Abstract:
Support devices are provided which are adapted for releasably mounting items on structures, such as structures constructed of brick, stone, concrete or cinder block, or other comparable materials. The devices comprise expander and support portions, the expander portion comprising two inter-fitting wedge members which slidably and adjustably engage with each other for adjustable insertion and fixation within the gaps, such as mortar joints between bricks, stones or blocks. The support portion removably attaches to the expander portion, and supports items with support members in the form of hooks, clips, pegs, and the like.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/476,744, filed Jun. 6, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     This application relates to support devices useful for mounting and displaying items such as decor and other items, for example strands of lighting and wreaths, on buildings and other structures. The devices are specifically adapted for mounting on portions of structures constructed with brick, stone, concrete blocks or cinder blocks, and are suitable for use both indoors and outdoors.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0003]     Support devices are provided which are adapted for releasably mounting items on structures, such as structures constructed of brick, stone, concrete or cinder block, or other comparable materials. The devices comprise expander and support portions, the expander portion comprising two inter-fitting wedge members which slidably and adjustably engage with each other for adjustable insertion and fixation within the gaps, such as mortar joints between bricks, stones or blocks. One of the wedge members comprises a retainer for receiving a support portion. The devices further comprise a support portion which comprises a means for attachment to the expander portion and a support member which is adapted to support supported items. The support member may have any number of configurations suitable for supporting items; preferably, the support member will comprise a hook, clip or peg, for example. The devices can be made of either metal or a rigid but flexible polymeric material. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the assembled support device in a maximally expanded configuration with a clip support member;  
         [0005]      FIG. 2  is a back view of a preferred embodiment of the assembled support device in a maximally expanded configuration;  
         [0006]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the assembled support device in a closed (maximally expanded) configuration;  
         [0007]      FIG. 4  is a back view of a preferred embodiment of the assembled support device in a closed (maximally expanded) configuration;  
         [0008]      FIG. 5   a  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the lower wedge member adapted for slidable insertion into a recess of a complementary wedge member, showing the forwardly facing aperture of the retainer on the forward face of the wedge member, and having a groove for engaging a bump on the complementary wedge member;  
         [0009]      FIG. 5   b  is a back view of a preferred embodiment of the lower wedge member showing the aperture of the retainer, and the flanges located in the passage of the retainer for locking the rearwardly facing projection of the support member;  
         [0010]      FIG. 6  is an end view of a preferred embodiment of the lower wedge member having a ridge which is adapted for slidable insertion into a recess of a complementary wedge member;  
         [0011]      FIG. 7   a  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the upper wedge member which is adapted for slidably receiving a ridge of a complimentary wedge member;  
         [0012]      FIG. 7   b  is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the upper wedge member which is adapted for slidably receiving a ridge of a complimentary wedge member, having teeth which form the edges of the recess;  
         [0013]      FIG. 8  is an end view of a preferred embodiment of the upper wedge member which is adapted for slidably receiving a ridge of a complimentary wedge member, and a bump for engaging a groove in a complimentary wedge member;  
         [0014]      FIG. 9   a  is a blown up perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the lower wedge member having teeth disposed on the support structure contact surface;  
         [0015]      FIG. 9   b  is a blown up perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the upper wedge member having teeth disposed on the support structure contact surface;  
         [0016]      FIG. 10  is a back view of a preferred embodiment of the upper wedge member, having teeth which form the edges of the recess, and a bump for engaging a groove in a complimentary wedge member;  
         [0017]      FIG. 11  is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the assembled support device in a maximally expanded configuration with a clip support member inserted in the retainer;  
         [0018]      FIG. 12  is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the assembled support device in a maximally expanded configuration with a hook support member inserted in the retainer;  
