Retaining means

Abstract

A retaining means comprising: an elongate mounting means; a gripping means; the gripping means comprising a first and second gripping portion, at least one of which is formed at least in part from a flexibly resilient material; each gripping portion being attached to the mounting means; and the first gripping portion having an outer edge positioned in close spatial arrangement with an outer edge of a second gripping portion such that an article may be retained between the outer edge of the first and second gripping portions.

1 . A retaining means comprising:
 an elongate mounting means;   a gripping means;   the gripping means further comprising a first and second gripping portion, at least one of which is formed at least in part from a flexibly resilient material;   each gripping portion being attached to the mounting means; and   the first gripping portion having an outer edge positioned in close spatial arrangement with an outer edge of a second gripping portion such that an article may be retained between the outer edge of the first and second gripping portions.   
     
     
         2 . A retaining means according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting means comprises at least two support members, each support member having an upper edge. 
     
     
         3 . A retaining means according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the support means comprises an engaging means for attaching the retaining means to an existing structure. 
     
     
         4 . A retaining means according to  claim 3 , wherein the engaging means is provided in the form of a recess. 
     
     
         5 . A retaining means according to  claim 2 , wherein the gripping means is co-extensive with at least one of the support members. 
     
     
         6 . A retaining means according to  claim 2 , wherein the gripping means has serrations provided in each of the portions thereof extending over the upper edge of at least one of the support members. 
     
     
         7 . A retaining means according to  claim 6 , wherein the serrations are formed from the flexibly resilient material. 
     
     
         8 . A retaining means according to  claim 1 , wherein the or each portion of the gripping means comprises a strip of the flexibly resilient material. 
     
     
         9 . A retaining means according to  claim 8 , wherein the strip of flexibly resilient material further comprises one or more slits extending transversely across the portion from the outer edge defining therein a plurality of finger-like formations. 
     
     
         10 . A retaining means according to  claim 1 , wherein in the outer edge of the first gripping portion abuts or is located adjacent to the second gripping portion. 
     
     
         11 . A retaining means according to  claim 1 , wherein each gripping portion attaches to the mounting means via an integrated slot. 
     
     
         12 . A retaining means according to  claim 2 , wherein one of the gripping portions also forms one of the support members. 
     
     
         13 . A retaining means according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting means further comprises a base. 
     
     
         14 . A retaining means according to  claim 13 , wherein the base has at least one drainage aperture. 
     
     
         15 . A retaining means according to  claim 1 , wherein the retaining means further comprises an end bracket in which the mounting means is received. 
     
     
         16 . A retaining means according to  claim 15 , wherein the bracket comprises two portions adapted to engage with each other and to enclose at least a portion of a frame of an existing structure therebetween. 
     
     
         17 . A retaining means according to  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the portions of the bracket further comprise a retaining means support. 
     
     
         18 . A retaining means according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting means is formed from rigid or semi-rigid material. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled)