Stretching Latch for Siding

Abstract

An extendable device for positioning and leveling siding planks during installation supports a row of siding planks and has one or more integrated levels per a standard latch. However, the device also telescopes out to a greater length, equal to the combined lengths of several planks of siding. This device can also be used in roofing for the placement of shingles. There are three different sizes which extend to four feet, eight feet, and sixteen feet in length.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A stretching latch for siding comprising:
 (a) a crossbar;   (b) said crossbar being pierced by a plurality of nail holes;   (c) a pair of crossbar arms;   (d) said pair of crossbar arms being affixed to said crossbar slidably so as to permit said crossbar arms to be extended and retracted in a telescoping manner;   (e) a plurality of vertical slides;   (f) each of said plurality of vertical slides being affixed to one of said crossbar or said pair of crossbar arms so as to extend downward;   (g) each of said plurality of vertical slides being pierced by at a slot;   (h) said slot being closed at both ends, elongated, and extending for nearly the entire length of that of said plurality of vertical slides that said slot pierces;   (i) a horizontal support;   (j) a pair of telescoping support arms;   (k) said pair of telescoping support arms being affixed to said horizontal support slidably so as to permit said telescoping support arms to be extended and retracted in a telescoping manner; and   (l) at least one of said horizontal support or said pair of telescoping support arms being slidably affixed to each of said plurality of vertical slides by a tensionable fastener.   
     
     
         2 . The stretching latch for siding of  claim 1  wherein said vertical slides are of a height suitable to accommodate panels of siding. 
     
     
         3 . The stretching latch for siding of  claim 1  wherein said crossbar, together with said crossbar arms, and, separately, said horizontal support, together with said telescoping support arms, are both able to telescope to a maximum length equal to the combined length of several planks of siding. 
     
     
         4 . The stretching latch for sliding of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said plurality of vertical slides is removably affixed to said crossbar. 
     
     
         5 . The stretching latch for siding of  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of vertical slides is marked with numbered, calibrated markings. 
     
     
         6 . The stretching latch for siding of  claim 1  wherein one or more levels are incorporated into said crossbar. 
     
     
         7 . The stretching latch for siding of  claim 2  wherein said crossbar, together with said crossbar arms, and, separately, said horizontal support, together with said telescoping support arms, are both able to telescope to a maximum length equal to the combined length of several planks of siding. 
     
     
         8 . The stretching latch for siding of  claim 4  wherein said crossbar, together with said crossbar arms, and, separately, said horizontal support, together with said telescoping support arms, are both able to telescope to a maximum length equal to the combined length of several planks of siding. 
     
     
         9 . The stretching latch for siding of  claim 5  wherein said crossbar, together with said crossbar arms, and, separately, said horizontal support, together with said telescoping support arms, are both able to telescope to a maximum length equal to the combined length of several planks of siding. 
     
     
         10 . The stretching latch for siding of  claim 6  wherein said crossbar, together with said crossbar arms, and, separately, said horizontal support, together with said telescoping support arms, are both able to telescope to a maximum length equal to the combined length of several planks of siding. 
     
     
         11 . The stretching latch for sliding of  claim 7  wherein at least one of said plurality of vertical slides is removably affixed to said crossbar. 
     
     
         12 . The stretching latch for siding of  claim 7  wherein each of said plurality of vertical slides is marked with numbered, calibrated markings. 
     
     
         13 . The stretching latch for siding of  claim 7  wherein one or more levels are incorporated into said crossbar. 
     
     
         14 . The stretching latch for siding of  claim 11  wherein one or more levels are incorporated into said crossbar. 
     
     
         15 . The stretching latch for siding of  claim 12  wherein one or more levels are incorporated into said crossbar. 
     
     
         16 . The stretching latch for siding of  claim 15  wherein each of said plurality of vertical slides is marked with numbered, calibrated markings. 
     
     
         17 . A method of use of the stretching latch for siding of  claim 1  comprising: given a wall to which siding is to be affixed, one or more nails, and one or more planks of siding; the method comprising affixing said crossbar to said wall to which siding is to be affixed by driving said one or more nails through at least one of said plurality of nail holes; extending said crossbar arms and said telescoping support arms to a desired length suitable to support a desired number of said one or more planks of siding; securing said support  16  and said support arms  17  to said vertical slides at a desired height suitable for accommodating the height of said one or more planks of siding, using said tensionable fasteners; and securing said one or more planks of siding to said wall to which siding is to be affixed. 
     
     
         18 . A method of use of the stretching latch for siding of  claim 3  comprising: given a wall to which siding is to be affixed, one or more nails, and one or more planks of siding; the method comprising affixing said crossbar to said wall to which siding is to be affixed by driving said one or more nails through at least one of said plurality of nail holes; extending said crossbar arms and said telescoping support arms to a desired length suitable to support a desired number of said one or more planks of siding; securing said support  16  and said support arms  17  to said vertical slides at a desired height suitable for accommodating the height of said one or more planks of siding, using said tensionable fasteners; and securing said one or more planks of siding to said wall to which siding is to be affixed. 
     
     
         19 . A method of use of the stretching latch for siding of  claim 7  comprising: given a wall to which siding is to be affixed, one or more nails, and one or more planks of siding; the method comprising affixing said crossbar to said wall to which siding is to be affixed by driving said one or more nails through at least one of said plurality of nail holes; extending said crossbar arms and said telescoping support arms to a desired length suitable to support a desired number of said one or more planks of siding; securing said support  16  and said support arms  17  to said vertical slides at a desired height suitable for accommodating the height of said one or more planks of siding, using said tensionable fasteners; and securing said one or more planks of siding to said wall to which siding is to be affixed. 
     
     
         20 . A method of use of the stretching latch for siding of  claim 16  comprising: given a wall to which siding is to be affixed, one or more nails, and one or more planks of siding; the method comprising affixing said crossbar to said wall to which siding is to be affixed by driving said one or more nails through at least one of said plurality of nail holes; extending said crossbar arms and said telescoping support arms to a desired length suitable to support a desired number of said one or more planks of siding; securing said support  16  and said support arms  17  to said vertical slides at a desired height suitable for accommodating the height of said one or more planks of siding, using said tensionable fasteners; and securing said one or more planks of siding to said wall to which siding is to be affixed.