Patent Publication Number: US-6209277-B1

Title: Wallboard repair clip, method of repairing wallboard, and kit for repairing wallboard

Description:
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a clip for repairing a hole in wallboard. The invention also relates to a method of repairing a hole in wallboard. The invention further relates a kit for repairing a hole in wallboard. The invention also relates to a method of accessing the interior of a hollow wall. 
     2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is generally known that modern day building construction techniques have been increasingly directed toward the use of wallboard panels to construct walls and partitions. The wallboard materials generally used are commonly referred to as drywall, gypsum board, plasterboard, wood paneling, and the like. The wallboards are usually connected to studs which are suitably spaced according to local building codes. 
     While the construction techniques of such hollow walls has provided advantages, they also have many disadvantages with respect to repairing holes. When patching a hole in the existing wallboard, the wallboard is cutout around the damage, and patch wallboard is inserted and the seams plastered over. Often, the hole is between the studs leaving nothing to keep the patch wallboard flush with the existing wallboard. A common method is to cut and remove a large section of the existing wallboard extending from stud to stud, and securing a patch wallboard to the studs. While this method facilitates a repair of the damaged wallboard, it nevertheless is expensive and wasteful. In addition, the nature of such a repair requires that the patch wallboard be of a thickness identical to that of the existing wallboard so as to provide a continuous surface at the periphery of the repair. Also, since some types of wallboard such as drywall are not constructed to withstand substantial bending forces, the flexing of the wallboard repair panel between the studs presents a problem due to the absence of structural supports within the span. In most applications, since the stud-to-stud distance is approximately 16 inches, this problem of patch wallboard can cause problems of discontinuity at the surfaces between the patch wallboard and the surrounding wallboard portions. 
     Several other methods have been used to hold the patch wallboard flush with the existing wallboard while applying the plaster. Another method is to cut a patch wallboard using drywall such that a flap of the paper is left around the edges. The patch wallboard is inserted in the hole and the paper flap is then plastered over. This method undesirably requires a significant amount of precise cutting and plastering over the paper flap is difficult. A further method involves mechanically fastening a fastener behind the hole to back the patch wallboard, which is time consuming, difficult to precisely align the backing, and requires that the patch wallboard be of the same thickness as the existing wallboard. There are also commercially available screens to use in the patching the wallboard. 
     Several attempts have been made to overcome these disadvantages. U.S. Pat. No. 3,995,404 (Thaw) discloses a clip for repairing drywall. The clip is mounted on the sides of the hole in the drywall being repaired by wallboard gripping members  18  and  20 . The patch wallboard is then pushed into the hole being repaired. The patch is held in place by a retaining member  24  which digs into the plaster between the paper surfaces of the drywall and retaining member  22 . The outer paper surface of the drywall patch is not contacted with a surface of the clip. This type of clip does not align the outer surfaces of the patch and existing wallboard on a common plane. 
     Design Patent No. 391,149 (Gonzales) discloses a clip for repairing drywall or gypsum wallboard. This clip has a prong which digs into the material between the paper surfaces. This type of clip aligns the patch and existing wallboard using the inner surfaces. Thus, the thicknesses of the patch and existing wallboards must exactly match in order to achieve a suitable repair. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,641,474 (Cannarsa) discloses a clip for joining wallboard. This clip retains the wallboard by using teeth which dig into the wallboard material. There is no structure for gripping opposing surfaces of the patch wallboard. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,723 (Weber) discloses a wallboard clip for repairing holes in wallboard. The wallboard clip contains no structure for gripping opposing surfaces of the patch wallboard. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,528 discloses a patch fastener device for a plasterboard wall. The fastener device mounts to one surface of the patch plasterboard and one surface of the existing plasterboard with the use of adhesive strips. The fastener device contains no structure for gripping opposing surfaces of the patch wallboard. 
     None of the conventional wallboard repair clips contact the inside and outside surfaces of the patch wallboard as well as the outside surface of the existing wallboard and the side surface of the existing wallboard being repaired to secure the patch wallboard inside the existing wallboard in all directions. 
