Abstract:
A device for stabilizing a sheet material to a stud member includes two side members that sandwich the stud member and a back member joining the two side members together. One or more protrusions may extend inward from one or both of the side members so that the device is frictionally fit and secured to the stud member. A shelf extends away and outward from the back member so that the sheet material can be placed on the shelf before the sheet member is fastened to the stud member. The device can include an angled portion at the bottom of the back member so that a hammer can apply a force to the angled portion to cause the device to move away from the stud member for removal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
       [0001]    One or more embodiments of the invention relates generally to construction tools. More particularly, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for supporting sheeting materials through the use of an easily removable sheeting holder that can be removably attached to a wall stud, for example. 
       2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information 
       [0002]    The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. 
         [0003]    Sheet materials (also referred to as sheathing), such as drywall and Sheetrock®, plywood, pressboard, plasterboard, cement board, and the like, are commonly used in residential, commercial and industrial buildings for covering walls or ceilings. The sheets are manufactured in standard sizes, such as 4 by 8 feet or 4 by 12 feet, for example. Due to the size and weight of these sheet materials, fastening of the sheets to horizontal, vertical, or angular studs, joists, rafters or trusses can be tiring and awkward, especially when only one or two installers are on the job site. 
         [0004]    Various devices have been used to temporarily support the sheet materials before attaching them to the underlying structures such as wall studs or roof rafters. These devices usually are designed to allow one installer to do the job. Many though are cumbersome and expensive. Others require the use of separate nails or screws to attach them. 
         [0005]    Typically, “dead man” braces, panel lifts or jacks, clamps, clips, and so-called “cleats” have been used. Examples are disclosed below. 
         [0006]    A “dead man” brace is typically fabricated from at least two pieces of 2 by 4 foot lumber in a “T” orientation, and is generally used to temporarily support sheetrock during ceiling installation. It is generally fabricated on the job site to accommodate a specific height dimension, is large and cumbersome in its size, and is not easily transported from one job site to the next. U.S. Pat. No. 3,143,219 to Aldrich et al. discloses a “Ceiling Board Jack” for supporting ceiling boards. The “Ceiling Board Jack” has several moving pieces which have to be manipulated for the Jack to work. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,446 to Anderson, entitled “Tool for Overhead Sheet Installation”, discloses a support tool for sheet material. Anderson&#39;s tool incorporates a screw and a base with a ledge to support the sheet material. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,309 to Bodell, entitled “Temporary Cleat for Sheet Goods”, describes a relatively thin and wide multi-piece assembly that temporarily supports sheet material. The cleat is nailed to an underlying support and is adjustable to accommodate sheet material of various thicknesses. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,405 to Miller, entitled “Drywall Support”, describes a relatively thin flat device, except for a right angle offset. The flat portion has two ends, one of which is pointed. By hammering the other end, the pointed end can be driven into a stud for the temporary support of sheetrock. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,826 to Hurilla, Jr. discloses a “Sheetrock Lifting Apparatus” for lifting a Sheetrock® sheet to a ceiling, and then aligning the sheet prior to nailing. The lifting device includes a flat support attached to a telescopic support arm. 
         [0011]    U.S. patent publication No. 2005/0166484, filed by Richmond, entitled “Device and Method for Installing Building Material”, discloses a handheld clamp with a cross-member or resting surface on which the clamped material sits. That hand tool enables a user to move and align building materials, such as drywall, for nailing to wall studs. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,513 to Worthington, entitled “Hand Tool for Gripping and Carrying Objects”, discloses a hand tool for gripping and moving building materials, such as drywall. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,373,862 to Tyler, entitled “Clamp Device”, discloses a locking clamp having two extended vertical arms. An individual can use this clamp to lift and transport building materials. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,303,228 to Gosis et al., entitled “Metal to Metal Cleat”, discloses a “cleat” as a tapered, flat, metal piece with jagged sides. The cleat tapers to an end, which can be hammered into a support beam. 
         [0015]    A seller, identified as “Free Hands Drywall Cletes” on Amazon.com, has designed a “Free Hands Drywall Installation tool”. The tool is generally “L”-shaped which can be screwed into a support beam. The vertical stem of the L is partially recessed on its backside, adjacent the beam. An installer can insert a sheet rock into that recess for support. 
         [0016]    U.S. patent publication No. 2006/0185278, filed by Jaffe, entitled “Dry Wall Installation Clips”, discloses a generally “U”-shaped holder or clip. To attach the clip to an overhead beam, a user drives a nail through a hole in the clip and into the beam. The clip can then support a sheet at one end. That allows one person to install this material without additional help. 
         [0017]    In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniques are not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved tool for hanging sheathing which overcome the problems associated with the prior art. 
         [0019]    It is another general object to provide a sheetrock support tool which does not require any separate nails or screws to install, and is simple to use. 
         [0020]    It is another general object, commensurate with the above-listed objects, to provide a tool which can be quickly removed from an underlying structure and reused if undamaged. 
         [0021]    Embodiments of the present invention provide a tool for positioning a sheet member comprising a pair of side members configured to straddle a stud member; a back member disposed between back sides of the pair of side members; at least one protrusion extending inward from at least one of the pair of side members; a shelf extending at a first angle away from a top portion of the back member; and an angled portion extending at a second angle away from a bottom portion of the back member. 
