Building-siding hanger and support device

Abstract

Apparatus for supporting an object for attachment to a substantially vertical surface. The apparatus comprises at least two elongate columns having a plurality of apertures. The columns are securable in parallel, spaced apart relation to the surface. Support members are insertable through the apertures of each of the columns, the support members being operable to receive and support the object for attachment to the surface between the columns and the surface. The apparatus finds particular application in supporting siding for installation on a building. The apparatus allows for a single worker to perform the installation and is capable of reliably handling newer, heavier fiber-cement composite material siding. The apparatus also finds application in the installation of drywall panels. The apparatus can also be used as a modular shelving system.

1 . Apparatus for supporting an object for attachment to a substantially vertical surface, the apparatus comprising: 
 at least two elongate columns having a plurality of apertures, said columns being securable in parallel spaced apart relation to the surface; and    support members passable through said apertures of each of said columns, said support members being operable to receive and support said object for attachment to the surface between said columns and the surface.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a fastener, wherein said elongate columns further include a fastener apertures located at a top distal end through which said fastener may be passed to secure said column in parallel spaced apart relation to the surface.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said fastener comprises a spike.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said column has a c-shaped cross section.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said c-shaped cross section defines a substantially rectangular region wherein said column has two opposed walls.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said two opposed walls are parallel.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said c-shaped cross section defines a substantially square region.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein each of said two opposed walls includes corresponding apertures adapted to receive a common support member therethrough.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein two opposed walls are joined by a connecting wall.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said connecting wall includes apertures in planar alignment with the apertures of said opposed walls.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said plurality of apertures are substantially rectangular.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said plurality of apertures are substantially square.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said apertures are regularly spaced along the length of said column.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including a plate releasably securable to at least one end of said column to support said column.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said support members comprise elongate bars having cross-sections corresponding to said apertures of said column.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of nested columns securable to each other in a plurality of lengths.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein apertures of an inner nested column are alignable with apertures of an outer nested column such that said nested columns may be secured to each other by passing a pin through said aligned apertures.  
   
   
       18 . Apparatus for supporting siding for attachment to a substantially vertical surface, the apparatus comprising an elongate column being securable in parallel spaced apart relation to the surface, the column having a plurality of apertures for receiving a support member for supporting the siding.  
   
   
       19 . Apparatus for supporting objects, the apparatus comprising an elongate column, the column having two opposed walls, each of said two opposed walls having a plurality of corresponding apertures for receiving a support member therethrough.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  further including a fastener aperture located at a top distal end through which a fastener may be passed to secure said column in parallel spaced apart relation to a surface.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said column has a c-shaped cross section.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein said c-shaped cross section defines a substantially rectangular region wherein said column has two opposed walls.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein said two opposed walls are parallel.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein said c-shaped cross section defines a substantially square region.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein two opposed walls are joined by a connecting wall.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein said connecting wall includes apertures in planar alignment with the apertures of said opposed walls.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein said plurality of apertures are substantially rectangular.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 27  wherein said plurality of apertures are substantially square.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein said apertures are regularly spaced along the length of said column.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 19  including a plate releasably securable to at least one end of said column to support said column.  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 19  further comprising a plurality of nested columns securable to each other in a plurality of lengths.  
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 31  wherein apertures of an inner nested column are alignable with apertures of an outer nested column such that said nested columns may be secured to each other by passing a pin through said aligned apertures.  
   
   
       33 . Apparatus for supporting siding for attachment to a substantially vertical surface, the apparatus comprising: 
 at least two elongate columns, each column having two opposed walls, each of said two opposed walls having a plurality of corresponding apertures therethrough; and    at least two support members receivable in said apertures.    
   
   
       34 . A modular shelving system comprising: 
 at least two elongates columns, each column having two opposed walls, each of said two opposed walls having a plurality of corresponding apertures;    an elongate bar extending between said at least two columns receivable in said apertures; and    at least one support plate pivotally fixed on said elongate bar.    
   
   
       35 . The modular shelving system of  claim 34  further comprising a cantilever bracket for supporting a shelf.  
   
   
       36 . The modular shelving system of  claim 35  wherein said cantilever bracket comprises a first portion having distal and proximate ends, said first portion being perpendicular to said column and a second portion angularly extending from said distal end of said first portion to said column.  
   
   
       37 . The modular shelving system of  claim 36  wherein said first portion includes an upturned portion at said proximate end operable to retain said first portion in engagement in one of said apertures of said column.  
   
   
       38 . The modular shelving system of  claim 37  wherein said second portion includes an upturned portion to operable to retain said second portion in engagement in one of said apertures of said column.  
   
   
       39 . The modular shelving system of  claim 34  further comprising bottom plates securable to a bottom end of said column.  
   
   
       40 . The modular shelving system of  claim 39  wherein said bottom plates include holes through which fasteners may be passed for securing said bottom plates to a floor surface.  
   
   
       41 . The modular shelving system of  claim 39  wherein said bottom plates are fixedly connectable to said columns.  
   
   
       42 . The modular shelving system of  claim 39  wherein said bottom plates are pivotally connectable to said columns.  
   
   
       43 . The modular shelving system of  claim 34  further comprising top plates securable to a top end of said column.  
   
   
       44 . The modular shelving system of  claim 43  wherein said top plates include holes through which fasteners may be passed for securing said top plates to a ceiling surface.  
   
   
       45 . The modular shelving system of  claim 43  wherein said top plates are fixedly connectable to said columns.  
   
   
       46 . The modular shelving system of  claim 39  wherein said top plates are pivotally connectable to said columns.  
   
   
       47 . A method of attaching siding to a substantially vertical surface, the method comprising: 
 securing at least two elongate supports in parallel spaced apart relation to the surface, said elongate supports having a plurality of apertures;    passing a support pin through an apertures of each of said elongate supports; and    locating a siding element for attachment to the surface on said support pins between said elongate supports and the surface.    
   
   
       48 . A method of attaching a sheet of material to a substantially vertical surface, the method comprising: 
 securing at least one elongate support adjacent to the substantially vertical surface, the elongate support having a base to permit pivoting of the elongate support between a generally horizontal position and a generally vertical position, said elongate support defining a support surface for the sheet of material;    loading the sheet of material onto the support surface when in the generally horizontal position;    pivoting the elongate support to the generally vertical position to position the sheet of material adjacent the substantially vertical surface; and    attaching the sheet of material to the substantially vertical surface.