Decorative wall covering
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     1. Crick et al. U.S. application Ser. No. 07/487,910 on Decorative Wall Covering filed Mar. 5, 1990. 
     2. Crick et al. U.S. application Ser. No. 07/488,351 on Decorative Wall Cover And Method Of Installation filed Mar. 2, 1990. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to roof and wall coverings primarily intended for outdoor usage, and more particularly, to roof and wall coverings comprised of relatively large panels which each are molded or otherwise formed with decorative patterns characteristic of conventional roofing and siding materials such as shake, tile, brick or the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various synthetic roof and wall coverings are known today, such as those formed of elongated thermoplastic panels that are nailed to the wall or roof support surface in horizontal courses or rows in partially overlapping relation to each other so as to provide a substantially water resistant, protective layer over the support surface. While it is desirable that the panels facilitate drainage of rain water and the like to which they are exposed in the outside environment, heretofore this has presented problems. Because of the surface tension of water, capillary action often causes water to be drawn inwardly between overlapping marginal edge portions of adjacent panels and enter the space beneath the panels, either through nail holes or about the peripheral edges of the panels, becoming trapped under the panels. Such capillary water movement worsens during high wind and storm conditions. Not only does the trapped moisture under the panels increase the possibility for leakage and damage to the wall or roof, but upon freezing, the expanding moisture tends to lift the overlapping edge portions, further breaking the protective barrier between the panels and the support surface. 
     The above identified Crick et al. applications Ser. Nos. 07/487,910 and 07/488,351, disclose synthetic wall and roof panels formed with water barrier ridges that impede capillary movement of water between overlapping marginal edge portions of adjacent panels and facilitate drainage. Since such panels are made of plastic and are relatively large in size, typically having a length of 48 inches or more, the panels tend to easily bend and deform upon handling and upon mounting on even slightly irregular wall and roof surfaces, which often occurs when the panels are being used as a replacement covering on an existing wall or roof. Deformation and bending of the panels, either as a result of mounting or because of exposure to severe weather conditions, can destroy peripheral seals between panels and permit leakage onto the support surface, notwithstanding the water barrier and drainage ridges. 
     OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a wall and roof panel that is adapted for positive interlocking engagement along its peripheral sides for maintaining a peripheral sealed condition between overlapping marginal edge portions of the panels, even when mounted on slightly irregular wall and roof support surfaces or when exposed to severe weather conditions. 
     Another object is to provide a synthetic wall and roof panel that has improved structural rigidity which tends to prevent bending and deformation during handling and upon mounting, and hence, further resists breakage or interruption of peripheral seals. 
     A further object is to provide a wall and roof panel of the foregoing type which is relatively simple in construction and which lends itself to economical manufacture and ease of installation. 
     Other objects and advantages o the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings, in which: 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective of a pair of panels that form the wall covering of the present invention, with one panel shown in exploded or separated relation to the other; 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of several courses or rows of the panels which comprise the illustrated wall covering, shown in assembled relation to each other; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the face side of a right-hand portion of one of the panels of the illustrated wall covering; 
     FIGS. 4-6 are enlarged fragmentary sections taken in the planes of lines 4--4, 5--5, and 6--6, respectively, in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 7 is a rear side plan view of one of the illustrated panels; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken in the plane of line 8--8 in FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view of the panel shown in FIG. 7 taken in the plane of line 9--9; and 
     FIGS. 10-12 are enlarged fragmentary sections taken in the planes of lines 10--10, 11--11, and 12--12, respectively, in FIG. 2, illustrating the overlapping and interlocking relation between adjacent marginal edge portions of the panels. 
    
    
     While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof has been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown an illustrative wall covering 10 comprising a plurality of panels 11 each embodying the present invention. The panels 11 , which preferably are molded out of relatively thin rigid plastic material, each are formed with simulated building elements. In this instance, the panels 11 are formed with simulated shake 12 of irregular width which are disposed in a plurality of parallel rows 12a, 12b and 12c, with adjacent shake 12 in each row being separated by a small gap 13. The illustrated simulated shake pattern is of a type known in the industry as &#34;perfection&#34; shake, wherein the lower edges 14a, 14b, 14c of each row 12a, 12b, 12c are in a substantially straight line. It will be understood that the panels 11 could be formed with other forms of simulated cedar shake shingles, or other types of building materials, such as tile, brick and the like. 
