Support structures for insulation and other materials

Abstract

A holder for supporting a material that includes a support member having a non-linear first wire element and self-anchoring second and third wire elements for anchoring the support member to two beams of a structure, with each of the second and third wire elements defining an end designed for coupling to a respective one of the beams. Methods and kits provide a compact and adjustable holder including a non-liner support member for confining materials between beams of a building or structure.

1 . An article for holding a material in place, comprising: 
 a support member having a non-linear first wire element for supporting said material and second and third wire elements for self-anchoring said support member to two beams of a structure, each of said second and third elements being contiguous with said first wire element and defining an end adapted to be secured to each one of the two beams.    
   
   
       2 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein said non-linear first wire element comprises a W-shaped wire member.  
   
   
       3 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein said second wire element comprises a first arm and said third wire element comprises a second arm, said first arm and said second arm cooperating to define a generally L-shaped part of said article, and said second arm having an end which is spaced from said first arm by adjusting the length of the first wire element.  
   
   
       4 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein said second and third wire elements are configured to define a plane that is not parallel to a second plane defined by said first wire element.  
   
   
       5 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein said support member further comprises a linear portion flanking said non-linear first wire element.  
   
   
       6 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said second and third wire elements includes a generally U-shaped member which defines an opening and has a pair of spaced legs, at least one of said legs having a sharpened end portion which anchors said article on respective one of said beams.  
   
   
       7 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said second and third wire elements includes a pair of bracket-like members which defines an opening that anchors said article to an I-beam.  
   
   
       8 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein said article contains at least one indication of length upon said second and third elements such that the second an third elements can both be bent to a substantially uniform length.  
   
   
       9 . A kit, comprising: 
 a plurality of holders, said holders each including a support member having a non-linear first wire element for supporting said material and second and third wire elements for anchoring said support member to two beams of a structure, each of said second and third elements being contiguous with said first wire element and defining an end adapted to be secured to each one of the two beams; and    a holster for housing said plurality of holders together.    
   
   
       10 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein said holders contain at least one indication of length upon said second and third elements such that the second an third elements can both be bent to a substantially uniform length.  
   
   
       11 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein said holster contains a slot disposed on an exterior surface of said holster, said slot being adapted for bending one or more of said plurality of holders.  
   
   
       12 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein said holster contains an indication of measurement disposed upon an exterior surface thereof.  
   
   
       13 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein said holster further comprises a pressure-backing adapted to keep said holders substantially engaged within said holster.  
   
   
       14 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein said pressure member includes a spring.  
   
   
       15 . A method for supporting a material in a building, comprising the step of: 
 confining said material between two beams using a holder, said holder comprising a support member having a non-linear first wire element for supporting said material and second and third wire elements for self-anchoring said support member to said two beams, each of said second and third elements being contiguous with said first wire element and defining an end adapted to be secured to each one of the two beams.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of confining further includes expanding or compressing said non-linear support member to a desired width prior to securing said holder to one of said beams.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the confining step further includes bending said second and said third elements to a desired length prior to securing said holder to one of said beams.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said bending of said second and third elements is at an indication of length disposed thereon.