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US 4,391,428 AGranted
Lance-type fixture support and method of use
AssigneeLance Austin Enterprises, Inc.
InventorFred K. Grimes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A support for a ceiling fan or other fixture has a pair of slidably interconnected, pointed lances adapted to be driven into engagement with spaced structural members. A tool-strikable striking element is adapted to be coupled to each lance at a selected location along the length thereof. The support is adapted to be installed through a small hole in a preexisting ceiling or wall.
Claims17
A support for mounting a fixture between a pair of spaced structural members comprising:
- a pair of elongated lances slidably interconnected for relative longitudinal sliding movement, each of said lances being shorter than the distance between said structural members and together forming an adjustable length support adapted to span the space between said structural members;
- member engaging means at the distal end of each of said lances for engaging said structural members and supporting said lances thereon when said lances are independently driven longitudinally in opposite directions against said structural members;
- at least one tool-strikable striking element adapted to receive a longitudinally directed blow from a striking tool;
- and
- striking element coupling means on each of said lances for coupling said striking element to each lance at a fixed location intermediate the ends thereof to enable said lances to be independently driven in opposite directions when said striking element is coupled to each of said lances independently of the other and is struck with said tool, whereby said member engaging means are independently driven into engagement with said structural members.
2 more elements
A support for mounting a fixture between a pair of spaced structural members comprising:
- a pair of elongated lances slidably interconnected for relative longitudinal sliding movement, each of said lances being shorter than the distance between said structural members and together forming an adjustable length support adapted to span the space between said members;
- member engaging means at the distal end of each of said lances for engaging said structural members and supporting said lances thereon when said lances are driven longitudinally in opposite directions against said structural members;
- a central elongated slot on each of said lances adapted to receive a tool-strikable striking element;
- and
- a plurality of longitudinally spaced coupling elements on each of said lances adjacent said slot for coupling said striking element to each lance at a selected fixed location intermediate the ends thereof, whereby said member engaging means are driven into engagement with said structural members when said striking element is coupled to each of said lances and is struck with a tool.
2 more elements
A support for mounting a fixture between a pair of spaced structural members comprising:
- a pair of elongated lances slidably interconnected for relative longitudinal sliding movement, each of said lances being shorter than the distance between said structural members and together forming an adjustable length support adapted to span the space between said structural members;
- member engaging means at the distal end of each of said lances for engaging said structural members and supporting said lances thereon when said lances are independently driven longitudinally in opposite directions against said structural members;
- and
- striking means associated with said lances intermediate the end of each lance and inwardly of side distal ends and noncontiguous with said member engaging means adapted to receive a longitudinally direct blow from a striking tool and drive each of said member engaging means independently of the other into engagement with said structural members.
1 more element
A support for mounting a fixture between a pair of spaced structural members comprising:
- a pair of elongated lances slidably interconnected for relative longitudinal sliding movement, each of said lances being shorter than the distance between said members and together forming an adjustable length support adapted to span the space between said structural members;
- member engaging means at the distal end of each of said lances for engaging said structural members and supporting said lances thereon when said lances are driven longitudinally in opposite directions against said structural members;
- and
- adjustable striking means associated with said lances intermediate the ends thereof adapted to receive a longitudinally directed blow from a striking tool and drive said member engaging means into engagement with said structural members, said striking means comprising a tool-strikable striking element and a plurality of longitudinally spaced coupling elements on each of said lances, each of said coupling elements adapted to engage said striking element.
1 more element
A support for mounting a fixture between a pair of spaced structural members comprising:
- a pair of elongated lances slidably interconnected for relative longitudinal sliding movement, each of said lances being shorter than the distance between said structural members and together forming an adjustable length support adapted to span the space between said members;
- at least one pointed penetrating member at the distal end of each of said lances for penetrating and engaging said structural members and supporting said lances thereon when said lances are driven longitudinally in opposite directions against said structural members;
- an aperture in each of said lances;
- and
- a striking element adapted to be received in either of said apertures, abut a transverse edge of the aperture, receive a longitudinally directed blow from a striking tool, and drive the penetrating members into engagement with said structural members, said striking element having a tool-strikable surface, and an outwardly directed projection which engages the lance adjacent the aperture to aid in retaining said striking element in engagement with said aperture.
2 more elements
In combination with a pair of spaced structural members and a wall member which is supported on and conceals said structural members, a fixture support adapted to be installed between said structural members through a small hole in said wall member which is located between said structural members, the support comprising:
- a pair of elongated lances slidably interconnected for relative longitudinal sliding movement, each of said lances being shorter than the distance between said structural members and together forming an adjustable length support adapted to pass through the hole in the wall member and span the space between said structural members;
- member engaging means at the distal end of each of said lances for engaging said structural members and supporting said lances thereon when said lances are independently driven longitudinally in opposite directions against said structural members;
- and
- striking means associated with said lances intermediate the ends thereof and adjacent the hole in the wall member adapted to receive a longitudinally directed blow through the hole in the wall from a striking tool and drive each of said member engaging means independently of the other into engagement with said structural members.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.