     Each panel 11 has an upper horizontal marginal edge region 15 having a substantially uniform width w extending across the top of the panel immediately above the top row 12a of shake 12, a lower marginal edge region 16 which defines a lower peripheral edge of the panel, a side marginal edge region 18 of non-uniform but generally similar width as the upper marginal edge region 15, and in this instance, located to the right-hand side of the last simulated shake 12 in each row 12a, 12b, and 12c, and a marginal edge region 19 on the opposite side of the panel 11 which defines a left-side peripheral edge immediately adjacent the first simulated shake of each row 12a, 12b, 12c. The panels 11 are mounted on a support surface 25, which may be a wall or roof of a house or other building structure, in horizontal courses with the right-side marginal edge region 18 in underlying relation to the left-side marginal edge region 19 of the panel immediately to the right thereof and with the lower marginal edge region 16 of the panels in each course overlying the upper marginal edge region 15 of the panels in the course immediately below. 
     The panels 11 preferably are mounted beginning with the left-hand panel of the lowermost course to be installed on the wall or roof, as is known in the art. The first panel in each course typically is cut at a different location along a left-hand side thereof in order that the simulated shake 12 of each course are offset with respect to the simulated shake of the panel in the course below so as to enhance the natural appearance of the wall covering. The panels 11 in this instance each have two predetermined cutting lines A, B along which the panels alternatively may be cut to start alternate courses as disclosed in the above identified Crick et al. application Ser. No. 07/488,35. 
     For securing the panels 11 to the support surface 25, the upper marginal edge region 15 of each panel is formed with a plurality of elongated laterally spaced nailing apertures 30. To enhance the water barrier features of the wall covering 10, the nailing apertures 30 preferably are covered with a thin plastic flashing 31 during the molding process (FIG. 3). Upon nailing each panel 11 to the support surface 25, the nail 32 will pierce the flashing 31, with the flashing 31 maintaining a relatively tight seal about the nail. Since the flashing 31 is relatively thin, such as on the order of .010 inch, it will allow horizontal expansion and retraction of the panel 11 as occurs during normal temperature variations in the outdoor environment. 
     For providing firm support for the mounted panels on the wall and roof during nailing and for establishing a seal between the rear side of the panel 11 and the support surface 25, the upper marginal edge region 15 is formed with a pair of rearwardly extending horizontal sealing flanges 35 which extend substantially the length of the upper marginal edge region 15 on opposite top and bottom sides of the nailing apertures 30 (FIGS. 7 and 12). Once the upper marginal edge region 15 is nailed to the support surface, the horizontal sealing flanges 35 are maintained firmly against the support surface 25 and cannot be lifted from the support surface even during severe weather conditions. 
     To facilitate horizontal alignment of the panels 11 during mounting of each course, the upper marginal edge region 15 of each panel is formed with an outwardly opening, generally rectangular configured locating slot 36 on the left-hand side thereof which is positionable onto a raised, generally rectangular locating lug 38 formed on the top right-hand side of the upper marginal edge region 15 of the previously mounted panel (FIGS. 3 and 7). The left-side marginal edge region 19 preferably is positionable onto the right-side marginal edge region 18 of the adjacent panel such that an expansion space or gap, on the order 1/4 inch, remains between the end of the locating lug 38 and the end of the locating slot 36. 
     In order to enable mounting of the panels 11 in side-by-side relation with the junctures between adjacent panels less noticeable to the eye, the rows 12a, 12b, 12c of shake 12 of each panel 11 extend in offset relation to each other so as to define stepped left and right-hand sides of the panel. In the illustrated embodiment, the middle row 12b of shake extends farther to the right than the first row 12a a distance corresponding to about one-quarter to one-half the width of one shake 12, and the bottom row 12c extends farther to the right than the middle row 12b about a similar distance. Hence, the right and left-side marginal edge regions 18, 19 of the panels similarly are stepped. 
