US3717970A

US3717970A - Wallboard repair device

Info

Publication number: US3717970A
Application number: US00052918A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Rosenblum
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-07-07
Filing date: 1970-07-07
Publication date: 1973-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 1990-02-27

Abstract

A repair device for patching holes in wallboard, plaster walls and other wall material which require plaster or composition materials in order to become patched. The device provides support for said patching materials and can be adapted to fit any size or shape hole which occurs. The device comprises two slidably connected pieces that can be locked together to form a flat, recessed backing support that is inserted into a trimmed hole in the wall.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Rosenblum 51 Feb. 27, 1973 WALLBOARD REPAIR DEVICE 21 Appl. No.: 52,918

1,412,736 4/1922 Hamilton ..52/3l7 1,947,954 2/1934 Piland ..52/317 3,295,285 l/l967 Metz ..52/514 Primary ExaminerAlfred C. Perham Attorney-N. Elton Dry [57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl ..52/5l4, 52/632 A repair device for patching holes in wanboard, [51] 1131. CL 37/00 plaster walls and other n material which require [58] Feld Search "52/317, 248/57 plaster or composition materials in order to become 248/2116 patched. The device provides support for said patching materials and can be adapted to fit any size [56] References cued or shape hole which occurs. The device comprises two UNITED STATES PATENTS slidably connected pieces that can be locked together to form a flat, recessed backing support that is 1n- 3,l04,087 9/1963 Budnick et al ..248[216 X serted into a trimmed hole in the wall. 3,163,386 12/1964 Collins 2,598,194 5/1952 Shippey ..52/514 5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures l8 I7 I) I70 X L T::.-

I l4 3 l l l l -----T -t:::.:::::::

PATENTED 3.717. 970

W J ROSENBLUM mvewron WWW A T TORWEY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a new and useful device for patching holes in wallboard or plaster walls.

2. Description of the Prior Art wallboard, sometimes called Sheetrock, is a common wall covering in homes and buildings. This materia1 is nailed directly onto the wall studs, which leaves a four (4) inch space between wall surfaces.

The wallboard material is somewhat susceptible to holes being punched or knocked therein. Balls, sticks, furniture and other objects commonly cause holes in these types of walls. If a repair is attempted, the patching material falls into the space between the walls, practically ruling out this type repair. Old newspapers, rags and the like have been used to attempt a suitable backing for the patching compound. All of these methods have proved to be unsuitable.

Usually, wall repair can be made only by cutting out a large section of the wall and byreplacing the whole panel. This procedure entails the use of professional craftsmen and is done at great expense.

The present invention can be used by the home owner and at little expense. In addition, the repair can be accomplished with little difficulty and in a few minutes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a wallboard repair device for insertion in a hole that has been punched in said wallboard to provide a support for plaster or other composition with which the hole is filled and repaired. The device comprises two slidably connected pieces that can be locked together to form a flat recessed support which is insertable in a hole located in wallboard or other wall covering material. The device comprises two slidably connected pieces,

each piece being relatively flat, having at the outer ends thereof means for securing the device fixedly in a hole, shaped to receive the device, occuring in wallboard or other wall composition, the device having means for adjusting the overall length of same and for securing the two piecesin the adjusted and extended length.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

, FIG. 1 is a plan view of the wallboard repair device illustrating the two pieces slidably connected and opened to extend the overall length thereof;

FIG. 2 is a transverse, horizontal view of the device wherein the two pieces have been opened out and locked together by means of -a nut and bolt;

FIG. 3 is a transverse, end view of the locking piece illustrating the slide-receivers on the bottom thereof;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of wall covering material with the repair device in place in a hole in the wall covering, with the two pieces extended and locked in place; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the repair device having other than an essentially rectangular shape.

, 2 In the drawings, the numeral 10 designates the repair device, having two slidably connected

pieces

11 and 12, with piece 12 being engaged in slide-receivers 18,

as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. Piece 12 can be extended to any suitable extent necessary to fill the hole 20 being repaired, with the repair device 10, as shown in FIG. 4. The hole 20 in the wall covering material 19 can then be filled with plaster or other suitable composition.

