Patent Grant
10145132
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
The inventions disclosed and taught herein relate generally to systems and methods for patching a hole in a wall.
There are known systems for patching a hole in a wall.
For example, there is a system that comprises adhering a screen material to an outer-finished surface of the wall, covering the hole. A putty is then applied to the screen and paint is applied to conceal the hole.
Although these prior art solutions can be effective, there are several drawbacks to them as well. For example, the prior art technique does not provide adequate support and leaves a raised surface over the hole.
The objects described above and other advantages and features of the invention are incorporated in the application as set forth herein, and the associated appendices and drawings.
Applicant has created an apparatus for patching a hole in a wall. The apparatus preferably comprises a multi-section backer plate and a setting or installation tool.
In at least one embodiment, the backer plate comprises a left section, a right section, and a middle section presenting a forward facing planar surface, the three sections together presenting a face co-planar with the planar surface of the middle section. The backer plate also preferably includes an adhesive along four sides of the face of the backer plate to bond the plate to an inner surface of the wall, thereby providing support for a filler material to fill the hole.
The sections are preferably joined with integrally molded hinges rotatably connecting the middle section to the left section and the right section. The hinges allow the left and right sections to fold forward but not rearward of the planar surface of the middle section. Each section comprises a plurality of substantially parallel rigid spines, a plurality of substantially parallel rigid ribs, with the ribs being aligned at right angles to the spines, and elongated openings between the spines and ribs, the openings including a web therein.
The plate and tool are configured to permit the tool to be selectively joined to the plate at multiple locations along the plate. As such, the tool preferably comprises a t-handle and a fitting opposite the t-handle. The fitting includes an elongated distal component configured to fit through the openings, displacing the web, in a first orientation but not a second orientation.
The following figures form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present disclosure. The disclosure may be better understood by reference to one or more of these figures in combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments presented herein.
While the inventions disclosed herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, only a few specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The Figures and detailed descriptions of these specific embodiments are not intended to limit the breadth or scope of the inventive concepts or the appended claims in any manner. Rather, the figures and detailed written descriptions are provided to illustrate the inventive concepts to a person of ordinary skill in the art and to enable such person to make and use the inventive concepts.
The Figures described above and the written description of specific structures and functions below are not presented to limit the scope of what Applicant has invented or the scope of the appended claims. Rather, the Figures and written description are provided to teach any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention for which patent protection is sought.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all features of a commercial embodiment of the invention are described or shown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Persons of skill in this art will also appreciate that the development of an actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present invention will require numerous implementation-specific decisions to achieve the developer's ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment. Such implementation-specific decisions may include, and likely are not limited to, compliance with system-related, business-related, government-related, and other constraints, which may vary by specific implementation, location and from time to time. While a developer's efforts might be complex and time-consuming in an absolute sense, such efforts would be, nevertheless, a routine undertaking for those of skill in this art having benefit of this disclosure.
It must be understood that the inventions disclosed and taught herein are susceptible to numerous and various modifications and alternative forms. Lastly, the use of a singular term, such as, but not limited to, “a,” is not intended as limiting of the number of items. Also, the use of relational terms, such as, but not limited to, “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” “down,” “up,” “side,” and the like are used in the written description for clarity in specific reference to the Figures and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the appended claims.
The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “coupling,” “coupler,” and like terms are used broadly herein and can include any method or device for securing, binding, bonding, fastening, attaching, joining, inserting therein, forming thereon or therein, communicating, or otherwise associating, for example, mechanically, magnetically, electrically, chemically, operably, directly or indirectly with intermediate elements, one or more pieces of members together and can further include without limitation integrally forming one functional member with another in a unity fashion. The coupling can occur in any direction, including rotationally. The term “substantially parallel,” as used throughout the disclosure, can be defined as an angle that deviates no more than ten degrees from a parallel configuration.
Turning to the drawings and, in particular to
Turning to
Referring to
More specifically, as best shown in
For example, the hinges 212 may cooperate with one of more of the spines 214 to permit the left and right sections 202,204 to fold forward but not rearward of the planar surface 208 of the middle section 206, as discussed above. More specifically, as shown in
It can be seen that there are openings 218 between the spines 214, and the ribs 216 of the sections 202,204,206. These openings 218 are preferably elongated. In the preferred embodiment shown, the openings 218 are rectangular, but may be oval or another shape, the function of which will become apparent upon further reading of this disclosure. It can also be seen that these openings 218 are preferably spanned by a web structure 220. In any case, as shown, the backer plate 200, including the sections 202,204,206, the hinges 212, the spines 214, the ribs 216, and the webs 220 are preferably integrally molded as a single unitary continuous structure.
Referring also to
As shown in
In use, referring also to
If desired, the user can pre-bend the hinges 212, as shown in
As shown in
Next, as shown in
As shown in
The tool 300 is then pulled away from the hole 400, as shown in
In the configuration shown in
To aid in ensuring a consistent bond between the adhesive 222 and the inner surface of the wall 402 around the periphery of the face 210 of the plate 200, the tool 300 joined to the plate 200 at multiple locations along the plate 200. Specifically, the user preferably rotates the tool 300 from the second orientation, wherein the tool 300 is locked within the opening, back to the first orientation (or 180 degrees from the first orientation), wherein the tool 300 may be disengaged from the plate 200. With the distal component 308 of the fitting 306 aligned with the opening 218, the user pulls on the tool 300, thereby separating the tool 300 from the plate 200. Then, the user preferably joins the tool 300 to the plate 200 by pressing the distal component 308 of the fitting 306 through another, different second opening 218 offset from the center of the face 210 of the backer plate 200, displacing the web 220 in that second opening 218. The user then rotates the tool 300 to capture the plate 200 between the distal component 308 and proximal component 310 of the fitting 306, thereby joining the tool 300 to the plate 200 at a second location along the plate 200. The user then pulls the tool 300 to apply pressure closer to the periphery of the face 210 of the plate 200.
The user preferably does this, i.e. release the tool 300 from the plate 200, rejoin the tool 300 to the plate 200 at several locations around the plate 200, and then pull the face 210 of the plate 200 outward with the tool 300 thereby squeezing the adhesive between the face 210 and the inner surface of the wall, at several locations around the plate 200 in order to ensure a consistent bond between the adhesive 222 and the inner surface of the wall 402 around the periphery of the face 210 of the plate 200. For example,
While some components may be formed integrally, others may be formed separately and otherwise coupled together, which may include the use of fasteners, such as screws, clips, brackets, adhesives, or other couplers, as will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill having the benefits of the present disclosure.
For purposes of clarity and understanding, one or more of these components may not be specifically described or shown while, nevertheless, being present in one or more embodiments of the invention, such as in a commercial embodiment, as will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
The order of steps can occur in a variety of sequences unless otherwise specifically limited. The various steps described herein can be omitted, combined with other steps, interlineated with the stated steps, and/or split into multiple steps. Similarly, elements have been described functionally and can be embodied as separate components or can be combined into components having multiple functions. Discussion of singular elements can include plural elements and vice-versa.
The inventions have been described in the context of preferred and other embodiments and not every embodiment of the invention has been described. Obvious modifications and alterations to the described embodiments are available to those of ordinary skill in the art. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention conceived of by the Applicants, but rather, in conformity with the patent laws, Applicants intend to fully protect all such modifications and improvements that come within the scope or range or equivalent of the following claims.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20180305942 A1 | Oct 2018 | US |
