Importance

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Abstract

Various forms of interlocking weatherproof roofing and siding panels are disclosed. The panels each comprise a background sheet of relatively thin material, in which are integrally formed one or more raised decorative elements such as simulated tile or shake elements. At the front or lower edge of each panel at least some of the decorative elements have a sunken or indented area integrally formed in the face thereof, with the rear or upper portion of each decorative element having a cooperatively disposed integrally formed protruding element. During installation, after a starter course is installed each panel of each successive course is retained in position at the front thereof by the interlocking of the protruding regions on at least some of the decorative elements thereon with the sunken region of the next lower course, and at the rear thereof by nails or staples passed through a nailing flange provided for that purpose, the fasteners being covered by the lower portion of the next higher course to provide an interlocking weatherproof system with hidden fasteners. The sunken regions and the protruding regions on the decorative elements are specifically limited in lateral extent to significantly less than the width of the front and back of the decorative elements to avoid any intersections between the edges of the decorative elements and the interlockers. Also, preferably the sunken regions and the protruding regions are gradual in lateral extent. These, plus other features of the panels, facilitate the manufacture thereof by injection molding or relatively low cost vacuum forming techniques by distributing material stretch during forming and avoiding excessive concentrated stretch in local areas. Various embodiments are disclosed.

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First Claim