         [0019]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a support member having at its upper end a rearwardly facing projection in parallel orientation to the elongated arm for insertion into the retainer in a wedge member, and having at its lower end a forwardly facing hook; and,  
         [0020]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a support member having at its upper end a rearwardly facing projection in parallel orientation to the elongated arm for insertion into retainer in a wedge member, and having at its lower end a forwardly facing clip;  
         [0021]      FIG. 15  shows a preferred support device of the invention as fully assembled in an expanded configuration installed in a mortar groove of a brick wall with an unloaded hook support member, front view;  
         [0022]      FIG. 16  shows a preferred support device of the invention as fully assembled in an expanded configuration installed in a mortar groove of a brick wall with an unloaded hook support member, side view;  
         [0023]      FIG. 17  shows a preferred support device of the invention as fully assembled in an expanded configuration installed in a mortar groove of a brick wall with an unloaded clip support member, front view;  
         [0024]      FIG. 18  shows a preferred support device of the invention as fully assembled in an expanded configuration installed in a mortar groove of a brick wall with a loaded clip support member, front view, supporting a strand of mini lights;  
         [0025]      FIG. 19  shows a preferred support device of the invention as fully assembled in an expanded configuration installed in a mortar groove of a brick wall with a loaded clip support member, front view, supporting a light tube. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [heading-0026]     Support Device  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , in a preferred embodiment, the support device  1  comprises an expander portion  2  and a support portion  3 . Referring to  FIGS. 2, 3 , and  4 , in the depicted embodiment, the expander portion comprises an upper  4  and a lower  5  wedge member. Use of the terms “upper wedge” and “lower wedge” are for purposes of aiding in understanding the embodiments as described and set forth in herein; the relative positions of the upper and lower wedges may be switched depending on the use of the support device, such that the upper wedge member is positioned on the bottom of the support device and the lower wedge member is positioned on the top of the support device. In alternate embodiments, the wedge members may be oriented such that they are positioned in a vertical orientation. The support device is preferably constructed with a flexible and durable polymeric material such as, for example, polypropylene or polycarbonate, although other materials such as metal or wood may be used. The preferred polymeric material is one that is not brittle and has good weatherability (i.e., is resistant to the effects of moisture, temperature variations, and ultraviolet light).  
         [heading-0028]     Expander Portion; Wedge Members  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIGS. 2-4  and the embodiments depicted therein, the wedge members  4  and  5  interfit to form an expander portion  2  of the support device  1  which, when engaged, can be slidably adjusted relative to each other to adapt various orientations. At the extremes the expander portion  2  may be in either a fully expanded configuration, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , or a fully closed configuration, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In the fully expanded configuration, the expander portion  2  has the highest profile, while in the fully closed configuration, the expander portion  2  has the lowest profile. The wedge members  4  and  5  are complimentary in that they are adapted with recesses, grooves, ridges and bumps, as more fully described herein, to receive one another and maintain adjustable attachment with one another. As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the wedge members  4  and  5  are each in the shape of an inclined plane, and have a base  7  that is defined by a length, a side  8  that is at a right angle to the base and is defined by a height and a thickness, and an incline  9 , the length of which is a function of the dimensions of the base and side, and a tip  6 . In certain embodiments, particularly those intended for use in mortar joints, particularly brick mortar joints, the wedge members  4  and  5  have the following approximate dimensions: length of the base  7  is from about 0.75 inches to about 1.5 inches, more preferably from about 1 inch to about 1.375 inches; height of the side  8  is from about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches; and thickness of the side  8  is from about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches. In a preferred embodiment of the wedge members  4  and  5 , the length of the base  7  is about 1.375 inches, the height of the side  8  is about 0.375 inches, and the thickness of the side  8  is about 0.2 inches. Of course, in other embodiments intended for use with other support structures such as cinder blocks, and other building substrates and structures, wedge members may have other dimensions suited to those uses.  
