Patent ID: 7134253

Claim:
A siding installation apparatus for engaging a first siding piece and supporting a second siding piece, the first siding piece having a bottom portion and a back surface, the apparatus comprising: a support member having a longitudinal axis and a support surface to support the second siding piece; an engagement member projecting from the support member and configured to engage the bottom portion of the first siding piece by contacting at least the back surface of the first siding piece; a securing assembly coupled to the support member to releasably restrict the support member from moving relative to the first siding piece, the securing assembly being operable to apply a force to the first siding piece engaged by the engagement member in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the support member; wherein the securing assembly comprises a cam pivotably coupled to the support member and a contact element at least proximate to the cam; and wherein the cam is selectively pivotable in a first direction to force the contact element against a front surface of the first siding piece to restrict movement of the support member relative to the first siding piece.