In a preferred embodiment, the repair device 10 has located at the outer ends thereof means 17 and 17a for securing the device 10 in the hole 20 being repaired. Preferably, the securing means 17 and 17a are located on slightly raised

members

15 and 16 extending upwardly from the outer ends of

pieces

11 and 12. This provides a method for recessing repair device 10 into the wallboard, affordingmore space for receiving the patching compound.

The repair device 10 may be extended or contracted by sliding the two

pieces

11 and 12 upon the securing means 14, which is commonly a nut and bolt, by means the slot 13. This arrangement allows the repair device 10 to be adjusted to fit a variety of hole sizes. In addition, the repair device 10 may be manufactured in several convenient widths to provide a proper selection of. dimensions for the do-it-yourself consumer public. In addition, the

pieces

11 and 12 may be perforated as well as unperforated.

FIG. 5 shows a repair device 21 having other than an essentially rectangular configuration, such as illustrated in FIG. '1. These repairdevices may be made from plastic, wood,.metal or screen material. Repair devices from screen or metal have been found to be most suitable in actual testing. One of the most suitable uses has been found to be in repairing wallboard.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the wallboard 19 has had a hole 20 punched therein. The hole 20 is shaped to receive the repair device 10, which has been extended and locked in place by means of the nut and bolt 14. To complete the repair, plaster or other patching compound is filled into the hole 20 and smoothed up to provide a flat, smooth surface which can be painted over to completely hide the repair job.

These wallboard materials are sometimes referred to as Sheet rock. It is for the repair of this Sheet rock that the invention is most suitably directed. The sizes of Sheet rock found most acceptable for repair with the present invention, are sheets having thicknesses of from three-eights to three-fourths inch. It has been found that the

verticle members

15 and 16, as shown in FIG. 1, enables the repairer to slightly recess the device 10 in the hole, affording more space in which to place the patching compound.

For use in applications other than sheet rock, it may be necessary to employ other securing means 17 and 17a. Friction configurations or other means may be necessary when the device 10 is used in repairing plaster walls, since the plaster is extremely hard. In addition, other modifications and special configurations are possible to fit particular applications, all of which are deemed to be encompassed by this present invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A wallboard repair device, for insertion in holes occurring therein, for providing backing support for patching compound which comprises two laterally slidable, connected pieces, forming an essentially oval configuration, each piece being relatively flat, having means integrally formed at the ends of each piece, in a space parallel relation to said pieces, for securing the repair device fixedly in said hole whereby the main surface of the repair device lies in a generally space parallel relation to said wallboard, the device having means for adjusting the overall length of same and a nut and bolt arrangement for securing the two pieces in the adjusted and extended length.

2. The repair device of claim 1, wherein the two laterally slidable, connected pieces form a generally rectangular configuration and are made from screenlike material.

3. The repair device of claim 1, wherein the two laterally slidable, connected pieces form a generally rectangular configuration and are made from plastic.

4. The repair device of claim 1, wherein the two laterally slidable, connected pieces are made from a screen-like material.

5. The repair device of claim 1, wherein the two laterally slidable, connected pieces are made from plastic.

Claims

1. A wallboard repair device, for insertion in holes occurring therein, for providing backing support for patching compound which comprises two laterally slidable, connected pieces, forming an essentially oval configuration, each piece being relatively flat, having means integrally formed at the ends of each piece, in a space parallel relation to said pieces, for securing the repair device fixedly in said hole whereby the main surface of the repair device lies in a generally space parallel relation to said wallboard, the device having means for adjusting the overall length of same and a nut and bolt arrangement for securing the two pieces in the adjusted and extended length.

2. The Repair device of claim 1, wherein the two laterally slidable, connected pieces form a generally rectangular configuration and are made from screen-like material.