U.S. patent application number 10/068189 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-31 for shim made from a plastic material and an associated method of adjusting the spatial relationship between a first surface and a second surface.
Invention is credited to Holder, Bruce.
Application Number | 20020157328 10/068189 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26748680 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020157328 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Holder, Bruce |
October 31, 2002 |
Shim made from a plastic material and an associated method of
adjusting the spatial relationship between a first surface and a
second surface
Abstract
A shim is disclosed. The shim includes a body member having (i)
a top wall segment having a first end and a second end, (ii) a
first end wall segment attached to and extending from the first end
of the top wall segment, (iii) a second end wall segment attached
to and extending from the second end of the top wall segment, and
(iv) a bottom wall segment having a third end and a fourth end, the
third end of the bottom wall segment being attached to the first
end wall segment, and the fourth end of the bottom wall segment
being attached to the second end wall segment The top wall segment,
the first end wall segment, the second end wall segment and the
bottom wall segment are all made from a plastic material.
Inventors: |
Holder, Bruce; (Roachdale,
IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BARNES & THORNBURG
11 SOUTH MERIDIAN
INDIANAPOLIS
IN
46204
|
Family ID: |
26748680 |
Appl. No.: |
10/068189 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60266714 |
Feb 6, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/126.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 43/00 20130101;
E06B 1/6069 20130101; E04F 21/0015 20130101; E04F 13/0853 20130101;
F16M 7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/126.1 |
International
Class: |
E04G 001/22; E04B
002/82; E04B 009/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A shim, comprising: a body member which includes (i) a top wall
segment having a first end and a second end, (ii) a first end wall
segment attached to and extending from said first end of said top
wall segment, (iii) a second end wall segment attached to and
extending from said second end of said top wall segment, and (iv) a
bottom wall segment having a third end and a fourth end, said third
end of said bottom wall segment being attached to said first end
wall segment, and said fourth end of said bottom wall segment being
attached to said second end wall segment, wherein said top wall
segment, said first end wall segment, said second end wall segment
and said bottom wall segment are all made from a plastic
material.
2. The shim of claim 1, wherein: said body member further includes
(i) a first side wall segment interposed between and attached to
said top wall segment and said bottom wall segment, and (ii) a
second side wall segment interposed between and attached to said
top wall segment and said bottom wall segment, wherein said first
side wall segment and said second side wall segment are made from a
plastic material.
3. The shim of claim 2, wherein: said body member is a solid piece
of plastic material.
4. The shim of claim 1, wherein: said first end wall segment has a
height H.sub.1, said second end wall segment has a height H.sub.2,
said H.sub.1 is greater than said H.sub.2 such that an angle
.alpha. is defined between said top wall segment and said bottom
wall segment.
5. The shim of claim 4, wherein: said angle .alpha. is less than
10.degree..
6. The shim of claim 4, wherein: said angle .alpha. is about
2.degree..
7. The shim of claim 1, wherein: said top wall segment has a width
W.sub.1 which is about 1.5 inches, and a length L.sub.1 of about 14
inches.
8. The shim of claim 4, wherein: said height H.sub.1 of said first
end wall segment is about 3/8 of an inch, and said height H.sub.2
of said second end wall segment is about {fraction (1/32)} of an
inch.
9. A method of adjusting the spatial relationship between a first
surface and a second surface, comprising: (a) inserting a shim
having a body member which is made out of a plastic material into a
space defined between said first surface and said second surface
such that said body member is in contact with said first surface
and said second surface; and (b) advancing said body member into
said space so that said first surface is moved relative to said
second surface.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein: (b) includes striking said shim
with a hammer.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein: said first surface is disposed
on a frame of a door.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein: said first surface is disposed
on a frame of a window.
13. A shim, comprising: a body member made out of a plastic
material.
14. The shim of claim 13, wherein: said body member is defined by
(i) a top wall segment having a first end and a second end, (ii) a
first end wall segment attached to and extending from said first
end of said top wall segment, (iii) a second end wall segment
attached to and extending from said second end of said top wall
segment, (iv) a bottom wall segment having a third end and a fourth
end, said third end of said bottom wall segment being attached to
said first end wall segment, and said fourth end of said bottom
wall segment being attached to said second end wall segment, (v) a
first side wall segment interposed between and attached to said top
wall segment and said bottom wall segment, and (vi) a second side
wall segment interposed between and attached to said top wall
segment and said bottom wall segment.
15. The shim of claim 14, wherein: said body member is a solid
piece of plastic material.
16. The shim of claim 15, wherein: said first end wall segment has
a height H.sub.1, said second end wall segment has a height
H.sub.2, said H.sub.1 is greater than said H.sub.2 such that an
angle .alpha. is defined between said top wall segment and said
bottom wall segment.
17. The shim of claim 16, wherein: said angle .alpha. is less than
10.degree..
18. The shim of claim 16, wherein: said angle .alpha. is about
2.degree..
19. The shim of claim 14, wherein: said top wall segment has a
width W.sub.1 which is about 1.5 inches, and a length L.sub.1 of
about 14 inches.
