Spacer assembly

Abstract

A spacer assembly for spacing panels is disclosed. The spacer assembly includes an elongate body having a top and a bottom and extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and has a front side and a back side. The body includes a first projection extending transversely from the bottom a first predetermined distance adjacent the second end and a second projection extending from the top adjacent the first end a second predetermined distance less than the first predetermined distance. The second projection is canted outwardly and the top additionally includes a sloped portion that is canted generally perpendicularly relative to the second projection. A handle extends from the top away from the first projection at the second end and includes a first protrusion extending longitudinally from the handle and away from the second end and a second protrusion extending longitudinally from the handle toward the first end.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A spacer assembly for spacing panels, comprising:
 an elongate body having a top and a bottom and extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and having a front side and a back side,   said body including a first projection extending transversely from said bottom adjacent said second end in a first direction a first predetermined distance and extending laterally from said front side to said back side for insertion between the panels and establishing a space therebetween,   said body including a second projection extending in a second direction generally opposite said first direction a second predetermined distance and extending laterally from said front side to said back side for insertion between the panels and establishing a space therebetween, and   a handle extending from said top of said body away from said first projection at said second end extending laterally from said front side to said back side and including a first protrusion extending longitudinally from said handle and away from said second end for enabling handling of the spacer assembly and facilitating removal of the spacer assembly from between the panels.   
     
     
         2 . The spacer assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said second predetermined distance is different than said first predetermined distance for enabling said spacer assembly to be used with both tongue and groove type panels and panels without tongue and groove. 
     
     
         3 . The spacer assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said second projection extends from said top adjacent said first end. 
     
     
         4 . The spacer assembly as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said second projection is canted outwardly at a first angle. 
     
     
         5 . The spacer assembly as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said body includes a sloped portion extending longitudinally along said top and laterally from said front side to said back side and being canted generally perpendicularly relative to said second projection and presenting a second contact surface for abutting the panels. 
     
     
         6 . The spacer assembly as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said sloped portion extends above said top. 
     
     
         7 . The spacer assembly as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said sloped portion is recessed below said top. 
     
     
         8 . The spacer assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said top and said bottom extend longitudinally from said first end to said second end in a diverging fashion. 
     
     
         9 . The spacer assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said second projection extends from said handle away from said top adjacent said second end. 
     
     
         10 . The spacer assembly as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said second projection is canted inwardly at a second angle. 
     
     
         11 . The spacer assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said handle includes a second protrusion extending longitudinally from said handle toward said first end. 
     
     
         12 . The spacer assembly as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said first protrusion and said second protrusion each have a rounded semi-circular cross-section. 
     
     
         13 . The spacer assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first protrusion has a rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         14 . The spacer assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said bottom of said body is generally planar and presents a first contact surface for abutting the panels. 
     
     
         15 . A spacer assembly for spacing panels, comprising:
 an elongate body having a top and a bottom and extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and having a front side and a back side,   said body including a first projection extending transversely from said bottom adjacent said second end in a first direction a first predetermined distance and extending laterally from said front side to said back side for insertion between the panels and establishing a space therebetween,   said body including a second projection extending in a second direction generally opposite said first direction a second predetermined distance and extending laterally from said front side to said back side for insertion between the panels and establishing a space therebetween, and   said second predetermined distance being different than said first predetermined distance for enabling said spacer assembly to be used with both tongue and groove type panels and panels without tongue and groove.   
     
     
         16 . The spacer assembly as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said second projection extends from said top adjacent said first end. 
     
     
         17 . The spacer assembly as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said second projection is canted outwardly at a first angle. 
     
     
         18 . The spacer assembly as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said body includes a sloped portion extending longitudinally along said top and laterally from said front side to said back side and being canted generally perpendicularly relative to said second projection and presenting a second contact surface for abutting the panels. 
     
     
         19 . The spacer assembly as set forth in  claim 18  wherein said sloped portion extends above said top. 
     
     
         20 . The spacer assembly as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said first projection has a first width and said second projection has a second width different than said first width.