Patent Application
20130019560
In installing wallboard, such as sheetrock drywall for example, onto studs, the wallboard end often meets an empty area between studs. Previously, the practice in dealing with this problem has been to cut the wallboard off at about mid stud, then piece the next wallboard against the first, and continue in this manner. This procedure is wasteful and time consuming. The present apparatus provides for the edges of two adjoining collinear wallboards to be joined, without regard to stud location, thereby saving time and product waste.
The wallboard edge clip apparatus relates to wallboard installation devices and more especially to an apparatus that provides for the edges of two adjoining collinear wallboards to be joined
The general purpose of the wallboard edge clip apparatus, described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a wallboard edge clip apparatus which has many novel features that result in an improved wallboard edge clip apparatus which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by prior art, either alone or in combination thereof.
To attain this, the wallboard edge clip apparatus provides for the edges of two adjoining collinear wallboards to be joined, without regard to stud location, thereby saving labor and material expense in wallboard use. Where previously wallboard had to be cut to align with a stud or the like, then fastened to the stud or other backing, the present apparatus allows for wallboard length retention, even though no stud or other backing material is immediately present. An adjoining wallboard is then joined immediately adjacent to the first. The apparatus requires no removable devices in installation and does not execute immediate bonding with wallboard. Rather, the apparatus is positioned as needed, whether in wallboard positioned vertically, horizontally, or at an angle, then fastened with existing wallboard fasteners as desired. The apparatus does not require removal after wallboard installation, another time saving feature.
The preferred front thickness of about 0.03 inches is important in that support of the abutting wallboards is provided at the same time that minimal invasion of interior surfaces is established. Usually the wallboard is covered with a coverage material, such as plaster for example. Minimal front thickness provides for minimal coverage material use and labor. Also important is that the front provides a plurality of small orifices so that coverage material bonds to the apparatus. The preferred rear thickness of about 0.05 inches is important as proper support of the abutting wallboards is provided. Various thicknesses of both front and rear are provided to meet a variety of needs in construction.
The preferred size of the front and rear may be important, although various sizes of the apparatus are provided. The preferred most frequently used size sees the front and rear with a total length of about 5.50 inches and a total width of about 3.13 inches. The length and width importantly provide for substantial support between wallboards while at the same time minimalizing distance between wallboards. The front and rear are spaced apart differently on the slightly differing first end and second end, with the first end first separation between front and rear of differing by about 0.08 inch less than the second end. The first and second separation distances may be provided to accommodate differing wallboard thickness, such as wallboards having ½ inch, ⅝ inch, and ¾ inch thicknesses. The first separation distance disposed between the front and back of the first end provides for slightly more automatic clamping and retention to a wallboard, a feature especially useful upon initial installation of the apparatus.
Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of the improved wallboard edge clip apparatus so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
An object of the wallboard edge clip apparatus is to save material costs.
An object of the wallboard edge clip apparatus is to save labor costs.
An object of the wallboard edge clip apparatus is to abut coplanar adjoining wallboards without regard to stud or other backing materials.
Another object of the wallboard edge clip apparatus is to be permanently installed.
A further object of the wallboard edge clip apparatus is to negate the use of any removable clips or other installation devices.
An added object of the wallboard edge clip apparatus is to be minimally invasive on interior walls.
And, an object of the wallboard edge clip apparatus is to provide for wall coverage material adhesion.
These together with additional objects, features and advantages of the improved wallboard edge clip apparatus will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the improved wallboard edge clip apparatus when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the improved wallboard edge clip apparatus in detail, it is to be understood that the wallboard edge clip apparatus is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept of this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the improved wallboard edge clip apparatus.
It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the wallboard edge clip apparatus. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular
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In use, the front 22 and rear 23 of the first end 24 are selectively installed on an existing wallboard. The front 22 and rear 23 of the second end 25 are selectively installed on an existing adjacent wallboard. The wallboards are abutted to the separator 50. The separator 50 has a separator thickness 52 of about 0.13 inch that importantly provides sufficiently rigid support between the front 22 and the rear 23 while simultaneously providing close abutment of adjacent wallboards.
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With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the wallboard edge clip apparatus, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the wallboard edge clip apparatus.
Directional terms such as “front”, “back”, “in”, “out”, “downward”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like may have been used in the description. These terms are applicable to the embodiments shown and described in conjunction with the drawings. These terms are merely used for the purpose of description in connection with the drawings and do not necessarily apply to the position in which the wallboard edge clip apparatus may be used.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the wallboard edge clip apparatus. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the wallboard edge clip apparatus to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the wallboard edge clip apparatus.