     Furthermore, conventional clips do not easily align the outer surfaces of the patch wallboard and existing wallboard on a common plane. 
     Trades persons, such as electricians and plumbers, routinely access the interior of hollow walls to make repairs or new installations. Usually, the portion of the wallboard removed to access the interior of the hollow wall is discarded as undesirable waste. Furthermore, the repair of the hole formed is difficult and time consuming using the above described conventional wallboard repair clips and methods. Therefore, there is a need for an efficient method which reduces the amount of waste material, reduces the amount of time required to repair the hole, and reduces the level of skill necessary to repair the hole. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An objective of the present invention is to provide a wallboard clip which contacts the inside and outside surfaces of the patch wallboard as well as the side and outside surfaces of the wallboard being repaired to secure the patch wallboard to the existing wallboard such that the outer surface of the patch wallboard and the outer surface of the existing wallboard are aligned on substantially a common plane. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method of repairing a hole in a wallboard which reduces the amount of time. 
     A further objective of the present invention is to provide a method of accessing the interior of a hollow wall which reduces the amount of waste material and reduces the amount of time required to repair the hole. 
     The above objectives and other objectives are surprisingly obtained by a wallboard clip which is designed to be mounted on the patch wallboard first, instead of the existing wallboard, to capture both the outer and inner surfaces of the patch wallboard. The wallboard clip includes a securing structure which allows the patch wallboard containing the wallboard clips to be installed and once in the repaired position captures a side surface and an outer surface of the existing wallboard. The wallboard clip secures the patch wallboard in the correct position with the outer surface of the patch wallboard and the existing wallboard being flush, regardless of the thickness of the patch wallboard or the existing wallboard. Thus, the wallboard clip simplifies and significantly reduces the time required to repair a hole in an existing wallboard, and provides a superior connection between the patch wallboard and existing wallboard. 
     The present invention provides a novel wallboard clip for securing a patch wallboard to an existing wallboard to repair the existing wallboard. The wallboard clip comprises: 
     patch wallboard receiving structure constructed and arranged to receive a patch wallboard so as to capture a peripheral portion of inner and outer opposing surfaces of the patch wallboard; 
     an existing wallboard gripping member constructed and arranged to contact of peripheral portion of an outer surface of an existing wallboard to be repaired, the existing wallboard gripping member being coupled to the patch wallboard receiving structure such that the peripheral portion of the outer surface of the patch wallboard and the peripheral portion of the outer surface of the existing wallboard are arranged substantially in a common plane when the patch wallboard is in a repaired position within the existing wallboard; and 
     securing structure coupled to the existing wallboard gripping member, the securing structure being constructed and arranged to grip a side surface of the existing wallboard such that when the patch wallboard is in a repaired position within the existing wallboard, a side surface and outer peripheral surface of the existing wallboard are captured to secure the patch wallboard in the repaired position. 
     Also provided is a novel method of making a wallboard clip for securing a patch wallboard to an existing wallboard to repair the existing wallboard. The method comprises: 
     a) providing a metal strip having opposing first and second ends, opposing first and second surfaces, and an axis along the length of the metal strip; 
     b) forming a securing structure constructed and arranged such that said securing structure grips a side of the existing wallboard and secures the existing wallboard when the patch wallboard is in a repaired position within the existing wallboard, 
     c) cutting the first end of the metal strip substantially in a direction of the axis to form first and existing wallboard gripping members; 
     d) bending the first gripping member in a first direction to form about a 90° angle or less in relation to the axis; 
     e) bending the existing wallboard gripping member in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction to form about a 90° angle or less in relation to the axis such that inner surfaces of the first and existing wallboard gripping members form about a 180° angle or less; and 
     f) bending a portion of the second end of the metal strip about 90° in relation to the axis in the first direction to provide a second gripping member, wherein a body member being defined by a portion of the metal strip defined between the first and second gripping members; 
     wherein a distance between an inner surface of the first gripping member and an inner surface of the second gripping member is about the thickness of a patch wallboard such that the inner surfaces of the first and second gripping members are capable of capturing a peripheral portion of the inner and outer surfaces of the patch wallboard, 
     and wherein an inner surface of the existing wallboard gripping member and the inner surface of the first gripping member are constructed and arranged such that when the patch wallboard is in a repaired position peripheral portions of the outer surfaces of the existing wallboard and the patch wallboard are on substantially a common plane. 
