METHOD OF RETAINING NAIL STRIP DURING A SIDING MOLD PROCESS
An apparatus configured to form masonry siding products is provided. The apparatus includes a mold having a mold cavity and a plurality of retention assemblies positioned within the mold. The plurality of retention assemblies are configured to form a temporary retaining force between the retention assemblies and a nail strip as castable material enters the mold cavity.
1 . An apparatus configured to form masonry siding products, the apparatus comprising:
a mold having a mold cavity; and
a plurality of retention assemblies positioned within the mold, the plurality of retention assemblies configured to form a temporary retaining force between the retention assemblies and a nail strip as castable material enters the mold cavity.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the mold includes mold walls and wherein the retention assemblies are positioned within the mold walls.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the retention assemblies include magnets, and wherein the temporary retaining force is a magnetic force.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the nail strip includes an extension portion and a cast portion, and wherein the temporary retaining force is formed between the extension portion and the retention assemblies.
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the cast portion secures the nail strip to the masonry siding product.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the retention assemblies are further configured to release the nail strip after the castable material has cured and the formed masonry siding product is removed from the mold.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the retention assembly further includes at least one anchor configured to provide a resistive pullout force to the retention assembly.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the mold includes retention nubs configured to prevent movement of the nail strip during the molding process.
9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the nail strip includes retention apertures configured to cooperate with the retention nubs.
10 . The apparatus of claim 7 , where the anchor is positioned below a surface of the mold a distance of at least 1.0 inch.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the retention assemblies includes a magnet having a beveled annular aperture.
12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the retention assemblies include a magnet that extends substantially across a length of the mold.
13 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the at least one anchor has a circular cross-sectional shape.
14 . A method of forming masonry siding products, the method comprising the steps of:
positioning a nail strip such as to form a temporary retaining force between a plurality of retention assemblies formed within a mold and the nail strip;
introducing castable material into the mold and around a portion of the nail strip as the nail strip is restrained by the temporary retaining force;
removing the masonry siding product after the castable material has cured by overcoming the temporary retaining force between the plurality of retention assemblies and the nail strip.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein:
the retention assemblies include magnets; and
the temporary retaining force is a magnetic force.
16 . The method of claim 14 , including the step of securing the nail strip to the masonry siding product by positioning a portion of the nail strip within the castable material.
17 . The method of claim 14 , including the step of positioning a portion of the retention assembly to provide a resistive pullout force.
18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the mold includes retention nubs configured to prevent movement of the nail strip during the molding process.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the nail strip includes retention apertures configured to cooperate with the retention nubs.