     
     
         4 . The panel of  claim 3 , wherein the rearward portion includes at least one aperture for a fastener to extend therethrough and into an exterior of a structure. 
     
     
         5 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the body supports a plurality of elements in a predetermined pattern. 
     
     
         6 . The panel of  claim 3 , wherein the body includes a midflange intermediate the upper portion and the lower portion. 
     
     
         7 . The panel of  claim 6 , wherein the pocket includes a first wall and a second wall substantially perpendicular to each other on the midflange, the first wall intermediate the second wall and the rear side of the body. 
     
     
         8 . The panel of  claim 3 , wherein the upper portion includes at least one flange, extending from the front side of the panel, and the lower portion includes at least one U-shaped portion for engaging the at least one flange when two panels are joined. 
     
     
         9 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion and lower portion are oppositely disposed with respect to each other. 
     
     
         10 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the first lateral end and second lateral end are oppositely disposed with respect to each other. 
     
     
         11 . A method for joining siding panels comprising:
 providing at least two siding panels for attachment to an exterior of a structure, each panel comprising:   a body for supporting at least one element, and including an upper portion, a lower portion, first and second lateral ends, a front side, and a rear side;   an attachment hem adjacent the upper portion of the body, the attachment hem defining at least one aperture for a fastener to extend therethrough and into an exterior of a structure;   an engagement member at the first lateral end, the engagement member including at least one portion for frictionally fitting in a pocket; and   a pocket at the second lateral end, the pocket of a width to frictionally engage the at least one portion of the engagement member when the at least one portion of the engagement member extends into the pocket;   attaching a first siding panel to an exterior of a structure;   placing a second siding panel under the attached first siding panel such that the pocket is substantially vertically aligned with the engagement member of the attached first siding panel; and   moving the second siding panel vertically upward such that the pocket contacts the engagement member.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , additionally comprising:
 continuing to move the second siding panel vertically upward until the engagement member locks into place in the pocket in a frictional engagement.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the continuing to move the second siding panel vertically upward includes moving the second lateral end of the second siding panel adjacent to the first lateral end of the first panel. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the structure includes a wall. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the structure includes a roof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the structure includes the wall of a building. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the structure includes the roof of a building.