         [0030]     In one embodiment, the wedge members are engaged by insertion of a ridge on a first wedge member into a recess of a second wedge member. In this embodiment, referring to  FIGS. 5   a,    5   b  and  6 , the lower wedge member  5  has a ridge  10 , which runs the length of the incline  9 . In some embodiments, the ridge may be flared, as depicted in  FIG. 5   a.  Referring to  FIG. 8 , the upper wedge member  4 , which is complimentary to the lower wedge member  5  (not shown), has a recess  11  which runs the length of the incline  9  (not shown), and is adapted to slidably receive the ridge  10  (not shown) of the lower wedge member  5  (not shown). In this embodiment, the recess  11  preferably has an edge  12  with a slight flare  13 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , on each side of the recess  11  for maintaining the alignment of the ridge  10  (not shown) within the recess  11 . In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 7   b,  the recess  11  of the upper wedge member  4  is formed by two parallel series of opposing and alternating teeth  14  positioned along length of the incline  9  (not shown) and adapted for receiving the ridge  10  (not shown) of the lower wedge member  5  (not shown) and interfitting therewith. In one embodiment teeth are useful for forming the recess due to ease of manufacture; however, the recess may be formed in a continuous wall, or may be formed from more or fewer teeth, and the teeth may be in the form of a variety of shapes such as squares, rectangles, triangles, curved ridges, and the like. Optionally, the upper wedge member  4  may have a truncated tip. The tip may be included or excluded as desired to accommodate manufacturing and materials savings requirements.  
         [0031]     The complimentary wedge members are engaged by insertion of the ridge of one wedge member within the recess of its complementary wedge member. The wedges are moved relative to each other to the maximally expanded configuration, as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  11 , and  12 . In some embodiments, particularly for uses in mortar joints such as brick mortar joints, the combined height of the wedge members  4  and  5  in the fully open position is from about 0.5 inches to about 1 inch, and preferably is about 0.675 inches. The wedges are moved relative to each other to the minimally expanded configuration, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In some embodiments, particularly for uses in mortar joints such as brick mortar joints, the combined height of the wedge members  4  and  5  in the fully closed position is from about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches, and preferably is about 0.375 inches. Depending on the joint size, the combined height of the wedge members  4  and  5  may range from 0.25 inches or less 1 inch or more. For uses in mortar joints such as brick mortar joints, the combined height of the wedge members  4  and  5  ranges from about 0.375 inches to about 0.675 inches. Of course, in other embodiments intended for use with other support structures such as cinder blocks, and other building substrates and structures, the combined height of the wedge members  4  and  5  may have other dimensional ranges depending on the joint sizes specific to those uses.  
         [0032]     In some embodiments either or both of the wedges may comprise texture on the base  7 , such as teeth  18 , as depicted in  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b.  As an alternative to teeth, texture on a wedge member base  7  may be in the form of bumps, etching, ridges or other structures which are molded, bonded or otherwise fixed on the base  7  surfaces. This surface texture may be useful to allow for further expansion of the support device  1 , or to enhance or improve gripping of the support device  1 . For uses in mortar joints such as brick mortar joints, such surface texture on one or both of the wedge members  4  and  5  may be used to accommodate mortar joints having groove heights in excess of 0.675 inches. In some embodiments, one or both of the wedge members  4  and  5  may also have texture such as recesses or teeth, or the like, disposed along the contact surfaces between the wedge members to increase friction and improve gripping between the wedges.  
         [0033]     The expander portion  2  preferably comprises an actuation means for displacement of the wedge members  4  and  5 . In some embodiments, such actuation means may be in the form of finger and thumb grips  19 , as shown, for example in  FIGS. 5   a  and  7   a.  Using opposing fingers, the grips may be moved toward each other to slide the wedge members  4  and  5  into the maximally expanded configuration, and the grips may be moved away from each other to slide the wedge members  4  and  5  into the minimally expanded configuration or into some configuration between the maximally and minimally expanded configurations. In a preferred embodiment, the grips are positioned near the ends of the wedge members  4  and  5  and are disposed on the forward faces. Optionally, the tabs may be positioned at some other location of each wedge member. Other means such as gears and teeth may also be used to actuate displacement of the wedge members  4  and  5  relative to each other.  