     The present invention also provides a novel method of repairing a hole in an existing wallboard. The method comprises: 
     a) providing a patch wallboard having a surface area larger than a hole to be repaired in the existing wallboard; 
     b) tracing an outline of the patch wallboard on the existing wallboard which surrounds the hole to be repaired; 
     c) cutting out the trace on the existing wallboard; 
     d) inserting at least two wallboard clips onto the patch wallboard such that peripheral portions of the inner an outer surfaces of the patch wallboard are captured by the patch wallboard receiving structure; and 
     e) inserting the patch wallboard containing the wallboard clips into the hole until the patch wallboard reaches a repaired position in which peripheral portions of the inner surfaces of the existing wallboard and existing wallboard are on substantially a common plane. 
     The present invention further provides a novel method of accessing the interior of a hollow wall comprising: 
     cutting a hole in an existing wallboard, wherein a patch wallboard is defined by the cut; 
     removing the patch wallboard from the existing wallboard; 
     applying a plurality of wallboard clips to peripheral portions of the patch wallboard; and 
     inserting the patch wallboard containing wallboard clips into the hole such that the wallboard clips secure the patch wallboard within the existing wallboard. 
     The present invention also provides a patch wallboard for repairing a hole in existing wallboard comprising: 
     a patch wallboard; and 
     a plurality of wallboard clips mounted around a periphery of the patch wallboard. The wallboard clips are constructed and arranged to capture a side surface and an outer peripheral portion of an existing wallboard when the patch wallboard is in an installation position within the existing wallboard. 
     The present invention has the advantage that any size hole can easily be repaired. As the size the patch wallboard and hole increase, the number of wallboard clips or size of the wallboard clips can be increased. Generally, he greater the size of the patch wallboard and hole, the greater the number of wallboard clips required. 
     The present invention also has the advantage that the thickness of the existing wallboard and patch wallboard do not have be matched to provide a suitable patch. Since the outer surfaces of the existing wallboard and patch wallboard are aligned, one size of wallboard clip can be used to repair any thickness of existing wallboard. 
     Furthermore, the present invention is capable of providing the original fire wall protection by replacing the original existing wallboard and using a non-flammable material for forming the wallboard clip. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a view of a wallboard clip according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a view of a wallboard clip according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a view of a wallboard clip according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a view of a wallboard clip according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a view of a wallboard clip according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a view of a wallboard clip according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a cut away side view of a patch wallboard secured in a repaired position within an existing wallboard according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a cut away side view of a patch wallboard secured in a repaired position within an existing wallboard according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a cut away side view of a patch wallboard secured in a repaired position within an existing wallboard according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 illustrates a cut away side view of a patch wallboard secured in a repaired position within an existing wallboard according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 illustrates a step of repairing a hole in an existing wallboard according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 illustrates a step of repairing a hole in an existing wallboard according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 illustrates a step of repairing a hole in an existing wallboard according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 illustrates a step of repairing a hole in an existing wallboard according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 15 illustrates a cutout being formed in existing wallboard for access to an interior of a hollow wall; 
     FIG. 16 illustrates wallboard clips being attached to the patch wallboard formed by the cutout; and 
     FIG. 17 illustrates the patch wallboard secured in a repaired position within the existing wallboard and then coated with tape and spackle; 
     FIG. 18 illustrates a patch wallboard having integrally formed wallboard clips; 
     FIG. 19 illustrates a side view of the patch wallboard having integrally formed wallboard clips; 
     FIG. 20 illustrates a view of a wallboard clip having an alternative securing structure; 
