Siding joinery with fastener

Abstract

A panel system includes a pair of panels coupled together at corresponding vertical ends by a mechanical fastener accessory including first and second protrusions respectively piercing each panel to provide a composite panel with a substantially planar surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A panel system comprising:
 a first panel and a second panel of a pair of panels; and   a mechanical fastener accessory including a first protrusion piercing the first panel and a second protrusion piercing the second panel and coupling the first panel and second panel at adjacent vertical ends as a single composite panel wherein an outer surface of the first panel and an outer surface of the second panel together provide a substantially planar row outer surface.   
     
     
         2 . The panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of panels are building siding panels. 
     
     
         3 . The panel system of  claim 2 , further comprising a seam section of the pair of panels at the adjacent vertical ends without a bulge or gap. 
     
     
         4 . The panel system of  1 , further comprising a seam section of the pair of panels at the adjacent vertical ends without a bulge or gap. 
     
     
         5 . The panel system of  claim 2  wherein the composite panel is assembled in a horizontal row adjacent to horizontal rows of other composite panels covering a building wall. 
     
     
         6 . The panel system of  5 , further comprising a seam section of the pair of panels at the adjacent vertical ends without a bulge or gap. 
     
     
         7 . The panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the composite panel is assembled in a horizontal row adjacent to horizontal rows of other composite panels covering a surface. 
     
     
         8 . The panel system of  7 , further comprising a seam section of the pair of panels at the adjacent vertical ends without a bulge or gap. 
     
     
         9 . The panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical fastener accessory is a mechanical cleat and the first protrusion is a first barb and the second protrusion is a second barb. 
     
     
         10 . The panel system of  claim 9 , wherein the first barb is piercing a first flange of the first panel and the second barb is piercing a second flange of the second panel. 
     
     
         11 . The panel system of  claim 9 , wherein the adjacent vertical ends provide a butt joint of the composite panel. 
     
     
         12 . The panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the first protrusion is piercing a first flange of the first panel and the second protrusion is piercing a second flange of the second panel. 
     
     
         13 . The panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjacent vertical ends provide a butt joint of the composite panel. 
     
     
         14 . The panel system of  claim 3 , wherein the mechanical fastener accessory is a mechanical cleat and the first protrusion is a first barb piercing a first flange of the first panel and the second protrusion is a second barb piercing a second flange of the second panel. 
     
     
         15 . The panel system of  claim 3 , wherein the adjacent vertical ends provide a butt joint of the composite panel and wherein the mechanical fastener accessory is a mechanical cleat and the first protrusion is a first barb and the second protrusion is a second barb. 
     
     
         16 . The panel system of  claim 16 , wherein the first barb is piercing a first flange of the first panel and the second barb is piercing a second flange of the second panel. 
     
     
         17 . The panel system of  claim 6 , wherein the mechanical fastener accessory is a mechanical cleat and the first protrusion is a first barb and the second protrusion is a second barb. 
     
     
         18 . The panel system of  claim 17 , wherein the first barb is piercing a first flange of the first panel and the second barb is piercing a second flange of the second panel. 
     
     
         19 . The panel system of  claim 17 , wherein the adjacent vertical ends provide a butt joint of the composite panel. 
     
     
         20 . The panel system of  claim 8 , wherein the mechanical fastener accessory is a mechanical cleat and the first protrusion is a first barb and the second protrusion is a second barb.