     For interlocking the lower marginal edge region 16 of each panel to the upper marginal edge region 15 of the panel nailed to the support surface 25 immediately below, the underside of each panel has a plurality of integrally formed, laterally spaced, downwardly directed hooks 48 adapted for engaging the upper peripheral edges of the panels in the course below. The hooks 48 in this instance extend rearwardly from ridges 41 defined on the underside of the panel by the gaps 13 between the shake 12. 
     For properly positioning the lower marginal edge region 16 of one panel in overlapping relation to the upper marginal edge region 15 of the panel immediately therebelow, the bottom peripheral edge of each panel is in the form of a downwardly turned lip 50 that is positionable against an upwardly directed locating ledge 51 formed on the face side of the upper marginal edge region 15 of the underlying panel adjacent the upper edges of the top row 12a of simulated shake 12. Upon mounting of the panel 11, the lower peripheral edge of the lower row 14c of simulated shake 12 is disposed above the upper peripheral edge of the top row 12a of simulated shake of the panel immediately therebelow, again simulating the appearance of overlapping natural shake. To prevent the downwardly turned peripheral lip 50 of the upper panel from catching on the locating ledge 51 of the lower panel during mounting, the upper side of the locating ledge 51 is in the form of an inclined ramp 52 which will tend to guide the bottom peripheral lip 50 over the locating ledge 51 into proper position during installation. 
     For establishing seals between the overlapping bottom marginal edge region 16 of one panel and the upper marginal edge region 15 of the panel in the course immediately below, the downturned lower peripheral lip 50 bears against the face of the underlying panel to establish a primary seal 54 and the underlying panel has an upper peripheral edge in the form of an upwardly turned sealing lip 55 that is positionable into engagement with the underside of the lower marginal edge portion 16 of the overlapping panel to establish a secondary seal 56. The interlocking engagement of the upper marginal edge region 15 in the hooks 48 of the overlying panel retains the lips 50, 55 in sealing engagement to substantially prevent the entry of water into the space between the overlapping upper and lower marginal edge regions 15, 16. 
     For forming a primary seal between the overlapping side marginal edge regions 18, 19 of adjacent panels 11, the stepped left-side peripheral edge of each panel is formed with a stepped rearwardly directed sealing flange 70 adapted for bearing engagement with the face of the right-hand marginal edge region 18 of the previously mounted panel. (FIGS. 1, 4 and 7). Such mounting of the panels positions the first shake 12 in each row 12a, 12b, 12c in closely spaced relation to the last shake of each row of the previously mounted panel. The spacing or gap 71 between the shake of adjacent panels 11 preferably should correspond substantially to that of the fixed gaps 13 between shake 12 formed in the panels (FIG. 4). preferably the fixed gaps 13 between shake 12 are of various widths, such as in the range of between 1/4 inch and 5/16 inch, in order that the variance in the gap 71 between the last shake of each panel and the first shake of the adjacent panel caused by thermal expansion is substantially undetectable. To facilitate locating the left-hand peripheral edge of one panel 11 in properly overlapping relation onto the right-hand marginal edge region 18 of the previously mounted panel, the face of the right-hand marginal edge region 18 of each panel is formed with locating lines 72a, 72b, 72c immediately adjacent the last shake in each respective row 12a, 12b, 12c upon which the stepped, depending sealing flange 70 at the left-hand peripheral edge of the next mounted panel is positioned (FIG. 3). 