     FIG. 21 illustrates a view of a wallboard clip having an alternative securing structure; 
     FIG. 22 illustrates a view of a wallboard clip having an alternative securing structure; 
     FIG. 23 illustrates a view of a wallboard clip having an alternative securing structure; 
     FIG. 24 illustrates a view of a wallboard clip having an alternative securing structure; 
     FIG. 25 illustrates a side view of a wallboard clip having an alternative securing structure; 
     FIG. 26 illustrates a view of a wallboard clip having an alternative securing structure; 
     FIG. 27 illustrates a view of a wallboard clip having an alternative securing structure; 
     FIG. 28 illustrates a view of a wallboard clip having an alternative securing structure; 
     FIG. 29 illustrates a step in a method of making a wallboard clip; 
     FIG. 30 illustrates a step in a method of making a wallboard clip; 
     FIG. 31 illustrates a step in a method of making a wallboard clip; 
     FIG. 32 illustrates a step in a method of making a wallboard clip; 
     FIG. 33 illustrates a step in a method of making a wallboard clip; 
     FIG. 34 illustrates a step in a method of making a wallboard clip; 
     FIG. 35 illustrates suitable dies for use in a method of making a wallboard clip; 
     FIG. 36 illustrates suitable dies for use in a method of making a wallboard clip; 
     FIG. 37 illustrates suitable dies for use in a method of making a wallboard clip; 
     FIG. 38 illustrates suitable dies for use in a method of making a wallboard clip; and 
     FIG. 39 illustrates a locking structure that is suitable for use in the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     The invention will be explained with reference to the attached Figures. As shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, the wallboard clip  2  includes a body member  5 . A patch wallboard receiving structure  4  is coupled to the body member  5 . The wallboard receiving structure  4  is constructed and arranged to receive a patch wallboard so as to capture a peripheral portion of the inner and outer opposing surfaces of the patch wallboard. Thus, when the wallboard clip  2  is mounted on the patch wallboard, the wallboard receiving structure  4  holds the wallboard clip  2  in place during installation and secures the patch wallboard to the existing wallboard when the patch wallboard is in the repaired position. The patch wallboard receiving structure includes a first gripping member  6  which is constructed to contact a peripheral portion of the outer surface of the patch wallboard and a second gripping member  8  which is constructed to contact the peripheral portion of the inner surface of a patch wallboard. The inner surfaces of the first gripping member  6  and the second gripping member  8  are spaced apart about the thickness of the patch wallboard. The inner surfaces of the first gripping member  6  and the second gripping member  8  can be substantially parallel as shown in FIGS. 1-5. Alternatively, the first gripping member  6  can slope towards the second gripping member  8 , as shown in FIG. 6 at  16 . 
     An existing wallboard gripping member  10  is coupled to the body member  5  and is constructed and arranged to contact of peripheral portion of an outer surface of the existing wallboard to be repaired. The existing wallboard gripping member  10  should be coupled to the patch wallboard receiving structure  4  such that the inner surface of the first gripping member  6  and the inner surface of the existing wallboard gripping member  10  form an angle of about 180°, as shown in FIG.  1 . In this manner, the peripheral portions of the outer surface of the patch wallboard and the outer surface of the existing wallboard will be arranged substantially in a common plane when the patch wallboard is secured in the repaired position within the existing wallboard. Alternatively, the first gripping member  6  and the existing wallboard gripping member  10  can be constructed to form an angle less than 180° as shown in FIG. 6 at  16  to provide tension against the peripheral portions of the patch wallboard and the existing wallboard captured by the wallboard clip. Examples of suitable angles are between about 1 to about 20° less than 180°, preferably about 2 to about 10° less than 180°. However, if desired, the first and existing wallboard gripping members  6  and  10  can be formed at any angle and then adjusted by the end user prior to application of the wallboard clip to the patch wallboard and existing wallboard. When the peripheral portions of the patch wallboard and the existing wallboard are captured by the wallboard clip  2 , the first gripping member  6  and the existing wallboard gripping member  10  will flex such that the inner surfaces of the first gripping member  6  and the existing wallboard gripping member  10  form an angle of about 180° and are substantially on a common plane. In this manner, the peripheral portions of the patch wallboard and the existing wallboard captured by the wallboard clip  2  are aligned on substantially a common plane, regardless of the thicknesses of the patch wallboard and the existing wallboard. 
