WALL BACKING

Description

SUMMARY

The disclosure describes a backing board bracket. The backing board bracket includes a side plate, a front plate, a rear plate, a front gap plate and a rear gap plate. The side plate has inner and outer surfaces extending between first and second ends. The front plate is angled relative to the side plate and has inner and outer surfaces extending between a first end coupled with the first end of the side plate and a second end. The rear plate is angled relative to the side plate and has inner and outer surfaces extending between a first end coupled with the second end of the side plate and a second end. The front gap plate is angled relative to the front plate and has inner and outer surfaces extending between a first end coupled with the second end of the front plate and a second end. The rear gap plate is angled relative to the rear plate and has inner and outer surfaces extending between a first end coupled with the second end of the rear plate and a second end. A first flange extends from the outer surface of the side plate in a first direction and a second flange extends from the outer surface of the front gap plate in a second direction opposite the first direction. A first tab extends from the front gap plate second end towards the front plate inner surface and a second tab extends from the rear gap plate second end towards the rear plate inner surface.

The disclosure also describes another backing board bracket. The second backing board bracket includes a side plate, a front plate, a rear plate, a front gap plate and a rear gap plate. The side plate has inner and outer surfaces extending between first and second ends and is configured to contact a metal framing stud outside surface. The front plate has inner and outer surfaces extending between a first end coupled with the first end of the side plate and a second end and is configured to contact a metal framing stud front surface while the side plate contacts the metal framing stud outside surface. The rear plate has inner and outer surfaces extending between a first end coupled with the second end of the side plate and a second end and is configured to contact a metal framing stud rear surface while the side plate contacts the metal framing stud outside surface and the front plate contacts the metal framing stud front surface. The front gap plate has inner and outer surfaces extending between a first end coupled with the second end of the front plate and a second end and is configured to contact a metal framing stud forward flange, while the rear plate contacts the metal framing stud rear surface, the side plate contacts the metal framing stud outside surface and the front plate contacts the metal framing stud front surface. The rear gap plate has inner and outer surfaces extending between a first end coupled with the second end of the rear plate and a second end and is configured to contact a metal framing stud rearward flange while the front gap plate contacts the metal framing stud forward flange, the rear plate contacts the metal framing stud rear surface, the side plate contacts the metal framing stud outside surface and the front plate contacts the metal framing stud front surface. A first flange extends from the outer surface of the side plate in a first direction and a second flange extends from the outer surface of the front gap plate in a second direction opposite the first direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, example constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example backing clip.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the example backing clip of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of the example backing clip of FIGS. 1 & 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the example backing clip of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a left side view of the example backing clip of FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 6 illustrates a right side view of the example backing clip of FIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 7 illustrates a right side view of an example backing clip gripping a framing stud.

FIG. 8 illustrates a left side view of an example backing clip gripping a framing stud.

FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of a backing board supported on example backing clips gripping respective framing studs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and manners by which they may be implemented. Although the best mode of carrying out the present disclosure has been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practicing the present disclosure are also possible.

It should be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. Further, the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

Blocking or backing is often provided between framing or construction studs when a wall is being constructed so that the wall is reinforced where a resident, tenant or other occupant may desire to hang a heavy object from the wall. Known systems, apparatus and methods for backing or blocking between framing or construction studs require kerfing to accommodate the stud flanges as well as back-screwing to couple the backing or blocking with the framing or construction studs. These techniques are time-consuming.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a backing board bracket and associated methods suitable to provide mounting tabs for backing to be installed. Embodiments of the disclosure substantially eliminate, or at least partially address, problems in the prior art, enabling expeditious installation of backing board.

Additional aspects, advantages, features and objects of the disclosure will be made apparent from the drawings and the detailed description of the illustrative embodiments construed in conjunction with the appended claims that follow.

It will be appreciated that features of the disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate an example backing board bracket 1000. Backing board bracket 1000 includes a first or side plank or plate 1100, a second or front plank or plate 1200, a third or rear plank or plate 1300, a fourth or front gap plank or plate 1400 and a fifth or rear gap plank or plate 1500. Side plate 1100 has inner and outer surfaces 1110 and 1120 extending between first and second ends 1130 and 1140. A first flange 1150 extends from outer surface 1120 of side plate 1100 in a first direction. First flange 1150 may extend from side plate 1100 at a fillet 1151 and may further include a plurality of perforations 1156 each configured to receive a fastener such as a screw.

