초록 ▼

Construction methods and clip apparatus for joining or repairing wall or ceiling panels such as sheet rock, gypsum boards, plywood, or other generally planar wall panels. The clip is enables permanent edgewise joining of wallboard panels, ceiling panels, or the like at any desired position along the

Construction methods and clip apparatus for joining or repairing wall or ceiling panels such as sheet rock, gypsum boards, plywood, or other generally planar wall panels. The clip is enables permanent edgewise joining of wallboard panels, ceiling panels, or the like at any desired position along the length of the wall frame or ceiling framework independent of framing back- up studs or joists. A plurality of metallic clips unite to provide an edgewise mechanical bond between adjacent panel edges by creating an artificial backing in wall regions having no studs or support columns. A preferred clip comprises a generally planar, elongated body having a pair of parallel reinforcement grooves, and body is preferably stamped from metal stock and selectively perforated. A pair of integral, spaced apart, prong-like spring tab structures formed on opposite sides of the clip body initially grasp the edges of a panel. Each spring tab includes an integral, upwardly extending vertical portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to the body and an integral, arcuate, substantially horizontal flange portion. The flange portion is separated from its vertical companion by a weakened, scored tear edge which permits manual removal of the flange by appropriate bending after clip installation. The spring tabs project toward the clip front to maximize the working area of the clip body available for fastening to the second or later panels. A pair of opposing riser wings extend upwardly from either side of the front body portion. When installed, the wallboard paneel is contacted by the riser wings and retained at an angular disposition relative to the next adjacent panel, to insure a smooth, gap-free seam.

대표청구항 ▼

A construction method for securely coupling together adjacent panels of gypsum board, sheet rock, masonite, insulation board, plywood or the like, which panels having abutting finished edges which, during wall assembly, terminate at random positions spaced apart from the wall studs, support columns

A construction method for securely coupling together adjacent panels of gypsum board, sheet rock, masonite, insulation board, plywood or the like, which panels having abutting finished edges which, during wall assembly, terminate at random positions spaced apart from the wall studs, support columns or the like, said method comprising the steps of: conventionally installing a first panel upon and between spaced apart studs or vertical support columns during assembly with an exposed edge of said first panel randomly positioned apart from the nearest stud or vertical support column over a hollow region of the wall structure; applying at least one clip to the exposed, finished panel edge to prepare said first panel for coupling to a second panel finished edge, each of said clips comprising: a generally rectangular and planar, perforated body portion adapted to be blindly penetrated by a self tapping screw, said body portion having a length greater than the thickness of said panel(s), a front, a rear, and a pair of spaced apart sides; prong-like spring tab means integrally projecting forwardly from said clip body portion at said spaced-apart sides thereof, each of said spring tab means including a vertical portion generally perpendicular to said clip body portion and an integral offset horizontal flange portion oriented generally parallel with said clip body portion adapted to readily frictionally grasp a finished edge of a panel to sandwich same against said clip body; said spring tab flange portions spaced apart from said clip body portion a distance approximately equal to or less than the thickness of said panel; installing a fastener through said first panel substantially within a region defined between said spring tab means horizontal portions so as to penetratingly engage said clip body in a substantially random position thus permanently affixing said at least one clip to said first panel; positioning a second panel having an exposed finished edge immediately adjacent to the exposed finished edge of said first panel over exposed planar portions of said at least one clip with said finished edges of said panels substantially abutting one another; installing another fastener through said second panel immediately adjacent said spring tab means horizontal portions so as to permanently couple said second panel to said at least one clip body portion whereby said first and second panels are coupled together along their exposed finished edges and the panels are at least temporarily slightly angulated relative to one another by the clip with the clip forming the sole backup structure for the adjacent panels without additional mechanical linkage to a stud, support column or the like; and, thereafter manually removing said horizontal flange portions of said spring tab means by bending them until breakage occurs along a predefined scored junction, whereby to ultimately construct an unobstructed wall surface for subsequent finishing.