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.

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 1 ,    said second end wall segment has a height H 2 ,    said H 1  is greater than said H 2  such that an angle α is defined between said top wall segment and said bottom wall segment.    
     
     
         5 . The shim of  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said angle α is less than 10°.    
     
     
         6 . The shim of  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said angle α is about 2°.    
     
     
         7 . The shim of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said top wall segment has a width W 1  which is about 1.5 inches, and    a length L 1  of about 14 inches.    
     
     
         8 . The shim of  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said height H 1  of said first end wall segment is about ⅜ of an inch, and    said height H 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 1 ,    said second end wall segment has a height H 2 ,    said H 1  is greater than said H 2  such that an angle α is defined between said top wall segment and said bottom wall segment.    
     
     
         17 . The shim of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 said angle α is less than 10°.    
     
     
         18 . The shim of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 said angle α is about 2°.    
     
     
         19 . The shim of  claim 14 , wherein: 
 said top wall segment has a width W 1  which is about 1.5 inches, and    a length L 1  of about 14 inches.    
     
     
         20 . The shim of  claim 14 , wherein: 
 said height H 1  of said first end wall segment is about ⅜ of an inch, and    said height H 2  of said second end wall segment is about {fraction (1/32)} of an inch.