Front plate 1200 is angled relative to side plate 1100 and has inner (not visible) and outer 1220 surfaces extending between a first end 1230 coupled with first end 1130 of side plate 1100 and a second end 1240. Rear plate 1300 is angled relative to side plate 1100 and has inner 1310 and outer 1320 surfaces extending between a first end 1330 coupled with second end 1140 of side plate 1100 and a second end 1340.

Front gap plate 1400 is angled relative to front plate 1200 and has inner (not visible) and outer 1420 surfaces extending between a first end 1430 coupled with second end 1240 of front plate 1200 and a second end (not visible). Backing board bracket 1000 may further include a gap between side plate inner surface 1110 and the front gap plate inner surface (not visible) such that front gap plate 1400 is offset from front plate 1200.

A second flange 1450 extends from outer surface 1420 of front gap plate 1400 at a second end of the front gap plate. Second flange 1450 may extend in a second direction opposite the first direction. A heel 1451 may project from second flange 1450 towards rear gap plate 1500 and may further include a plurality of perforations 1456 each configured to receive a fastener such as a screw. First and second flanges 1150 and 1450 may be configured to provide a mounting surface for a backing board 3000 (FIG. 9)

A first tab 1460 extends from the inner surface of front gap plate 1400 at a second end towards the inner surface of front plate 1200. There may be a gap 1465 between front gap plate 1400 and first tab 1460. First tab 1460 may include a loop or eyelet 1461 distal from the second end of front gap plate 1400 and a thumb 1463 extending from eyelet 1461. First tab 1460 and the inner surface of front gap plate 1400 may be cooperatively configured to grip a first flange of a metal framing stud.

Front gap plate 1400 may contact a metal framing stud forward flange, while rear plate 1300 contacts the metal framing stud rear face, side plate 1100 contacts the metal framing stud outside face and front plate 1200 contacts the metal framing stud front face.

Rear gap plate 1500 is angled relative to rear plate 1300 and has inner and outer surfaces (not visible) extending between a first end 1530 coupled with second end 1340 of rear plate 1300 and a second end 1540. There may be a gap between side plate inner surface 1110 and the inner surface of rear gap plate 1500 such that the rear gap plate is offset from side plate 1100. There is a gap 1600 between front gap plate second end 1440 and rear gap plate second end 1540 so that a framing stud may be received therebetween.

Backing board bracket 1000 may be configured to wrap around a framing stud with side plate 1100 adjacent to stud outside face 2100 (FIGS. 7 & 8), front plate 1200 adjacent to stud front face 2200 and rear plate 1300 adjacent to the stud rear face (not visible). In this arrangement side plate 1100 may contact stud outside face 2100, front plate 1200 may contact stud front face 2200 and rear plate 1300 may contact stud rear face.

A second tab 1550 extends from the inner surface of rear gap plate 1500 at the second end towards inner surface 1310 of rear plate 1300. There may be a gap 1551 between rear gap plate 1500 and second tab 1550. Second tab 1550 and the inner surface of rear gap plate 1500 may be cooperatively configured to grip a second flange of a metal framing stud near stud inside face 2300.

A third tab 1560 may extend from second end 1540 of rear gap plate 1500 away from the outer surface of rear gap plate 1500. Backing board bracket 1000 may further include a gap 1566 between rear gap plate 1500 and third tab 1560. Third tab 1560 may further include a loop or eyelet 1561 distal from second end 1540 of rear gap plate 1500.

Rear gap plate 1500 may contact a metal framing stud rearward flange while front gap plate 1400 contacts the metal framing stud forward flange, rear plate 1300 contacts the metal framing stud rear surface, side plate 1100 contacts the metal framing stud outside surface and front plate 1200 contacts the metal framing stud front surface.

Elements of backing board bracket 1000 may be relatively flexible so that, for example, angles therebetween may be selectively, temporarily adjusted. In an example, side plate 1100 and front plate 1200 are relatively elastically deformable. In an example, side plate 1100 and rear plate 1300 are relatively elastically deformable. In an example, first tab 1460 and front gap plate 1400 are relatively elastically deformable. In an example, second tab 1550 and rear gap plate 1500 are relatively elastically deformable. In an example, third tab 1560 and rear gap plate 1500 are relatively elastically deformable.

Backing board bracket 1000 may further include, extending from a first edge to a second edge of side plate 1100, a plurality of voids or eyelets 1160 between inner and outer surfaces 1110 and 1120 of side plate 1100 adjacent to front plate 1200. Eyelets 1160 may contribute to increased flexibility between side plate 1100 and front plate 1200.