20. The shim of claim 14, wherein: said height H.sub.1 of said
first end wall segment is about 3/8 of an inch, and said height
H.sub.2 of said second end wall segment is about {fraction (1/32)}
of an inch.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a shim and an
associated method of adjusting the spatial relationship between a
first surface and a second surface. The present invention
particularly relates to a shim having a body member made from a
plastic material and an associated method of adjusting the spatial
relationship between a first surface and a second surface with the
shim.
[0002] Typically, a shim is a thin piece of wood which is used to
adjust the spatial relationship between two surfaces. For example,
a shim can be placed in between a surface defined on a frame member
of a door and a surface defined on a frame member of a house. Once
the shim is positioned in the above described manner, a tool, such
as a hammer can be utilized to advance the shim between the two
surfaces, and thus adjust the spatial relationship between the door
and the frame member of the house. However, heretofore, a problem
with shims is that they tend to break or splinter when they are
driven between the two surfaces. The breaking of shims during the
process of trying to adjust the spatial relationship between, for
example a door and a frame member of a house, is inconvenient and a
source of frustration for the person using the shim. In addition,
the undesirable breakage of shims can be dangerous and costly.
[0003] Therefore, in light of the above discussion, it is apparent
that a shim and an associated method of adjusting the spatial
relationship between a first surface and a second surface, which
addresses one or more of the above discussed drawbacks is
desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
there is provided a shim. The shim includes a body member having
(i) a top wall segment having a first end and a second end, (ii) a
first end wall segment attached to and extending from the first end
of the top wall segment, (iii) a second end wall segment attached
to and extending from the second end of the top wall segment, and
(iv) a bottom wall segment having a third end and a fourth end, the
third end of the bottom wall segment being attached to the first
end wall segment, and the fourth end of the bottom wall segment
being attached to the second end wall segment. The top wall
segment, the first end wall segment, the second end wall segment
and the bottom wall segment are all made from a plastic
material.
[0005] Pursuant to another embodiment of the present invention,
there is provided a method of adjusting the spatial relationship
between a first surface and a second surface. The method includes
(a) inserting a shim having a body member which is made out of a
plastic material into a space defined between the first surface and
the second surface such that the body member is in contact with the
first surface and the second surface and (b) advancing the body
member into the space so that the first surface is moved relative
to the second surface.
[0006] According to yet another embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided an a shim. The shim includes a body
member made out of a plastic material.
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a new and useful shim.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
improved shim.
[0009] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a new and useful method of adjusting the spatial
relationship between a first surface and a second surface.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
improved method of adjusting the spatial relationship between a
first surface and a second surface.
[0011] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following
description and attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a top elevational view of a shim which
incorporates the features of the present invention therein;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the shim shown in FIG.
1 taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1; and
[0014] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the shim
shown in FIG. 1 being inserted into a space defined between a
surface of a frame member and a surface of another frame member
(note that a fragmentary view of a hammer is also shown).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications
and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof has been shown
by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in
detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent
to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the
contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents,
and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a shim 10
which incorporates the features of the present invention therein.
Shim 10 includes a body member 52. Body member 52 includes a top
wall segment 12 having an end 44 and an end 46. Body member 52 also
includes an end wall segment 22 attached to and extending from end
44 of top wall segment 12. Body member further 52 further includes
an end wall segment 20 attached to and extending from end 46 of top
wall segment 12. Body member 52 still further includes a bottom
wall segment 14 having an end 48 and an end 50. Body member 52 also
includes a side wall segment 16 interposed between and attached to
top wall segment 12 and bottom wall segment 14. Body member 52 also
includes a side wall segment 18 (which is substantially identical
to side wall segment 16) interposed between and attached to top
wall segment 12 and bottom wall segment 14. End 50 of bottom wall
segment 14 is attached to end wall segment 20. End 48 of bottom
wall segment 14 is attached to end wall segment 22. It should be
appreciated that top wall segment 12 and bottom wall segment 14 are
substantially identical and, as previously mentioned, a side wall
segment 18 and side wall segment 16 are also substantially
identical.
