Telescopic Plank and Bracing System for Masonry Openings

A telescopic plank and bracing system for supporting masonry units, the telescopic plank and bracing system comprising:

• a telescoping metal bridge;
• a horizontal telescoping plank;
• a first telescoping vertical brace;
• and
• a second telescoping vertical brace;
• wherein said horizontal telescoping plank having a first end and an opposing second end;
• wherein said first end having a first clip for resting on a jamb of a masonry opening;
• wherein said second end having a second clip for resting on the jamb of the masonry opening;
• wherein said first telescoping brace and said second telescoping brace supports a laterally positioned said horizontal telescoping plank;
• wherein said first telescoping vertical brace having a first lower vertical brace member having a first plurality of lower positioning holes and a first upper vertical brace member having a first plurality of upper positioning holes;
• wherein at least one pair said first plurality of lower positioning holes and at least one pair of said first plurality of upper positioning holes alignable for receiving a pin and adjusting a length of said first telescoping vertical brace;
• wherein said second telescoping vertical brace having a second lower vertical brace member having a second plurality of lower positioning holes and a second upper vertical brace member having a second plurality of upper positioning holes;
• wherein at least one pair of said second plurality of lower positioning holes and at least one pair of said second plurality of upper positioning holes alignable for receiving a pin and adjusting a length of said second telescoping vertical brace;
• wherein said first upper vertical brace member having a first screw sleeve with a top end and a bottom end secured to a top end of said first upper vertical brace member;
• wherein said top end of said first screw sleeve having a first brace plate securable to said horizontal telescoping plank;
• wherein said second upper vertical brace member having a second screw sleeve with a top end and a bottom end secured to a top end of said second upper vertical brace member;
• wherein said top end of said second screw sleeve having a second brace plate securable to said horizontal telescoping plank;
• and
• further wherein said horizontal telescoping plank independently extendable in a horizontal direction after said first telescoping vertical brace and said second telescoping vertical brace fixedly positioned under said horizontal telescoping plank.

A method of supporting a masonry unit lintel, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a telescoping metal bridge, a horizontal telescoping plank, a first telescoping vertical brace, a second telescoping vertical brace, wherein said horizontal telescoping plank having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein said first end having a first clip for resting on a jamb of a masonry opening, wherein said second end having a second clip for resting on the jamb of the masonry opening;
• laterally supporting said horizontal telescoping plank with said first telescoping brace and said second telescoping brace, wherein said first telescoping vertical brace having a first lower vertical brace member having a first plurality of lower positioning holes and a first upper vertical brace member having a first plurality of upper positioning holes, wherein at least one pair of said first plurality of lower positioning holes and at least one pair of said first plurality of upper positioning holes alignable for receiving a pin and adjusting a length of said first telescoping vertical brace, wherein said second telescoping vertical brace having a second lower vertical brace member having a second plurality of lower positioning holes and a second upper vertical brace member having a second plurality of upper positioning holes, wherein at least one pair of said second plurality of lower positioning holes and at least one pair of said second plurality of upper positioning holes alignable for receiving a pin and adjusting a length of said second telescoping vertical brace;
• threadingly adjusting a height of said first upper vertical brace member within said first lower vertical brace member;
• threadingly adjusting a height of said second upper vertical brace member within said second lower vertical brace member;
• and
• independently adjusting a horizontal length of said horizontal telescoping plank across a lintel and a vertical height of said first telescoping vertical brace and a vertical height of said second telescoping vertical brace.