         [0022]    Embodiments of the present invention further provide a tool for positioning a sheet member comprising a pair of side members configured to straddle a stud member, wherein at least a portion of an outer edge of the pair of side members is rounded; a back member disposed between back sides of the pair of side members; at least one protrusion extending inward from each of the pair of side members, the at least one protrusion positioned along a top edge of the side members; a shelf extending at a first angle away from a top portion of the back member; a lip extending at a third angle at a distal end of the shelf; and an angled portion extending at a second angle away from a bottom portion of the back member. 
         [0023]    Embodiments of the present invention also provide a method for stabilizing a sheet material onto a stud member comprising positioning tool onto the stud member, the tool having a pair of side members configured to straddle a stud member, a back member disposed between back sides of the pair of side members, at least one protrusion extending inward from at least one of the pair of side members, a shelf extending at a first angle away from a top portion of the back member, and an angled portion extending at a second angle away from a bottom portion of the back member, wherein the at least one protrusion frictionally secures the tool onto the stud member; placing the sheet material onto the shelf of the tool; securing the sheet material to the stud member; applying a force to the angle portion to cause a portion of the tool to move away from the stud member; and removing the tool from the stud member. 
         [0024]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements. 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of a sheet material supporting device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the sheet material supporting device of  FIG. 1  attached to a stud member; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side perspective view of the sheet material supporting device of  FIG. 1  attached to a stud member; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  illustrates removal of the sheet material supporting device of  FIG. 1  once the sheet material is attached; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of an alternate embodiment of a sheet material supporting device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of an alternate embodiment of a sheet material supporting device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0032]    Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description wherein illustrated embodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way of limitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0034]    Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
         [0035]    In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims. 
         [0036]    In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. 
         [0037]    The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below. 
         [0038]    As is well known to those skilled in the art, many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal configuration of a commercial implementation of any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may be configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , a sheet supporting device  10  (also referred to simply as supporting device  10  or simply device  10 ) can include side members  12  configured to straddle a stud member  30 . A back member  16  connects the side members  12  along one edge thereof. A shelf  18  extends from a top edge of the back member  16 , away from the side members  12 . The shelf  18  can extend from the back member  16  at about a 90 degree angle. In some embodiments, the shelf  18  may slope slightly toward the back member  16 . In this embodiment, when a sheet  32  (see  FIG. 4 ) is placed on the shelf  18 , the sheet  32  is urged toward the stud members  30 . 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, a lip  20  may extend from a distal edge of the shelf  18  (distal relative to where the shelf  18  connects to the back member  16 ). The lip  20  typically extends generally parallel to the stud member  30  when the device  10  is attached to the stud member  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The lip  20  may be useful to prevent the sheet  32  from slipping away from the stud member  30  and off the shelf  18 . 
         [0041]    Protrusions  24  may extend inward from each side member  12 . The protrusions  24  can have a distance  28  therebetween that is slightly smaller than the stud member  30 . Thus, the device  10  can be press-fitted onto the stud member  30  and held in place by the protrusions  24 . In some embodiments, the protrusions  24  are formed at the top edge  22  of the side members. Of course, other protrusion locations are contemplated and included within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0042]    A bottom side of the back member  16  (opposite the shelf  18 ) can be disposed an angled portion  26 . The angled portion  26  angles away from the stud member  30  and is integral with the back member  16 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , a hammer  34  or other such tool can apply a force to the angled portion  26  to move the top side of the back member  16  outward and away from the stud member  30 , as shown. This allows a user to grip the device  10  and remove it from the stud member  30 . The angle of the angled portion  26  may vary, but is typically from about 10 to about 45 degrees away from the plane of the back portion  16 . 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , a distal edge  14  of the side members  12  can be rounded. The rounded edge  14  can be useful when the device  10  is used to raise a sheet from ground level. A user may place a sheet on the angled portion  26  and then apply a pressure to the lip  20  to cause the device  10  to act as a lever and fulcrum to raise the sheet off the ground level. 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , in some embodiments, a device  60  can have the angled portion  26  with a lip  62 . The lip  62  may be formed substantially parallel to the back member  16 . In some embodiments, the angle  64  may be made larger or smaller, depending on the particular application. The lip  62  may be useful to help retain the sheet material that is lifted off a ground level with the device  60 . In some embodiments, protrusions (not shown) may extend from the lip  62  to help secure a sheet therebetween. 
         [0045]    In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the rounded edge  14  may be replaced with a flat edge  52  to provide a device  50 . The device  50  can include all of the features of the previously described device  10 .  FIG. 3  shows the flat edged product in use on a stud member  30 . 
         [0046]    The device  10 ,  50 ,  60  may be made from various materials, including metal, plastic, or the like. Typically, the device  10 ,  50 ,  60  is made from metal, such as durable steel to provide for multiple placements and removals. 
         [0047]    As discussed above the device of the present invention can be used to hold a sheet material on a wall or raise a sheet off a floor surface. In addition, the device may be used to hold sheet material onto a ceiling. In this embodiment, the device  10  may attach to a wall stud and the ceiling member can be supported by a top edge of the lip  20 . In this embodiment, the length of the shelf  18  may be extended to ensure secure retention of the ceiling sheet panel prior to fastening. In some embodiments, the lip  20  may extend upward (as shown) and then extend at an angle away from the stud member  30 . This provides not only additional distance for support of ceiling members that meet a wall, but also can allow a slope for directing wall sheets to the shelf  18 , easing placement thereof. 
         [0048]    All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
         [0049]    Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims. 
         [0050]    Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples and that they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different ones of the disclosed elements. 
         [0051]    The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification the generic structure, material or acts of which they represent a single species. 
         [0052]    The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only include the combination of elements which are literally set forth. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. 
         [0053]    Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. 
         [0054]    The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the invention.