[0017] Preferably, body member 52 is constructed from a solid piece
of plastic material. What is meant herein by plastic material is a
polymeric material of large molecular weight which can be shaped by
flow. Examples of plastic material which can be utilized in the
present invention include, but are not limited to,
Poly(decamethylene carboxamide) poly(11-aminoundecanoic acid)
(nylon 11, Rislan), Poly(hexamethylene adipamide) (nylon 66,
Bri-Nylon), Poly(hexamethylene sebacamide) (nylon 610),
Polycaprolactam poly(pentamethylene carboxamide)
poly(6-aminohexanoic acid) (nylon 6, Perlon, Caprolan),
Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (Dacron, Terylene, Fortrel, Mylar),
Poly(butylene terephthalate), Poly(4,4'-isopropylidine-diphenyl
carbonate) poly(4,4'-carbonato-2,2-diphenylpropane) (Lexan),
Polyformaldehyde (Delrin, Celcon), Poly(2,6-xylenol)
poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (Parlene),
Poly(phenol-formaldehyde) resins (Bakelite),
Poly(melamine-formaldehyde) resins, (Udel polysulfone),
Poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) copolymers (ABS polymers),
and Polyethylene polymethylene, Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). It
should be appreciated that having body member 52 made from a
plastic material is an advantage of the present invention. In
particular, having body member 52 made from a plastic material
imparts greater strength to shim 10 and thus substantially prevents
body member 52 from undesirably breaking during use. For example,
shim 10 can be struck with a hammer 42 (see FIG. 3) without
undesirably breaking or shattering. However, shim 10 can be
purposefully cut or broken, if and when, desired. Furthermore, any
appropriate plastic material can be utilized to make shim 10 as
long as it (i) is strong enough to substantially prevent the
undesirable breaking or shattering of body member 52, while still
allowing the purposeful breaking or cutting thereof and (ii) is
strong enough to so that it does not substantially bend or deform
when a force is applied thereto (e.g. being struck with a hammer)
so as to drive shim 10 in between two closely spaced surfaces. In
other words, the plastic material shim 10 is made from must be
stiff and strong enough such that body member 52 can have a
sufficient force applied thereto so as to drive body member 52 in
between two closely spaced surfaces without body member 52 bending
or deforming to a degree which prevents body member 52 from being
efficiently driven between the two aforementioned surfaces.
[0018] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, shim 10 is preferably
shaped in the form of a wedge. In particular, as shown in FIG. 2,
end wall segment 20 has a height H.sub.1 and end wall segment 22
has a height H.sub.2, H.sub.1 is greater than H.sub.2 so that an
angle .alpha. is defined between top wall segment 12 and bottom
wall segment 14. Preferably, angle .alpha. is less than 10.degree..
More preferably, angle .alpha. is about 2.degree.. In one
embodiment of the present invention, H.sub.1 of end wall segment 20
can be about 3/8 of an inch and H.sub.2 of end wall segment 22 can
be about {fraction (1/32)} of an inch. It should also be understood
that top wall segment 12 has a length L.sub.1 and a width W.sub.1
and in one embodiment of the present invention L.sub.1 about 14
inches and W.sub.1 can be about 1.5 inches. Having shim 10
configured in the above described manner advantageously facilitates
the insertion of shim 10 in between two closely spaced
surfaces.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, shim 10 is utilized to adjust the
spatial relationship between surface 26 defined on frame member 28
and surface 30 defined on frame member 32. In particular, body
member 52 of shim 10 is inserted into a space 24 defined between
surface 26 and surface 30 in the direction indicated by arrow 34 so
that body member 52 is in contact with surface 26 and surface 30.
Inserting shim 10 into space 24 in the direction indicated by arrow
34 results in frame member 28, and thus surface 26, moving relative
to frame member 32 in the direction indicated by arrow 40. On the
other hand, withdrawing shim 10 out of space 24 in the direction
indicated by arrow 36 results in frame member 28, and thus surface
26, moving relative to frame member 32 in the direction indicated
by arrow 38. Thus, it should be understood that shim 10 can be
moved in the above described manner until frame member 28 is
appropriately positioned relative to frame member 32. Once frame
member 28 is appropriately positioned relative to frame member 32,
frame member 28 can be nailed or otherwise fixed in relation to
frame member 32 so as to maintain its desired position.
Furthermore, if desired, once frame member 28 is appropriately
positioned relative to frame member 32 with shim 10, shim 10 can be
purposefully cut, or broken off, at a desired location, e.g. at a
location so that no portion of shim 10 extends out of space 24, so
that the portion remaining in space 24 facilitates maintaining the
desired position of frame member 28. Note that the present
invention is not limited to just one surface moving relative to
another, both surfaces moving relative to another is also
contemplated. Also note that, if necessary, shim 10 can be moved in
the directions indicated by arrows 34 and 36 with the assistance of
a tool since body member 52 is made from a plastic material and
thus is strong enough to take such punishment. For example, shim 10
can be struck with hammer 42 without breaking or shattering.
[0020] Therefore, in light of the above discussion it should be
appreciated that shim 10 can be utilized in the above described
manner without undesirably breaking or shattering. For example,
shim 10 can be utilized in the above described manner to adjust the
position of surfaces defined on a door frame or a frame of a window
without undesirably breaking or shattering. However, it should be
appreciated that the use of shim 10 is not limited to adjusting
window or door frames but rather can be used to adjust a wide
variety of structural components. Thus the present invention
address the aforementioned problem of shims tending to break or
splinter when they are driven between two surfaces.
[0021] While the invention has been illustrated and described in
detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration
and description is to be considered as exemplary and not
restrictive in character, it being understood that only the
preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all
changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the
invention are desired to be protected. For example, while the
mechanism described above for moving the sealing members from the
first orientation to the second orientation has many benefits,
other mechanisms may be used. One such mechanism may utilize
pressure in the body cavity to force the sealing members against
the interior surface thereof.
* * * * *