Starter jig

Abstract

A method and system for installing a first course of shakes or shingles on either a wall or a roof of a structure. The shake starter jig comprises an anchor leg with a first end and a second end, a suspension mechanism located adjacent the first end of the anchor leg to facilitate securing the shake starter jig to a desired surface, a ledger shelf supported adjacent the second end of the anchor leg, a ledger support rigidly affixed to a remote end of the ledger shelf, the second end of the anchor leg, the ledger shelf and the ledger support are all sized so as to facilitate receiving and accommodating a ledger board therebetween. The suspension mechanism is located a predefined distance away from the ledger shelf so as to facilitate spacing the ledger shelf a desired distance from a level line.

1 . A shake starter jig for installing a starter course of shakes to a surface of a structure, the shake starter jig comprising:
 an anchor leg having a first end and a second end;   a suspension mechanism being located adjacent the first end of the anchor leg to facilitate securing the shake starter jig to a desired surface;   a ledger shelf being supported adjacent the second end of the anchor leg;   a ledger support being rigidly affixed to a remote end of the ledger shelf;   the second end of the anchor leg, the ledger shelf and the ledger support being sized to facilitate receiving and accommodating a ledger board therebetween; and   the suspension mechanism being located a predefined distance from the ledger shelf to facilitate spacing the ledger shelf a desired distance from a level line to be applied to surface.   
     
     
         2 . The shake starter jig for installing a starter course according to  claim 1 , wherein a main position indicator is located adjacent the suspension mechanism to assist with positioning the shake starter jig on the surface of the structure. 
     
     
         3 . The shake starter jig for installing a starter course according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one adjustment marker is provided adjacent the suspension mechanism to assist with repositioning of the shake starter jig, relative to a level line, when a drip course is to be installed on the structure. 
     
     
         4 . The shake starter jig for installing a starter course according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of spaced apart adjustment markers are provided, adjacent the suspension mechanism, to assist with repositioning of the shake starter jig, relative to a level line, when a drip course is to be installed on the structure. 
     
     
         5 . The shake starter jig for installing a starter course according to  claim 1 , wherein the suspension mechanism is an aperture having at least one support position for supporting the shake starter jig. 
     
     
         6 . The shake starter jig for installing a starter course according to  claim 5 , wherein the aperture has a plurality of support positions for supporting the shake starter jig. 
     
     
         7 . The shake starter jig for installing a starter course according to  claim 1 , wherein, when the ledger board is received by the second end of the anchor leg, the ledger shelf and the ledger support, a longitudinal surface of the ledger board lies substantially normal to the anchor leg and forms a shake support surface for supporting a plurality of shakes during installation of the starter course of shakes to the surface of the structure. 
     
     
         8 . The shake starter jig for installing a starter course according to  claim 1 , wherein the shake starter jig is manufactured from resilient material. 
     
     
         9 . The shake starter jig for installing a starter course according to  claim 8 , wherein the resilient material is one of spring steel, a plastic and a composite. 
     
     
         10 . The shake starter jig for installing a starter course according to  claim 8 , wherein the shake starter jig has a width of between ½ inch to 5 inches, a thickness of between 1/32 to ⅛ inch, and length of between 8 inches to 30 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The shake starter jig for installing a starter course according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchor leg is substantially planar. 
     
     
         12 . The shake starter jig for installing a starter course according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchor leg comprises a first section, a second section and an intermediate section, the intermediate section forms an angle of between 100 and 135 degrees, and the intermediate section forms an angle of between 100 and 135 degrees with the second section of the anchor leg and thereby forms a stepped out section for the shake starter jig. 
     
     
         13 . The shake starter jig for installing a starter course according to  claim 1 , wherein the ledger shelf is bent away from a sheath engaging second surface of the shake starter jig and has a length of between ½ inch to 1 inch. 
     
     
         14 . The shake starter jig for installing a starter course according to  claim 13 , wherein the ledger support has a length of between 2 and 7 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The shake starter jig for installing a starter course according to  claim 1 , wherein the ledger shelf is bent toward a sheath engaging second surface of the shake starter jig and has a length of between ½ inch to 1 inch. 
     
     
         16 . The shake starter jig for installing a starter course according to  claim 15 , wherein a free end of the ledger board is sufficiently long so as to overlap a portion of an exterior side wall of the building, and ensures proper positioning of the ledger board for receiving and retaining a plurality of shakes to be applied. 
     
     
         17 . The shake starter jig for installing a starter course according to  claim 16 , wherein the ledger support has a length of between 2 and 7 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The shake starter jig for installing a starter course according to  claim 13 , wherein a free end of the ledger support bends slightly away from the anchor leg so as to facilitate receiving a ledger board between the ledger support and the anchor leg. 
     
     
         19 . A shake starter jig for installing a starter course of shakes to a surface, the shake starter jig comprising:
 an anchor leg having a top end and a lower end, the top end of the anchor leg having at least one marking thereon which is located at a specified distance from the lower end of the anchor leg,   an aperture being located adjacent the top end of the anchor leg for securing the shake starter jig to a desired surface;   a ledger shelf being rigidly fixed to the lower end of the anchor leg, the ledger shelf extending normal to the anchor leg such that the ledger shelf is at least substantially perpendicular to the surface of the structure; and   a ledger support being rigidly fixed to a remote end of the ledger shelf which is remote from the anchor leg, the ledger support forming an angle with the ledger shelf, the anchor leg, the ledger shelf and the ledger support supporting a ledger board such that one surface of the ledger board is at least substantially normal to the surface of the structure when the shake starter jig is secured to the surface of the structure, the surface of the ledger board forms a support surface which supports a plurality of shakes in a set position for installing the starter course of shakes on the surface of the structure.   
     
     
         20 . A method of installing a starter course of shakes on a surface of a structure utilizing at least first and second shake starter jigs, with each of the shake starter jigs comprising an anchor leg having a first end and a second end, a suspension mechanism located adjacent the first end of the anchor leg to facilitate securing the shake starter jig to a desired surface of a structure; a ledger shelf being supported adjacent the second end of the anchor leg; a ledger support being rigidly affixed to a remote end of the ledger shelf; the second end of the anchor leg, the ledger shelf and the ledger support being sized to facilitate receiving and accommodating a ledger board therebetween; and the suspension mechanism being located a predefined distance away from the ledger shelf to facilitate spacing the ledger shelf a desired distance from a level line, the method comprising the steps of:
 drawing a level line on the structure;   affixing the first shake starter jig on the surface of the structure with the suspension mechanism is aligned with the level line;   affixing the second shake starter jig on the surface of the structure, spaced from the first shake starter jig, with the suspension mechanism aligned with the level line;   supporting a ledger board on a ledger shelves of the first and second shake starter jigs;   supporting a plurality of shakes on a support surface of the ledger board; and   affixing the plurality of shakes to the surface of the structure so as to form the a starter course of shakes.