Suction-attached support device and method
OwnerKeith R. Antillinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A body has a support surface for temporarily supporting a siding, trim, or other construction piece that is to be installed on a building wall. A suction cup is controllable to temporarily adhere by suction the support device to the building wall. An extendible spacer is used to accurately position the support device on the building wall. Notches in the body receive the ends of a tape measure or chalk line for accurately sizing and positioning the construction pieces. The support device can be used with existing compressors, vacuum pumps, or other suction-inducing devices. A venturi tube in the body generates the suction when an air compressor is used. A method of installing the siding, trim, or other construction pieces is also provided.
Claims20
A device for use with at least one suction-inducing device to install a construction piece on a structure, comprising:
- a body having at least one support surface adapted for supporting the construction piece;
- a suction cup attached to the body and adapted for attaching the support device to the structure temporarily when suction is generated in the suction cup;
- and
- a fluid line connector in fluid communication with the suction cup and adapted for fluid connection with the suction-inducing device for generating suction in the suction cup.
The support device of claim 6, wherein the notch is positioned a predetermined distance from an edge of the body.
A device for use with an air compressor to temporarily support a piece of siding or trim during installation on a building, comprising:
- a body having at least one support surface adapted for supporting the siding or trim piece, one or more notches defined therein for receiving an end of a tape measure or a chalk line, and a channel defined therein;
- an elongate spacer member that is received in the channel and that is selectively extendible from and retractable into the channel;
- at least one suction cup attached to the body and adapted for attaching the support device to the building temporarily when suction is generated in the suction cup;
- and
- an air line connector, a venturi tube, an inlet air line connected between the air line connector and the venturi tube for introducing air into the venturi tube, an outlet air line connected to the venturi tube for exhausting the air from the venturi tube, and a suction air line connected between the venturi tube and the suction cup for generating suction in the suction cup when the air passes through the venturi tube.
A method of installing siding or trim pieces on a building wall, comprising:
- providing at least one suction-attached support device;
- positioning the support device in a selected position on the building wall;
- controlling the support device so that it is adhered by suction in the selected position on the building wall;
- positioning the siding or trim pieces on the support device in a supported position;
- attaching the siding or trim pieces to the building wall;
- controlling the support device so that it is no longer adhered by suction in the selected position on the building wall;
- and
- removing the support device from the selected position on the building wall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.