Abstract:
An L-shaped wall plate anchor to secure a wall frame bottom plate in place in preparation to raising a wall relative to a floor. The wall plate anchor is provided with apertures adapted to accommodate standard wall thicknesses of, for example, 3 ½ inch or 5 ½ inch thicknesses.

Description:
[0001]     The present patent application is based on and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/552,532 filed Mar. 12, 2004, the entire contents of which application are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
     
    
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to a novel and unique wall plate anchor, and methods of using same.  
         [0003]     More particularly, the present invention relates to a wall plate anchor to secure a frame wall bottom plate in place in preparation for raising the wall to be used in conjunction with a wall hoist.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     Frequently in the construction trade when raising a wood or metal frame wall, the wall moves out of position during the raising process. This results in many necessary adjustments, and unnecessary time consumption and additional unnecessary labor.  
         [0005]     The prior, but not necessarily relevant, art is exemplified by the following United States patents.  
         [0006]     Roelofsz U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,944, entitled “LOW COST COLLAPSIBLE ENCLOSURE”, issued Aug. 29, 1995.  
         [0007]     Schillero, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,407, entitled “METAL STUD HOLDING DEVICE”, issued Feb. 29, 2000.  
         [0008]     Timilty U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,467, entitled “WALL POSITIONING AND BRACING APPARATUS AND METHOD”, issued Oct. 30, 2001.  
         [0009]     Fick U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,287, entitled “WALL HINGE”, issued Jan. 1, 2002.  
         [0010]     It is a desideratum of the present invention to avoid the animadversions of the prior art devices and techniques, and to provide a novel and unique wall plate anchor and methods of using same.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention provides a wall plate anchor, comprising: a flexible elongated member having a first elongated portion extending in a first predetermined direction, and a second elongated portion extending in a second predetermined direction, which is disposed substantially perpendicular to said first predetermined direction; said first elongated portion being provided with at least three apertures arranged in a predetermined pattern; and said second elongated portion being provided with at least one aperture disposed at a predetermined location relative to said apertures provided in said first elongated portion of said flexible elongated member.  
         [0012]     The present invention further provides a method of using a wall plate anchor to secure a wall bottom plate in place in preparation for raising a wall relative to a floor, comprising the steps of: fastening a first elongated portion of said wall plate anchor to said floor using fastening members extending through at least two apertures provided in said first elongated portion of said wall plate anchor; and fastening a second elongated portion of said wall plate anchor to said wall bottom plate by using at least one fastener extending through an aperture in said first elongated portion of said wall plate anchor, and by placing at least another fastener extending through an aperture provided in a second elongated portion of said wall plate anchor.  
         [0013]     The present invention provides a novel and unique wall plate anchor to secure a wall bottom plate in place in preparation for raising the wall, and a novel method of using such wall plate anchor.  
         [0014]     It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a wall plate anchor as described hereinabove, wherein such wall plate anchor may preferably, but not necessarily, be used in conjunction with a wall hoist.  
         [0015]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a wall plate anchor as described hereinabove, wherein such wall plate anchor comprises a simple strap with a single 90° bend therein, and holes formed or punched therethrough to accommodate the use of various fastening elements, such as nails or screws.  
         [0016]     A further object of the present invention is to provide such a novel and unique wall plate anchor as described hereinabove, which is fabricated or cut to fit predetermined wall thicknesses, such as, for example, a 3 ½ inch or a 5 ½ inch wall thickness.  
         [0017]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a wall plate anchor strap as described hereinabove, wherein the anchor strap will attach the bottom wall plate to the floor or foundation sill plate, and hold the wall in correct position safely during the raising of the wall.  
         [0018]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel and unique wall plate anchor as described hereinabove, wherein such wall plate anchor will work with wood or metal frame walls.  
         [0019]     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a novel and unique wall plate anchor as described hereinabove, wherein such wall plate anchor prevents the wall from moving out of position during the raising thereof.  
         [0020]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a novel and unique wall plate anchor as described hereinabove and a method of using same, wherein such wall plate anchor is used on an elevated foundation above the floor elevation, and the anchor straps will hold the bottom wall plate in position during the wall framing as well. This is common in garage construction where the wall often rests on an elevated foundation.  
         [0021]     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a novel and unique wall plate anchor as described hereinabove, wherein the wall plate anchor may preferably, but not necessarily, be fabricated from flexible metal banding.  
         [0022]     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide such a novel and unique wall plate anchor as described hereinabove, wherein the holes in the wall plate anchor have a predetermined position to help prevent the wall from moving during the early stage of the lifting operation.  
         [0023]     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a novel and unique wall plate anchor as described hereinabove, wherein such wall plate anchor finds particular usage in installing the wall plate anchor on a stem wall, or an elevated foundation wall.  
         [0024]     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a novel and unique wall plate anchor as described hereinabove, wherein such wall plate anchor provides both the support for the frame wall at the proper level to allow tilting up onto the stem wall, and a positive anchor to position the frame wall accurately when in the raised position, and to prevent the frame wall from moving out of position during the process of tilting it up.  
         [0025]     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a novel and unique wall plate anchor and methods of using same which yields several important benefits to the contractor or other construction person, such as, for example, speed in set up, convenience in supporting the work, accuracy in placement, and safety during construction.  
         [0026]     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a novel and unique wall plate anchor and methods of using same wherein the wall plate anchor will be completely covered by wall finishes under normal conditions, without additional time spent on removing such wall plate anchor.  