Backing board bracket 1000 and/or elements thereof such as side plate 1100, front plate 1200, rear plate 1300, front gap plate 1400, rear gap plate 1500, first flange 1150, second flange 1450, first tab 1460, second tab 1550 and third tab 1560 may be provided in any of a variety of dimensions suitable to enable backing board bracket 1000 to wrap around the surfaces of a framing or construction stud such as a metal stud 2000.

In an example, side plate 1100 measures approximately 3 ⅞ inches long, approximately 1 inch wide and approximately ⅛ inches thick. In an example, front plate 1200 may measure approximately 1 ½ inches long, approximately 1 inch wide and approximately ⅛ inches thick. In an example, rear plate 1300 measures approximately 1 ½ inches long, approximately 1 inch wide and approximately ⅛ inches thick. In an example, front gap plate 1400 measures approximately 1 ¼ inches long, approximately 1 inch wide and approximately ⅛ inches thick. In an example, rear gap plate 1500 measures approximately ⅝ inches long, approximately 1 inch wide and approximately ⅛ inches thick. In an example, first flange 1150 measures approximately ⅞ inches long and approximately 1 inch wide. In an example, second flange 1450 measures approximately ⅞ inches long and approximately 1 inch wide.

In an example, side plate inner surface 1110 measures approximately 3 ⅝ inches long. In an example, the inner surface of front plate 1200 measures approximately 1 ¼ inches long. In an example, inner surface 1310 of rear plate 1300 measures approximately 1 ¼ inches long.

Front plate 1200 may be angled relative to side plate 1100 at approximately 90 degrees, rear plate 1300 may angled relative to side plate 1100 at approximately 90 degrees, front gap plate 1400 may be angled relative to front plate 1200 at approximately 90 degrees and rear gap plate 1500 may be angled relative to rear plate 1400 at approximately 90 degrees.

Backing board bracket 1000 and/or elements thereof such as side plate 1100, front plate 1200, rear plate 1300, front gap plate 1400, rear gap plate 1500, first flange 1150, second flange 1450, first tab 1460, second tab 1550 and third tab 1560 may be formed by any of a variety of suitable techniques including but not limited to additive manufacturing such as 3D printing.

Backing board bracket 1000 and/or elements thereof such as side plate 1100, front plate 1200, rear plate 1300, front gap plate 1400, rear gap plate 1500, first flange 1150, second flange 1450, first tab 1460, second tab 1550 and third tab 1560 may be formed from any of a variety of resilient, durable materials including but not limited to various thermoplastic polyesters such as (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) PETG.

Disclosed backing board brackets may be suitable for use in any of a variety of methods for installing a backing board.

In an example method, a backing board bracket is wrapped around a 3-sided metal framing stud such that a rear plate of the backing board bracket is adjacent to a rear face of the framing stud and a rear gap plate of the backing board bracket is adjacent to a first flange of the metal framing stud rear face. The first flange of the 3-sided metal framing stud rear face is gripped between the rear gap plate and a rear inner tab and of the backing board bracket.

A side plate of the backing board bracket is wrapped around an outside face of the metal framing stud and a front plate of the backing board is wrapped around a front face of the metal framing stud such that a heel of a second flange slides past the front face and a flange of the front face as the side plate and the front plate are relatively elastically deformed. A second flange of the 3-sided metal framing stud front face is gripped between a front gap plate of the backing board bracket and a front inner tab of the backing board bracket.

In this arrangement, first and second flanges of the backing board bracket generally face forward and are approximately parallel with the front face of the metal framing stud.

The above process is repeated with one or more additional backing board brackets provided to the same 3-sided metal framing stud and/or a preceding or succeeding 3-sided metal framing stud. Then a backing board may be placed against the forward faces of the backing board bracket flanges so that it is flush with the front face(s) of the 3-sided metal framing studs and spans the spacing between adjacent 3-sided metal framing studs. Fasteners such as screws may then be driven through the backing board and through perforations in the backing board bracket flanges to secure the backing board in place leaving a reinforce section of wall suitable for mounting heavy objects.

Embodiments of the disclosure are susceptible to being used for various purposes, including, though not limited to, enabling users to quickly install backing board between framing studs to reinforce walls.

Modifications to embodiments of the disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”, “consisting of”, “have”, “is” used to describe and claim the disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.