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 opening designed to receive 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 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 self-anchoring second and third wire elements for anchoring said support member to two beams of a structure, each of said second and third elements defining an opening designed to receive a respective one of the 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 support member.  
   
   
       4 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein said second and third wire elements are bent to define a plane that is not parallel to a second plane defined by said support member.  
   
   
       5 . The article of  claim 4 , wherein said second and third wire elements are bent about 90 degrees relative to said support member.  
   
   
       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 an end portion which slopes towards the other leg of the respective U-shaped member so as to define a hook which anchors said article to a respective one of said beams.  
   
   
       7 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said second and third wire elements includes a generally C-shaped member which defines an opening that anchors said article to a respective one of said beams.  
   
   
       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 self-anchoring second and third wire elements for anchoring said support member to two beams of a structure, each of said second and third elements defining an opening designed to receive a respective one of the 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 rigid edge being adapted for bending one or more of said plurality of holders at a top portion of said holster.  
   
   
       12 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein said non-linear first wire element comprises a W-shaped wire member.  
   
   
       13 . The kit of  claim 9 , 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 support member.  
   
   
       14 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein said second and third wire elements are bent to define a plane that is not parallel to a second plane defined by said support member.  
   
   
       15 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein said second and third wire elements are bent about 90 degrees relative to said support member.  
   
   
       16 . The kit of  claim 9 , 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 an end portion which slopes towards the other leg of the respective U-shaped member so as to define a hook which anchors said article to a respective one of said beams.  
   
   
       17 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of said second and third wire elements includes a generally C-shaped member which defines an opening that anchors said article to a respective one of said beams.  
   
   
       18 . A method for supporting a material in a building, comprising the steps of: 
 placing said material between two beams of a structure; and    confining said material between said beams using a holder, said holder comprising a support member having a non-linear first wire element for supporting said material and self-anchoring second and third wire elements that each define openings for anchoring said support member to the two beams of the structure, the confining step including inserting one of said beams in each of said openings defined by said second and third wire elements.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the confining step further includes expanding or compressing said non-linear support member to a desired width prior to insertion of one of said beams.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the confining step further includes bending said second and said third elements to a desired length prior to insertion of one of said beams.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said bending of said second and third elements is at an indication of length disposed thereon.