TREA

Wall repair clip

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Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20040045245
  • Publication Number
    20040045245
  • Date Filed
    September 06, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Date Published
    March 11, 2004
    20 years ago
Information
Abstract
A clip is provided for securing of a patch to a wall, to repair the wall, where the clip has a patch securing section constructed and arranged to secure a peripheral portion of the patch and a wall securing section constructed and arranged to secure a peripheral portion of the wall. The wail securing section is joined to the patch securing section such that the patch and the wall are arranged substantially in a common plane when the patch is in a repaired position within the wall. In a preferred embodiment the patch securing section is coupled to a body section, the body section is coupled to the cap section, and the cap section is coupled to the wall securing section. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, all sections of the clip are created by a specific placement of bends in a continuous strip of material, such as a metal alloy. A method for use of the disclosed clip to repair a wall is provided.
Description


BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to clips used in repairs of damaged walls. Specifically, it relates to repairing of holes in walls made out of solid material such as granite, where a repair clip is used to secure a patch into the hole.

[0002] A number of different clips used in repairs of damaged walls are known. One such clip is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,217 granted to DiGate. This patent provides for a clip having gripping members to hold on to a patch and then for insertion of the clip and the patch into the hole in the wall, where the body of the clip is positioned between the wall and the patch. To prevent falling out of the clip from the wall, this clip has spurs projecting from the body of the clip, where the spurs engage the sides of the wall. In another patent granted to DiGarte (U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,986), the repair clip essentially has gripping members for securing of both the patch and the wall. These patents are specifically aimed at providing of a clip to be used in repairs of wallboard panels.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,723, granted to Weber discloses another wallboard repair clip. This clip has means for securing to the wall but does not, in itself, have means for securing to the patch. Instead, a paper flap is plastered over the wall and the patch to secure the patch to the wall.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,178,730, granted to Rowinski discloses a clip having gripping members to secure the clip to the wall. However, it does not have means for securing of the clip to the patch.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,995,404, granted to Thaw et al., discloses another clip having gripping members for attaching of the clip to the wall and an opposing retaining support member for securing of the clip to the patch.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,152,817, granted to Green, discloses a wire clip having means to secure to the wall. This clip has no means for securing to the patch and instead, plaster is used to secure the patch to the wall.

[0007] However, none of the prior art wall repair clips have the capability to secure to both the wall and the patch in the manner described herein. The novel disclosed clip secures to both the wall and the patch, where the patch is firmly secured within the wall.

[0008] What is needed is a wall repair clip having capability to secure to the wall and to the patch and to do so without creating any significant obstruction on the wall after the wall is repaired.


SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0009] A novel wall repair clip is provided. The clip has a patch securing section constructed and arranged to secure a peripheral portion of the patch. The clip also has a wall securing section constructed and arranged to secure a peripheral portion of the wall. The wall securing section is joined to the patch securing section such that the patch and the wall are arranged substantially in a common plane when the patch is in a repaired position within the wall.

[0010] The patch securing section could be constructed and arranged to perforate the peripheral portion of the patch. Similarly, the wall securing section could be constructed and arranged to perforate the peripheral portion of the wall.

[0011] In one embodiment, the clip has a body section, a patch securing section extending from a patch side of the body section. The clip also has a cap section coupled to the body section, which cap section aids in proper alignment of the patch and the wall. A wall securing section extends from the cap section.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the clip, all sections of the clip the patch securing section, the body section, the cap section, and the wall securing section are created by a specific placement of bends in a continuous strip of material, such as a metal alloy. The patch securing section is embodied in two patch securing prongs, while the wall securing section is embodied in two wall securing prongs. This embodiment is easy to manufacture from pre-cut strips of material by simply bending each strip of material to achieve the desired clip configuration.

[0013] A method of use of the disclosed clip to repair a wall involves smoothing out of the peripheral portion of the wall, which peripheral portion surrounds the hole. Next, a patch sized to fit into the smoothed out hole is made. Then, a patch securing section of the clip is secured to the peripheral portion of the patch. It is preferred to use more than one clip for ensuring of greater stability of the patch within the repaired wall. Lastly, the patch, with clips secured to it, is inserted into the hole while securing the wall securing sections of the clips to the peripheral portion of the wall.

[0014] Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a clip to be used in repairs of walls.

[0015] It is anther object of the present invention to provide a clip having sections for securing to both the wall and the patch.

[0016] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method for use of the disclosed clip in repairs of walls.

[0017] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.






BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018]
FIG. 1 depicts a damaged wall having a hole in it;

[0019]
FIG. 2 depicts a damaged wall with smoothed out hole and shows a patch for insertion into the hole;

[0020]
FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of a wall repair clip;

[0021]
FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of the wall repair clip;

[0022]
FIG. 5 is a right side view of an embodiment of the wall repair clip;

[0023]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the wall repair clip;

[0024]
FIG. 7 is a side view of wall repair clips secured to a patch, with the patch positioned over a hole in the wall.

