Shim Technology

Abstract

A shim holder includes a body having a center panel, a pair of middle panels connected to the center panel, and a pair of outer panels connected to the middle panels and adapted to be fixed to a surface to be shimmed. The body is unitary, thin, substantially flat in a normal state, and flexible. Adhesive elements are disposed on the outer panels to fix the holder to the surface to be shimmed. Also disclosed is a shim holder including an outer member; an inner member for contact with a surface to be shimmed; and at least one elastomeric connecter for connecting the outer member to the inner member. An adhesive element is disposed on the inner member for fixing the inner member to the surface to be shimmed. Further disclosed is a method of attaching a shim to a surface to be shimmed including the steps of providing a shim holder, attaching the shim holder to the surface to be shimmed, and loading at least one shim to the shim holder.

1 . A shim holder comprising a body having a center panel, a pair of middle panels connected to the center panel, and a pair of outer panels connected to the middle panels and adapted to be fixed to a surface to be shimmed. 
   
   
       2 . The shim holder of  claim 1 , wherein the body is unitary, thin, substantially flat in a normal state, and flexible. 
   
   
       3 . The shim holder of  claim 1 , wherein the body is constructed of a flexible plastic material. 
   
   
       4 . The shim holder of  claim 1 , wherein the middle panels are separated from the center panel by at least one slot. 
   
   
       5 . The shim holder of  claim 4 , wherein the outer or end panels are separated from their respective middle panels by at least one slot. 
   
   
       6 . The shim holder of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive member disposed on each outer panel. 
   
   
       7 . The shim holder of  claim 1 , wherein the body has substantially rectangular configuration with a predetermined size for connection to a surface to be shimmed. 
   
   
       8 . The shim holder of  claim 1  being used by a method comprising the steps of providing a shim holder, adhering the shim holder to a surface to be shimmed, and loading the shim holder with at least one shim. 
   
   
       9 . A shim holder comprising an outer member; an inner member for contact with a surface to be shimmed; and at least one elastomeric connecter for connecting the outer member to the inner member. 
   
   
       10 . The shim holder of  claim 9  further adhesive element disposed on the inner member for fixing the inner member to the surface to be shimmed. 
   
   
       11 . The shim holder of  claim 10 , wherein the elastomeric member is a rubber band. 
   
   
       12 . The shim holder of  claim 10 , wherein the inner and outer members are constructed of a polymeric material. 
   
   
       13 . The shim holder of  claim 12 , wherein the center of the inner and outer members is substantially rigid, and the ends of the inner and outer members are relatively flexible. 
   
   
       14 . The shim holder of  claim 9 , being used by a method comprising the steps of providing a shim holder, adhering the shim holder to a surface to be shimmed, and loading the shim holder with at least one shim. 
   
   
       15 . A method of attaching a shim to a surface to be shimmed comprising the steps of providing a shim holder, attaching the shim holder to the surface to be shimmed, and loading at least one shim to the shim holder.