Spacing and holding device for horizontal siding

Abstract

A tool to facilitate the installation of horizontal siding boards comprising an upstanding shorter member provided with a flange projecting inwardly at its lower end and an upstanding longer member provided with an outwardly right-angled projection at its upper end, the two members being constrained to slide relative to each other longitudinally and held together by a nut-and-bolt type fastener passing through a hole in the shorter member and a slot in the longer member. The bolt is bored on its longitudinal axis to slidably accept a pin whose diameter is substantially the same as that of the nails used in the installation of siding boards. A bush of resilient material and inside diameter slightly less than the pin diameter is secured relative to the bolt on a longitudinal axis common to both. The pin is longer than the fastener in which it is retained by the compression effect of the resilient bush. In use, the two members are adjusted to give the required spacing and locked by tightening the nut. The lower flange is pressed upwardly against the lower edge of the last installed board and the pin is driven inwardly to secure the tool to the building. The next board may now be rested with its lower edge on the upper flange and nailed in place. The tool is removed by exerting a force outwardly from the building and the hole left by the pin is filled by a siding nail.