[0025]
FIG. 8 is a side view of wall repair clips secured to a patch, with the patch positioned into a hole in the wall, and with wall repair clips secured to the wall;

[0026]
FIG. 9 is a top view of wall repair clips secured to a patch, with the patch positioned into a hole in the wall, and with wall repair clips secured to the wall;

[0027]
FIG. 10 is a top view of one preferred embodiment of a wall repair clip;

[0028]
FIG. 11 is a front view of one preferred embodiment of the wall repair clip;

[0029]
FIG. 12 is a right side view of one preferred embodiment of the wall repair clip.






DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] This invention is aimed at repairing of holes or other types of damage in walls constructed from solid material such as granite. A damaged wall 50 is depicted in FIG. 1. The wall 50 has a hole 70 and it is desirable to repair the wall 50. The disclosed method of repair of the wall 50 consists of smoothing out of a peripheral portion 51 of the wall 50, which peripheral portion 51 surrounds the hole 70. The smoothed out peripheral portion 51 of the wall 50 is depicted in FIG. 2. Next, a patch 30 is cut out to fit the shape and size of the hole 70. The patch 30 is cut out from a material that is same or similar to that of the wall 50. The last two steps, described in greater detail below, involve securing of clips to the peripheral portion 31 of the patch 30 and then inserting of the patch 30 into the hole 70while securing clips to the peripheral portion 51 of the wall 50. These steps could be seen in FIGS. 7-9, while FIGS. 3-6, and FIGS. 10-12 depict the clip 1.

[0031] The clip 1 has at least one patch securing section 2 constructed and arranged to secure a peripheral portion 31 of the patch 30. The clip 1 also has at least one wall securing section 3 constructed and arranged to secure a peripheral portion 57 of the wall 50. In the clip 1, the wall securing section 3 is joined to the patch securing section 2 such that the patch 30 and the wall 50 are arranged substantially in a common plane when the patch 30 is in a repaired position within the wall, as shown in FIG. 8. For example, in FIGS. 3-8 and FIGS. 10-12, the wall securing section 3 is joined to the patch securing section 2 via a body section 4 and a cap section 14, where the body section 4 is coupled to the cap section 14.

[0032] In order to secure the clip 1 to the patch 30, the patch securing section 2 could be constructed and arranged to perforate the peripheral portion 31 of the patch 30 as shown in FIGS. 3-8, and FIGS. 10-12. Similarly, in order to secure the clip 1 to the wall 50, the wall securing section 3 could be constructed and arranged to perforate the peripheral portion 57 of the wall 50 as shown in FIGS. 3-8, and FIGS. 70-12.

[0033] One embodiment of the clip 1 is shown in various views in FIGS. 3-6. The clip 7 has a body section 4, having a patch side Sand a wall side 6, wherein the patch side 5 is positioned against the patch 30 and the wall side 5 is positioned against the wall 50 when the wall 50 is repaired. The body section 4 also has an upper end 7, a lower end 8, and an intermediate part 9.

[0034] The clip 7 has at least one patch securing section 2 extending from the patch side 5 of the body section 4. The patch securing section 2 is used for securing of the clip to the patch 30 as depicted in FIGS. 7-9. Here, the securing of the clip 1 to the patch 30 is accomplished by perforating of the patch 30 with the patch securing section 2.

[0035] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-6, the patch securing section 2 extends from the intermediate part 9 of the patch side 5 of the body section 4 at substantially right angle in relation to a longitudinal axis 10 of the body section 4. The patch securing section 2 has a first end 17 and a second end 12, wherein the first end 17 of the patch securing section 2 is coupled to the body section 4 and the second end 12 of the patch securing section 2 has a sharp edge 13.

[0036] Furthermore, the embodiment of FIGS. 3-6 has at least one cap section 14, having a top side 15 and a bottom side 16, with the upper end 7 of the body section 4 extending from the bottom side 16 of the cap section 14. The cap section 14 also has a patch end 17, an intermediate part 78, and a wall end 79, wherein the patch end 17 is positioned over the patch 30 and the wall end 79 is positioned over the wall 50 when the wall 50 is repaired, and wherein the body section 4 extends from the intermediate part 78 of the bottom side 16 of the cap section 14.

[0037] The cap section 14 aids in proper alignment of the patch 30 and the wall 50. As shown in FIG. 8, the cap section 14 ensures that the patch 30 and the wall 50 are arranged substantially in a common plane when the patch 30 is in a repaired position within the wall 50. It is preferred for the cap section 14 to be positioned at substantially right angle in relation to a longitudinal axis 10 of the body section 4.