     The exposed outer surface of the wallboard clip  2 , including the exposed outer surfaces of the first gripping member  6  and the existing wallboard gripping member  10 , should be suitable for concealing by conventional wallboard patching techniques, for example, by taping plastering, joint compound, spackling, and/or painting techniques. In this regard, the exposed outer surface should be substantially free of large ridges, bumps or other protrusions, which are capable of causing undesirable protrusions when covered by conventional taping and spackling techniques. Preferably, the exposed outer surfaces of first gripping member  6  and the existing wallboard gripping member  10  are substantially on a common plane when said patch wallboard is in a repaired position within the existing wallboard to further enhance concealing by conventional patching techniques. The exposed outer surfaces of the wallboard clip can have small ridges, bumps or other protrusions which are capable of being concealed by conventional taping and spackling techniques. If such small protrusions are present, they should be about ⅛ inch or less, preferably about 0.05 inch or less in height. Preferably, the thickness of the first gripping member  6  and the existing wallboard gripping member  10  is sufficiently thin to be concealed by conventional taping and spackling techniques. Suitable thickness have been found to be about ⅛ inch or less, more preferably about 0.05 inch or less, and most preferably about 0.02 inch or less. 
     The wallboard clip  2  further includes a securing structure shown generally at  12  which is constructed and arranged to grip a side surface of an existing wallboard. As shown in FIG. 1, the securing structure  12 , includes at least one spur  14 . The spur  14  is constructed and arranged such that the spur slides along the side surface of the existing wallboard during installation of the patch wallboard into the existing wallboard, and prevents the patch wallboard from being removed when the patch wallboard is in the repaired position. In this manner, the patch wallboard is secured within the existing wallboard. The spur  14  can be pointed as shown in FIG. 6, but can also have other shapes generally used for securing. The spur  14  should be arranged such that a gripping portion of the spur digs into the side of the existing wallboard and inhibits or prevents the patch wallboard from being removed. One skilled in the art will easily be able to adapt well known spur shapes for use in the clip  2  according to the present invention. Besides the spur  14  shape shown, examples of suitable shapes are teeth, spikes and barbs. 
     Based on the disclosure provided herein, one skilled in the art will be able to adapt conventional structures and methods for gripping a surface for use as the securing structure in the wallboard clips described herein. The securing structure can be constructed and arranged such that only the outer exposed surface of the side surface of the existing wallboard is contacted and gripped, and/or such that the securing structure digs into the side surface of the existing wallboard as shown in FIG.  7 . Examples of suitable alternative securing structures are shown in FIGS. 20 through 28. FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate the use of a plurality of ridges  70  as the securing structure. The ridges  70  are designed such that there is less friction or resistance in the installation direction than the opposing direction. FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate the use of flexible ridges  72  to provide less friction or grip in the installation direction than the opposing direction. The ridges shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 can easily be formed by well known extrusion techniques using conventional materials, such as plastics and metals, or by press forming a metal strip. FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate a securing structure  74  which is coupled to an end of the body member instead of a surface of the body member. FIG. 26 illustrates how the gripping members can be formed. 
     The securing structure is preferably constructed such that less friction or grip against the side of the existing wallboard is present when force is applied in the installation direction than in the opposing direction. In this manner, once the patch wallboard is in the repaired position, the securing structure will secure the patch wallboard in the installed position. However, if desired, the securing structure can be constructed such that the patch wallboard is easily removable by providing a securing structure which functions mainly by friction against the side surface of the existing wallboard instead of mainly by digging into the side surface of the existing wallboard. Examples of suitable securing structure which mainly provide friction and avoid substantial digging into the side surface include bumps  76  or ridges  78  on the body member  5 , as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28. For example, the bumps  76  or ridges  78  can be formed from a polymeric material or formed by deforming or extruding the material used to form the wallboard clip. While not preferred, if desired, an adhesive can be incorporated for use in the securing structure. 
     If desired, as shown in FIG. 39, to the securing structure  12 , a locking structure  300  as described in my copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/231,775, incorporated herein by reference, can also be incorporated on the wallboard clip  2 , such that both the securing structure  12  and the locking structure  300  of my copending application can be used in tandem. 
