1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the general art of tools, and to the particular field of specialized installation tools.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Siding panels used on buildings often are long and unwieldy. Siding panels can be very cumbersome to handle and to maneuver into a desired position on the building. In many situations, it requires two or more workers to maneuver a siding panel into a desired position and then to fix that panel to the building.
Still further, it may be difficult for a worker to manipulate tools while supporting a siding panel. Again, the worker generally requires assistance.
In some instances, a worker must support himself on scaffolding or on a ladder while working with siding panels. This can be very difficult, and may even be dangerous in some instances if atmospheric conditions are windy or the like. In such cases, assistance is certainly required.
Such situations can be very wasteful of time and resources.
Therefore, there is a need for a means and a method for supporting a siding panel in a desired position and/or orientation with respect to a support structure.
There is a further need for a means and a method in which an individual worker working by himself or herself can support a siding panel in a desired position and/or orientation with respect to a support structure.
Many tools can be very expensive. Thus, a building job should not require a great number of expensive tools to complete. Thus, adding tools to an already formidable array of tools can be counter-productive if substantial cost is also added. Still further, it is often easier and less costly to have supports that can be reused over and over again, or that will not be overly expensive if lost.
Therefore, there is a need for a means and a method for supporting a siding panel in a desired position and/or orientation with respect to a support structure without the use of expensive tools or equipment.
Still further, the elements used to support siding panels should be easily storable and easily and conveniently carried on the worker so these elements will be readily available when necessary.
Therefore, there is a need for a means and a method for supporting a siding panel in a desired position and/or orientation with respect to a support structure using elements that are readily available when necessary.
Once held in position, it is necessary that the siding panel be securely held in position during the initial steps of fixing the panel to the support surface.
Therefore, there is a need for a means and a method for securely supporting a siding panel in a desired position and/or orientation with respect to a support structure.
It is a main object of the present invention to provide a means and a method for supporting a siding panel in a desired position and/or orientation with respect to a support structure.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a means and a method in which an individual worker can support a siding panel in a desired position and/or orientation with respect to a support structure.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a means and a method for supporting a siding panel in a desired position and/or orientation with respect to a support structure without the use of expensive tools or equipment.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a means and a method for supporting a siding panel in a desired position and/or orientation with respect to a support structure using elements that are readily available when necessary.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a means and a method for securely supporting a siding panel in a desired position and/or orientation with respect to a support structure.
These, and other, objects are achieved by a siding panel hanging guide tool that includes a one-piece body having a J-shape with a siding panel support section on one end thereof and a mounting block on the other end. Fasteners affix the block to the body and fasteners extend through the body and the mounting block to fix the hanging guide to a support surface, such as a wall of a building or the like.
Once the position and orientation of a siding panel is selected, the hanging guide of the present invention is fixed to the support surface and a siding panel is placed on the hanging guide to be supported thereby. The siding panel can then be fixed to the support structure while the panel is supported by the hanging guide. Once the siding panel is sufficiently supported on the support structure, the hanger can be removed from the support structure, and the remaining steps carried out to permanently fix the panel to the support surface. The hanger can then be reused to install the remaining siding panels. A worker can carry several of the hanging guides with him in case he should drop the hanging guide he is currently using.
In this manner, an individual worker can hang siding panels, by simply placing one or more hanging guides as needed to support the siding panels. There is no need for an assistant to hold the siding panel while that panel is being fixed to the support structure. This saves manpower, time and cost.
The hangers can be made of low cost materials, such as metal and plastic so they can be used and discarded without incurring significant costs.