         [0034]     In a preferred embodiment, the wedge members  4  and  5  comprise a mechanism to prevent disengagement at the extremes of movement between the maximally and minimally expanded configurations. Referring to  FIG. 10 , in one embodiment this mechanism comprises a projection or bump  20  or other protrusion located on the upper wedge member  4 . Then, referring to  FIG. 5   a,  a corresponding groove  21  located on the lower wedge member  5 , wherein the groove  21  is situated along the side of the ridge  10  and opposes the bump  20  when the wedge members are engaged. The bump  20  or protrusion is located on the rear, or trailing, edge of the flare  13  of the upper wedge member  4 ; as shown in  FIG. 10 , the bump is situated on the edge of the recess  11  and positioned on the tooth  14  located just below the grip  19 . As shown in  FIG. 5   a,  the groove  21  runs along the length of the incline  9 , preferably running only a portion of the length of the incline  9 , such that the groove  21  is confined and does not extent to either end of the incline. The lower wedge member  5  may optionally comprise a groove on each side of the ridge  10 , and the upper wedge member  4  may optionally comprise two bumps  20  which align with and engage each of said grooves  21  when the wedge members  4  and  5  are engaged to form the expander portion  2  of the support device  1 . In a preferred embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 5   a,  the groove runs only a portion of the length of the ridge  21 . In a preferred embodiment wherein the wedge members are engaged, the bump  20  glides through the groove  21  and is blocked from further movement at the extremes of the groove  21 , thus preventing the wedges from slidably disengaging.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 5   a,  in a preferred embodiment, the lower wedge member  5  comprises a retainer  22  for receiving and retaining a support portion  3 . In the depicted embodiment, the retainer  22  comprises a semi-elliptical aperture  23  for receiving the support portion  3  (not shown), and a means  24  for reversibly locking and securing the support portion  3  (not shown) to the lower wedge member  5 . In some embodiments the semi-elliptical aperture  23  has dimensions that are adapted to receive a rearwardly facing projection  26  (not shown) on the support portion  3  (not shown). Referring to  FIG. 5   b,  the retainer  22  comprises a circular aperture  25  disposed on the rearward face  18  of the lower wedge member  5 . Disposed within the circular aperture  25  are mechanical stops  24 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5   b,  the mechanical stops  24  are arranged in a parallel orientation that is parallel to the base  7 , and project into the space between the semi-elliptical aperture  23  and the circular aperture  25 . The mechanical stops  24  serve to lock the rearwardly facing projection  26  (not shown) of the support portion  3  (not shown), as described below. Depending on the intended orientation of the support device  1  on a support structure, the semi-elliptical aperture  25  may be oriented in either a perpendicular or a parallel orientation relative to the base  7  of the lower wedge member  5 .  
         [0036]     In some embodiments the wedge members may optionally comprise partial cut outs  27  on their forward  16  and rearward  17  faces, as shown in  FIGS. 5   b  and  7   b,  as may be desirable to reduce material costs.  
         [heading-0037]     Support Portions  
         [0038]     Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , support portion  3  comprises a support member  28 , and a rearward facing projection  26  having locking tabs  30  for engagement with mechanical stops  24  of the lower wedge member  5 . In some embodiments support members  28  comprise a single elongated arm  29  have an upper end and a lower end. As depicted in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , elongated arm  29  comprises at its upper end a rearwardly facing projection  26  which is adapted for removable insertion into a retainer  22  situated on the lower wedge member  5  of the expander portion  2  of the support device  1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the rearwardly facing projection  26  is preferably elliptical in shape, and is oriented with its long axis either perpendicular or parallel to the axis of the elongated arm  29 . For engagement with the expander portion  2  of the support device  1 , the rearwardly facing projection  26  is aligned in parallel with the semi-elliptical aperture  23  of the retainer  22 , and inserted until it passes through the mechanical stops  24 . In some embodiments, the rearwardly facing projection  26 , when inserted through the semi-elliptical aperture  23 , will at least partially enter the circular aperture  25 . The support portion  3  is then rotated so that the rearwardly facing projection  26  is perpendicular to the semi-elliptical aperture  23 , and the locking tabs  30  are engaged by the mechanical stops  24  and cannot pass back through the semi-elliptical aperture  23 . In this position, the support portion  3  is “locked.” 