[0038] The body section 4, together with the cap section 14, join the patch securing section 2 to the wall securing section 3. At least one wall securing section 3 extends from the bottom side 16 of the cap section 14. The wall securing section 3 is used for securing of the clip 1 to the wall 50 as shown in FIGS. 8-9.

[0039] The wall securing section 3 extends from the cap section 14, from the wall end 19 of the bottom side 16 of the cap section 14 at substantially right angle in relation to a longitudinal axis 60 of the cap section 14, as shown in FIGS. 4, 6-8. The wall securing section 3 has a first end 20 and a second end 21, wherein the first end 20 of the wall securing section 3 is coupled to the cap section 14 and the second end 21 of the wall securing section 3 has a sharp edge 22.

[0040] One preferred embodiment of the clip 1 is shown in various views in FIGS. 10-12. In this embodiment, all sections of the clip 7 the patch securing section 2, the body section 4, the cap section 14, and the wall securing section 3 are created by a specific placement of bends in a continuous strip of material, such as a metal alloy. The patch securing section 2 is embodied in two patch securing prongs 80, while the wall securing section 3 is embodied in two wall securing prongs 90. This embodiment is easy to manufacture from pre-cut strips of material by simply bending each strip of material to achieve the desired clip 1 configuration shown in FIGS. 10-12.

[0041] The application of clips 7 to repair the wall 50 is shown in FIGS. 1-2 and FIGS. 7-9. As stated earlier, the damaged wall 50 is depicted in FIG. 1 . The wall 50 has a hole 70 and it is desirable to repair the wall 50. The method of repair of the wall 50 involves smoothing out of the peripheral portion 57 of the wall 50, which peripheral portion 51 surrounds the hole 70. The smoothed out peripheral portion 51 of the wall 50 is depicted in FIG. 2.

[0042] Next, a patch 30 is cut out to fit the shape and size of the hole 70. The patch 30 is cut out from a material that is same or similar to that of the wall 50. At this point, a patch securing section 2 of the clip 1 is secured to the peripheral portion 31 of the patch 30, as shown in FIG. 7. Referring to embodiment of the clip 1 shown in FIGS. 3-6, and FIGS. 10-12, it is desirable to position the patch end 17 of the cap section 14 at a plane of a front surface 32 of the patch 30, whereby the bottom side 16 of the patch end 17 of the cap section 14 is positioned flush against the front surface 32 of the patch 30 when the patch securing section 2 of the clip 1 is secured to the peripheral portion 3/ of the patch 30, as shown in FIGS. 7-9.

[0043] It is preferred to use more than one clip 1 for ensuring of greater stability of the patch 30within the repaired wall 50. For example, a patch 30 secured to the wall 50 with four clips 1 is shown in FIG. 9. Using the embodiments of FIGS. 3-6 and FIGS. 1012, the patch securing section 2 of the clip 7 is driven into the peripheral portion 31 of the patch 30, since here, the patch securing section 2 is constructed and arranged to perforate the patch 30.

[0044] Lastly, the patch 30, with clips 1 secured to it, is inserted into the hole 70 while securing the wall securing sections 3 of the clips 7 to the peripheral portion 51 of the wall 50, as shown in FIGS. 8 & 9. Using the embodiments of FIGS. 3-6 and FIGS. 1012, the wall securing section 3 of the clip 1 is driven into the peripheral portion 57 of the wall 50. This method is facilitated by the fact that the wall securing section 3 is constructed and arranged to perforate the wall 50.

