Adjustable supports for mounting a planar object between opposed surfaces

• US 7,658,353 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2007
• Issued: 02/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Larry Ford
• Original Assignee: Larry Ford
• Inventors: Ford, Larry
• Primary Examiner(s): Shriver; J. Allen
• Assistant Examiner(s): EPPS, TODD MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US11/748,945
• Publication Number:
  US 20070241245A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 248/200.1, 248/228.3, 248/228.1, 248/228.2, 248/228.5, 248/231.41, 248/276.1, 248/292.12, 248/292.11, 248/229.12, 248/201, 267/137, 267/195, 182/36, 245/80, 269/137, 269/195
• US Class Current: 248/201
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/005 Storm panels; hurricane shutters
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/02 Shutters, movable grilles, or other safety closing devices, e.g. against burglary louvre windows or grilles E06B7/08; lamellar blinds E06B9/26

Abstract

The present invention is an adjustable support for installing a planar sheet of material between opposed surfaces for protection from events such as storms. The supports secure the planar sheet to an opening such as a door and window, thereby holding it in place during storms, etc. The supports are easily removed and include a substantially L-shaped base and a clamp. The clamp is removably and adjustably attached to the first side of the L-shaped base, thereby forming an aperture between the second side of the L-shaped base and the bottom surface of the clamp. The aperture is adaptable to accept various thicknesses of substantially planar objects. A device is provided for engaging the adjustable support with a support structure, passing through the clamp and passing through a hole in the first side of the L-shaped base and interfacing with support surfaces to hold the substantially planar object between the first support surface and a substantially opposed second support surface.

Claims

1. An adjustable support for mounting a substantially planar object between a first support surface and an opposed second support surface, the adjustable support comprising:

a substantially L-shaped base having a first side and a second side;

a clamp having a side surface and a bottom surface, the clamp being removably and adjustably attached to the first side of the L-shaped base, thereby forming an aperture between the second side of the L-shaped base and the bottom surface of the clamp, the aperture adjustable in width corresponding to a width of the substantially planar object; and

a means for engaging the adjustable support passing through the clamp and passing through a hole in the first side of the L-shaped base, the means for engaging entering a hole in the first support surface when the means for engaging is in an extended position, thereby holding the substantially planar object between the first support surface and the opposed second support surface.

2. The adjustable support of claim 1, wherein the clamp is removably attached to the L-shaped base by a plurality of screws passing through an equal number of elongated holes in the side surface of the clamp and into threaded bosses in the first side of the L-shaped base.

3. The adjustable support of claim 1, further comprising a first set of serrated edges on an inside surface of the first side of the L-shaped base where the L-shaped base interfaces with the clamp and a second set of serrated edges on the side surface of the clamp where the clamp interfaces with the L-shaped base, the first set of serrated edges angled towards the aperture and the second set of serrated edges angled away from the aperture.

4. The adjustable support of claim 1, wherein the first support surface and the opposed second support surface have a plurality of holes and the means for engaging removably interfaces with one of the holes.

5. The adjustable support of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve positioned within one of the plurality of holes and the means for engaging removably interfacing with one of the sleeves.

6. The adjustable support of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of caps for removably covering the sleeves when the adjustable support is absent.

7. The adjustable support of claim 1, further comprising a security screw passing through the clamp and through a hole in the substantially planar object and through the L-shaped bracket and held in place by a nut.

8. An adjustable support for mounting a substantially planar object between substantially opposed support surfaces, the adjustable support comprising:

a substantially L-shaped base having a first side and a second side;

a clamp having a side surface and a bottom surface, the clamp being removably and adjustably attached to the first side of the L-shaped base forming an aperture between the second side of the L-shaped base and the bottom surface of the clamp, the aperture adjustable in width corresponding to a width of the substantially planar object; and

a means for securing the adjustable support to the substantially opposed support surfaces, the means for securing passing through the clamp and passing through an elongated hole in the first side of the L-shaped base and into a hole in a first support surface thereby holding the substantially planar object between the first support surface and a second support surface when the means for securing is extended.

9. The adjustable support of claim 8, wherein the means for securing is a locking pin, the locking pin bent to form a handle portion and a locking pin portion, the locking pin portion removably engages with a hole in the first support surfaces.

10. The adjustable support of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of sleeves, each of the sleeves inserted into one of the holes in the support surfaces.

11. The adjustable support of claim 10, wherein the sleeves further comprise a removable cap for covering the holes when the adjustable clip is absent.

12. The adjustable support of claim 8, further comprising a first set of serrated edges on the first side of the L-shaped base where the L-shaped base interfaces with the clamp and a second set of serrated edge on the side surface of the clamp where the clamp interfaces with the L-shaped base, the first set of serrated edges angled towards the aperture and the second set of serrated edges angled away from the aperture.