         [0039]     The lower end of the support portion  3  comprises a load bearing structure, or support member  28 , such as a hook, as shown in  FIG. 13 , or a clip, as shown in  FIG. 14 . The load bearing structure may be an integral part of the support portion  1  (i.e., it may be formed from a single piece of material). Optionally, the load bearing structure may be formed from a separate piece of material and may be attached to the elongated arm  29  by a screw or other attachment means that would permit the load bearing structure to be either stationary, or swivel or adjustably rotate relative to the elongated arm. Support portions  3  may be constructed with support members  28  in any number of forms or shapes that are useful for mounting items, such as hooks, clips, and pegs or other retaining or grasping implements. For example, support members  28  comprising hooks or pegs may be used to support decorative light strings, ropes, or other elongated items of lighting devices, electrical cords, and objects such as wreaths, pictures, mirrors, plaques, letters, candelabra, sconces, and the like. Support members  28  comprising clips, such as a spring clip, resilient retainer clip or the like may be used to grasp support items, particularly to support individual bulbs in lighting devices, and other objects. A differently configured hook or another load-supporting structure can be similarly secured to and supported by affixing it to the support member  28 .  
         [heading-0040]     Support Surfaces; Installation and Use  
         [0041]     The support device  1  is adapted for insertion and expansion inside a groove, such as is typically present in the forwardly facing recesses in the mortar spaces or joints found in brick, stone, concrete block and cinder block structures. Of course, the support device may be used in other applications where a gap exists between to structures or components. The support devices are installed as depicted in  FIGS. 15-19 . In these embodiments, the support devices are installed in the mortar joints between bricks. For such applications, grooves must comprise heights (distance between two edges of groove, e.g., distance between two bricks defining groove) and depths (distance from the forward surface of the support surface, e.g., front of bricks, to the forward surface of the joint material) sufficient to accept the support devices. The support surface may be, for example, an interior or exterior wall of a residence or other building, or part of another structure such as, for example, a fireplace, hearth, retaining wall, fence or mailbox. While use with brick, stone and similar walls is preferred, the support device is similarly useful for supporting an object or article from any surface having a space into which the device can be securely installed, as described below.  
         [0042]     The support device may be installed in either a horizontally- or a vertically-oriented groove, such as a mortar space, or at some oblique angle, as in a space between adjacent, irregularly shaped rocks or the like. The expander portion  2  of the support device  1  is first placed in the groove in the minimally expanded configuration, with the bases  7  of the wedges parallel to the edges of the groove. If the support device  1  is installed in a horizontal groove, the wedge member comprising the retainer is preferably located on the bottom of the groove. The wedges are then displaced using the engagement means to expand the device up to its maximally expanded configuration, until it is firmly locked into the groove. Optionally, if the device does not lodge in the groove in the maximally expanded configuration, it may be removed and the teeth or overmolded cushions may be applied to the base of one or both wedges. The device may then be reinstalled as described above. No further adjustment is required to lock the device into place. The support portion is then inserted into the retainer as described above, and is ready to accept support items. The devices are removed by first removing the support item, then removal of the support portion, then removal of the support device which is achieved by displacement of the wedges toward the fully-open (maximally expanded) position.  
         [0043]     Other alterations and modifications of the invention will likewise become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the present disclosure, and it is intended that the scope of the invention disclosed herein be limited only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims to which the inventors are legally entitled.