[0045] It will be further understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims
  • 1. A clip for securing a patch to a wall, to repair the wall, the clip comprising: at least one patch securing section constructed and arranged to secure a peripheral portion of the patch; at least one wall securing section constructed and arranged to secure a peripheral portion of the wall, the wall securing section joined to the patch securing section such that the patch and the wall are arranged substantially in a common plane when the patch is in a repaired position within the wall.
  • 2. The clip of claim 1, wherein: the patch securing section is constructed and arranged to perforate the peripheral portion of the patch.
  • 3. The clip of claim 1, wherein: the wall securing section is constructed and arranged to perforate the peripheral portion of the wall.
  • 4. The clip of claim 1, further comprising: a body section, having a patch side and a wall side, wherein the patch side is positioned against the patch and the wall side is positioned against the wall when the wall is repaired, and having an upper end, a lower end, and an intermediate part, wherein the body section joins the wall securing section to the patch securing section.
  • 5. The clip of claim 4, wherein: the patch securing section extends from the patch side of the body section.
  • 6. The clip of claim 4, wherein: the patch securing section extends from the intermediate part of the patch side of the body section.
  • 7. The clip of claim 4, wherein: the patch securing section has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the patch securing section is coupled to the patch side of the body section and the second end of the patch securing section has a sharp edge, and wherein the patch securing section extends from the patch side of the body section at substantially right angle in relation to a longitudinal axis of the body section.
  • 8. The clip of claim 4, further comprising: at least one cap section, having a top side and a bottom side, wherein the upper end of the body section is coupled to the bottom side of the cap section so that the body section extends from the bottom side of the cap section, wherein the cap section is positioned at substantially right angle in relation to a longitudinal axis of the body section, and wherein the wall securing section extends from the bottom side of the cap section, whereby the body section is joined to the wall securing section via the cap section.
  • 9. The clip of claim 8 wherein: the cap section has a patch end, an intermediate part, and a wall end, wherein the patch end is positioned over the patch and the wall end is positioned over the wall when the wall is repaired, and wherein the body section extends from the intermediate part of the bottom side of the cap section.
  • 10. The clip of claim 9, wherein: the wall securing section extends from the wall end of the bottom side of the cap section at substantially right angle in relation to a longitudinal axis of the cap section, with the wall section having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the wall securing section is coupled to the wall end of the cap section and the second end of the wall securing section has a sharp edge.
  • 11. A clip for securing a patch to a wall, to repair the wall, the clip comprising: a body section, having a patch side and a wall side, wherein the patch side is positioned against the patch and the wall side is positioned against the wall when the wall is repaired, and having an upper end, a lower end, and an intermediate part; at least one patch securing section extending from the patch side of the body section, whereby the patch securing section is used for securing of the clip to the patch; at least one cap section, having a top side and a bottom side, wherein the upper end of the body section is coupled to the bottom side of the cap section so that the body section extends from the bottom side of the cap section, and at least one wall securing section extending from the bottom side of the cap section, whereby the wall securing section is used for securing of the clip to the wall.
  • 12. The clip of claim 11, wherein: the patch securing section extends from the intermediate part of the patch side of the body section.
  • 13. The clip of claim 11, wherein: the patch securing section has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the patch securing section is coupled to the patch side of the body section and the second end of the patch securing section has a sharp edge, and wherein the patch securing section extends from the patch side of the body section at substantially right angle in relation to a longitudinal axis of the body section.
  • 14. The clip of claim 11, wherein: the cap section is positioned at substantially right angle in relation to a longitudinal axis of the body section.
  • 15. The clip of claim 11, wherein: the cap section has a patch end, an intermediate part, and a wall end, wherein the patch end is positioned over the patch and the wall end is positioned over the wall when the wall is repaired, and wherein the upper end of the body section is coupled to the intermediate part of the bottom side of the cap section.
  • 16. The clip of claim 15, wherein: the wall securing section extends from the wall end of the bottom side of the cap section at substantially right angle in relation to a longitudinal axis of the cap section, wherein the wall securing section has a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end of the wall securing section is coupled to the wall end of the cap section and the second end of the wall securing section has a sharp edge.
  • 17. A method of repair of a wall using a clip comprising: at least one patch securing section constructed and arranged to secure a peripheral portion of the patch; at least one wall securing section constructed and arranged to secure a peripheral portion of the wall, the wall securing section joined to the patch securing section such that the patch and the wall are arranged substantially in a common plane when the patch is in a repaired position within the wall; said method comprising: (a) preparing a patch, wherein the patch is sized to be placed within the wall to repair a hole in the wall; (b) smoothing out of a peripheral portion of the wall, where the peripheral portion of the wall surrounds a hole positioned in the wall; (c) securing the patch securing section of at least one clip to the peripheral portion of the patch; (d) inserting of the patch into the hole in the wall; (e) securing the wall securing section of said at least one clip to the peripheral portion of the wall.
  • 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: the patch securing section is constructed and arranged to perforate the peripheral portion of the patch.
  • 19. The method according to claim 17, wherein: the wall securing section is constructed and arranged to perforate the peripheral portion of the wall.
  • 20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the clips is further comprised of: a body section, having a patch side and a wall side, wherein the patch side is positioned against the patch and the wall side is positioned against the wall when the wall is repaired, and having an upper end, a lower end, and an intermediate part, wherein the patch securing section extends from the patch side of the body section; at least one cap section, having a top side and a bottom side, and having a patch end, an intermediate part, and a wall end, wherein the patch end is positioned over the patch and the wall end is positioned over the wall when the wall is repaired wherein the upper end of the body section is coupled to the bottom side of the cap section so that the body section extends from the bottom side of the cap section, and wherein the wall securing section extends from the wall end of the bottom side of the cap section; and said step (c) further comprises: positioning of the patch end of the cap section at a plane of a front surface of the patch, whereby the bottom side of the patch end of the cap section is positioned flush against the front surface of the patch when the patch securing section of at least one clip is secured to the peripheral portion of the patch.