     In accordance with the invention, means are provided for positively interlocking the overlapping side marginal edge regions of adjacent panels for maintaining the overlapping side marginal edge regions in a firmly engaged sealed condition, even when the panels are mounted on slightly irregular wall and roof surfaces or are exposed to severe weather conditions, and for further preventing disruption of the seals between the overlapping top and bottom marginal edge regions. To this end, each panel 11 includes a plurality of integrally formed hooks 75 depending from the underside of the left-hand marginal edge region 19 which are adapted for positive snap action engagement with respective hook receiving apertures 76 formed adjacent the right-hand marginal edge region 18 of the underlying panel 11 and for drawing the side sealing flange 70 into firm bearing engagement with the underlying panel and for maintaining such condition. The hooks 75 each have an enlarged head 78 with a transversely oriented lip 78a that may be forcefully directed through the respective aperture 76 in the underlying panel 11 for engaging the underside of the panel adjacent the aperture 76 and positively retaining the overlapping side marginal edge regions 18, 19 in tight fitting relation to each other. For guiding the hooks 75 into engaged position in the respective hook receiving apertures 76 during assembly the head 78 of each hook is formed with a tapered or beveled side 79. The hooks 75 in this case are disposed in vertically spaced, laterally staggered relation, adjacent the staggered left-marginal edge region 19 of the panel. It will be seen that the interlocking engagement of the hooks 75 in hook receiving apertures 76 not only maintains the side marginal edge region seals, but further assists in preventing disorientation of the assembled mounted panels and disruption of the seals 54, 56 between the overlapping upper and lower marginal edge regions 15, 
     The hook receiving apertures 76 preferably are of elongated configuration, each having a width slightly greater than the width of the hook 75 for allowing for horizontal thermal expansion and contraction of the interlocked panels. An uninterrupted water barrier ridge 80, in this instance of rectangular configuration, is formed in upstanding relation about each hook receiving aperture for impeding the migration of moisture that may enter between the overlapping panel portions into the hook receiving apertures 76 (FIGS. 3 and 4). 
     In carrying out the invention, for rigidifying the panels 11 and for providing stable mounting of the panels on the support surface 25, each panel 11 has an integrally formed rectangular grid 84 of reinforcing and support ribs on the underside thereof (FIG. 7). The grid 84 includes a plurality of horizontally extending ribs 85 formed on the underside of the panel 1l adjacent the top and bottom of each row of shake, in addition to the lower sealing flange 50. To complete the grid 84, a plurality of vertically oriented, laterally spaced ribs 86 are formed on the underside of each panel at locations adjacent the sides of the some of the shake 12, and in this instance extending rearwardly from the ridges 41 defined by the separating gaps 13 between the shake 12. The substantially rectangular grid 84 defined by the horizontal and vertical ribs 85, 86 has been found to enhance the rigidity of the panels 11 so as to resist bending and deformation during handling and upon mounting, thereby further facilitating the establishment of reliable seals about the overlapping peripheral edge portions of the panels upon mounting. To minimize material and to prevent the existence of sharp edges, the reinforcing and support ribs 85, 86 preferably have rounded ends 85a, 86a, respectively. 
     To provide stable support for the right-hand marginal edge region 18 of a mounted panel 11 during insertion of the side interlocking hooks 75 into the underlying panel, pairs of reinforcing ribs 88 are formed on the underside of the right-hand marginal edge region 18 immediately adjacent each staggered side thereof. Again, to facilitate handling and minimize material usage, the opposite ends of the support ribs 88 are rounded as shown in FIG. 9. In addition, a support or lug pin 89 is provided on the underside of each panel immediately below each hook receiving aperture 76 for providing direct support for the panel immediately adjacent the aperture as the hook of the overlapping panel is forcefully directed through the aperture during assembly. The support lugs 89 either bear upon the support surface 25 (FIG. 11) or the underlying panel (FIG. 12). 
     In order to prevent capillary movement of water from entering the space between the overlapping marginal edge regions of the panels 11, a plurality of horizontal, vertically spaced, water barrier ridges 90, in this instance which are 3 in number, extend in upstanding relation from the face of the upper marginal edge region 15 of each panel 11, as disclosed in the aforesaid Crick et al. application Ser. No. 07/487,910. The barrier ridges 90 preferably are discontinuous in nature, being formed with laterally spaced drainage passages 91 in vertically offset relation to each other, for impeding and slowing down the capillary movement of water upwardly between the overlapping upper and lower marginal edge regions 15, 16, while permitting effective drainage of moisture in a downward direction (FIG. 3). The barrier ridges 90, which may be on the order of 1/16 to 1/18 inch in height, preferably are disposed on upper marginal edge region 15 of each panel between the locating ledge 51 and the nail apertures 30. 