         [0027]     Other objects, advantages, applications and features of the present invention will become more apparent to those persons skilled in this particular area of technology, and to other persons, after having been exposed to the detailed description of the present invention as set forth hereinbelow when read in conjunction with accompanying patent drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]      FIG. 1  is a perspective illustration of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is an elevational view, partly in section, showing the wall plate anchor of  FIG. 1  in place before the wall is raised.  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is an elevational view, partly in section, showing the  FIG. 2  arrangement after the wall has been raised into place.  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the wall plate anchor being used for an elevated floor arrangement.  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is an elevational view, partly in section, of the arrangement shown in  FIG. 4  before the wall has been raised.  
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is an elevational view, partly in section, of the  FIG. 5  arrangement, after the wall has been raised.  
         [0034]      FIG. 7  shows an elevational view, partly in section, of an arrangement where the wood mud sill is wider than the wall plate anchor.  
         [0035]      FIG. 8  shows the  FIG. 7  arrangement, but wherein the wall has been raised into final position.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0036]     With reference to  FIG. 1 , there is shown the wall plate anchor  10  in accordance with the present invention as affixed to a wall plate  11 .  
         [0037]     Preferably, but not necessarily, the wall plate anchor  10  is fabricated from a flexible metal banding, and is sized for common wood wall thicknesses or common metal wall thicknesses.  
         [0038]     The wall plate anchor  10  includes a first section or a bottom portion  12  having predetermined and pre-positioned apertures  13 ,  14  and  15  therethrough for accommodating various fasteners such as screws or nails  16 ,  17  and  18 .  
         [0039]     The wall plate anchor  10  also includes a second section  20 , which is initially oriented substantially perpendicular to the first section  12 , and said second section  20  includes at least one predetermined and pre-positioned aperture  21  therethrough for accommodating various fastening members such as a nail or screw  22 .  
         [0040]     It should be noted that the second section  20  of the wall plate anchor  10  has a hole  21  to permit a fastener  22  to be placed approximately ¾ of an inch down from the top edge  23  of the wall plate  11 .  
         [0041]     It should be noted that two of the apertures  13  and  14  in the first section  12  of the wall plate anchor  10  permit fasteners  16  and  17  to be placed into the floor  24 , foundation or wood mud sill upon which the wall  25  is to be raised.  
         [0042]     Preferably, but not necessarily, a preferred version of the wall plate anchor  10  has its first section  12  approximately 7″ long, and its second section  20  approximately 5 ½ inches long, and having a width of approximately 1″.  
         [0043]     Preferably, but not necessarily, another preferred version of the wall plate anchor  10  has its first section  12  approximately 5″ long, its second section  20  approximately 3 ½ inches long, and its width approximately 1″. This is sized for common wood and metal wall thicknesses.  
         [0044]      FIG. 2  shows the arrangement after the fasteners  16 ,  17 ,  18  and  22  have been placed through the wall plate anchor  10  into the foundation, floor  24  or wood mud sill and into the wall plate member  11 .  FIG. 2  shows also a stud  26  of the wall  25  to be raised further down from the section showing the wall plate anchor  10 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 3  shows the position after the wall  25  has been raised to show how the wall plate anchor  10  has been bent into final position when the wall  25  is upright.  
         [0046]      FIGS. 4-8  show the arrangement of the components when the wall plate anchor  10  is used on an elevated foundation, such as in garage construction, where there is a wood mud sill  27  on top of a masonry foundation  28  above the level of the floor  24 .  
         [0047]      FIGS. 4-6  show the arrangement of the components where the wall  25  to be raised is approximately the same width of the wood mud sill  27  upon which the wall  25  will be raised.  
         [0048]      FIGS. 7 and 8  show the arrangement when the wall plate anchor  10  is used with a foundation  29  and wood mud sill  30  which is wider than the wall plate anchor  10  in its final arrangement after the associated wall  25  has been raised relative to the elevated foundation  29 .  
         [0049]     An important feature of the wall plate anchor  10  in accordance with the present invention is that no portion of the wall plate anchor  10  remains in the room to interfere with finishes.  
         [0050]     From the foregoing it can be seen that the novel and unique wall plate anchor  10  is used for securing a frame wall bottom plate  11  in place in preparation for raising the wall  25 .  
         [0051]     Preferably, but not necessarily, the wall plate anchor  10  is used in conjunction with a wall hoist.  
         [0052]     It should be noted that the wall plate anchor  10  comprises a simple metal strap with a single 90° bend and predetermined and pre-positioned holes  13 ,  14 ,  15  and  21  provided for nails or screws  16 ,  17 ,  18  and  22 . The wall plate anchor  10  may be fabricated or cut to fit a particular wall thickness, such as a 3 ½ or 5 ½ inch thick wall.  
         [0053]     The wall plate anchor  10 , its bottom section  12  attached to the floor  25  or foundation sill plate  30 , holds the wall  25  in the correct position safely during the raising of the wall  25 .  
         [0054]     The wall plate anchor  10  in accordance with the present invention will work with wood or metal frame walls, and prevents the wall  25  from moving out of position during raising.  
         [0055]     When the wall plate anchor  10  in accordance with the present invention is used on an elevated foundation  29  above the floor  24  elevation, the wall plate anchor  10  straps will hold the bottom wall plate  11  in position during wall framing as well. This is an important feature. This is common in garage construction where the wall  25  often rests on an elevated foundation  29 .  
         [0056]     Although some preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail hereinabove, all improvements, modifications and other foreseeable variations and applications are included in the scope of the invention.