     To further impede the capillary or creeping movement of water upwardly along the face of the upper marginal edge region 15 into the holes pierced by the mounting nails 32 and over the upper 20 peripheral edge of the panel 11, a pair of uninterrupted, upstanding nail aperture guard ridges 95 are integrally formed in the panel immediately adjacent top and bottom sides of the elongated nail apertures 30 (FIG. 3). The illustrated nail aperture guard ridges 95 communicate with a pair of laterally spaced vertical ridges 96 which facilitate downward drainage of moisture which may accumulate between the guard ridges 95. 
     For impeding water migration between overlapping side marginal edge regions 18, 19 of the panels and for facilitating drainage of moisture that may enter between the overlapping marginal edge regions, a plurality of vertical and horizontal water barrier ridges 98, 99, respectively, are integrally formed on the face side of the right-hand marginal edge region 18 of each panel immediately adjacent the stepped peripheral edge of the panel 11, the vertical barrier ridges 98 being in parallel relation to the vertical sides of the stepped peripheral edge and the horizontal barrier ridges 99 being in parallel relation to the horizontal portions of the stepped peripheral edge (FIG. 3). In the illustrated embodiment, three vertical barrier ridges 98a, 98b, 98c are provided, with a first barrier ridge 98a being formed in upstanding relation immediately adjacent a respective vertical edge of the stepped section and the second and third vertical barrier ridges 98b, 98c being inwardly disposed in parallel relation to the first. The first barrier ridge 98a is in the form of an upturned lip and the barrier ridges 98b, 98c each have a vertical side 100 which forms a barrier for preventing liquid migration in a direction from the face side of the panel outwardly toward the peripheral edge thereof (FIGS. 3 and 4). The other side of each vertical ridges 98b, 98c is in the form of a tapered ramp extending from the top of the ridge in a downwardly inclined direction for facilitating assembly of a second panel 11 onto the right-hand marginal edge region 18 of the previously mounted panel 11 by preventing the downwardly turned sealing lip 70 on the left-hand side of the panel from catching upon the barrier ridges 98. 
     The transverse barrier ridges 99 are formed in pairs, with a first transverse barrier ridge 99a adjacent a respective transverse peripheral edge portion of the upper marginal edge region 18 and a second barrier ridge 99b disposed in downwardly spaced relation to the first. The second transverse barrier ridge 99b of each pair is connected to the lowermost end of a respective vertical barrier ridge 98c and extends to a position in closely spaced relation near the upper end of the inner barrier ridge 98c adjacent the next downwardly stepped section of the panel. To facilitate drainage of water that may enter the space between the overlapping side marginal edge regions 18, 19, the drainage openings 101 are provided in the transverse barrier ridges 99a at locations adjacent the bottom of the vertical barrier ridges 98. The transverse barrier ridges 99b preferably extend downwardly from a horizontal relatively small angle of between 10&#34; and 15&#34; to facilitate direction and drainage of water through drainage openings 102 defined between the end of the transverse barrier ridge 99b and the adjacent vertical barrier ridge 98c. The drainage openings 101, 102 all are disposed in horizontally offset relation to each other so as to prevent a direct vertical path for the capillary movement of water. 
     From the foregoing, it can be seen that the wall and roof covering of the present invention is adapted to form a secure, substantially water-resistant barrier over the support surface, even during relatively extreme adverse weather conditions. The positive interlocking engagement along the peripheral sides of the panels draw side sealing flanges into tight bearing engagement with the underlying panel, and further tend to prevent disorientation of the panel and interruption of the seals along the top and bottom overlapping marginal edge regions. The synthetic panels further have improved structural rigidity which tend to prevent bending and deformation during handling and upon mounting. The panels, nevertheless, are of relatively simple construction, and lend themselves to economical manufacture and ease of mounting with a realistic and naturally aesthetic appearance.