     The distance between the inner surfaces of the first gripping member  6  and the second gripping member  8  should be about the thickness of the patch wallboard to provide a secure fit when the wallboard clip  2  is installed on the patch wallboard. The distance will depend on the type of wallboard material utilized. For example, for drywall which has a compressible paper surface the distance can range from about {fraction (1/16)} inch less than the thickness of the drywall to the thickness of the drywall. Alternatively, if the inner surface of the first gripping member  6  is sloped towards the inner surface of the second gripping member as shown in FIG. 6, during installation of the wallboard clip  2  onto the patch wallboard, the first gripping member  6  can flex away from the second gripping member  8  providing tension between the inside surfaces of the gripping members  6  and  8  and opposing peripheral portions of the patch wallboard there between. The wallboard clip  2  can be constructed and dimensioned to capture any size patch wallboards and existing wallboards as desired. Common sizes are ⅜ inch, ½ inch, ⅝ inch and 1 inch. 
     FIGS. 2,  3  and  6  illustrate a patch wallboard receiving structure  4  which is sized to capture a ½ inch patch wallboard. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a patch wallboard receiving structure  4  which is sized to capture a ⅜ inch patch wallboard. 
     As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the patch wallboard  30  is in a repaired position within the existing wallboard  32 , the spur  14  grips a side surface  40  of the existing wallboard  32  and secures the patch wallboard  30  within the existing wallboard  32 . The peripheral portion of the outer surface of the patch wallboard  38  and the peripheral portion of the outer surface of the existing wallboard  36  are substantially on a common plane. 
     FIGS. 9 and 10 demonstrate that the wallboard clip  2  can be used to secure a patch wallboard  30  within any thickness existing wallboard  32 . 
     The wallboard clip  2  can be used to repair a hole  52  in existing wallboard  54  between studs  51 , as shown in FIGS. 11 through 14. A patch wallboard  50  having a surface area greater than the hole  52  is provided. The patch wallboard  50  preferably has a square or rectangular shape for simplification, although any shape can be utilized as desired. The patch wallboard  50  is placed over the hole  52  and the shape of the patch wallboard  50  is inscribed on the surface of the existing wallboard  54 . A hole  56  is then cut in existing wallboard  54  in the shape of the inscription such that the patch wallboard  50  fits within the hole  56 . Wallboard clips  2  are then mounted on the patch wallboard  50 . Preferably, at least one wallboard clip  2  is mounted on each side of the patch wallboard  50 . The patch wallboard  50  having the wallboard clips  2  mounted thereon is then pushed into the hole  56  until a peripheral portion of the outer surface of the existing wallboard  54  contacts the existing wallboard gripping member  10  of the wallboard clip  2  as shown in FIG. 13, at which point the securing structure  12  grips a side surface of the existing wallboard  54  to secure the patch wallboard  50  in a repaired position. However, the patch wallboard  50  may move slightly past the repaired position during installation in which the existing wallboard gripping member  10  will flex and when pressure is released by the user, the existing wallboard gripping member  10  pulls the patch wallboard  50  back into a repaired position in which the existing wallboard gripping member  10  grips, and may dig into, the side surface of the existing wallboard  54 . The wallboard clips  2  ensure that a flush outer surface is obtained between the peripheral portions of the patch wallboard  50  and the existing wallboard  54  irrespective of the thickness of the patch wallboard  50  or the existing wallboard  54  once the patch wallboard  50  is in a repaired position. Once the patch wallboard  50  is in a repaired position, the joints between the patch wallboard  50  and the existing wallboard  54  and the first and existing wallboard gripping members  6  and  10  can be covered by an any conventional method, such as by using joint tape and/or plaster  58 . The present invention is not limited to repairing a hole between studs. The present invention may also be used to repair a hole exposing one or more studs. 
     The present invention also provides a novel method of accessing an interior of a hollow wall, as shown in FIGS. 15 through 17. Trades persons, such as electricians and plumbers, routinely require access to the interior of hollow walls to make repairs or for new installations. A hole having any desired size or shape can be cut in the wall to access the interior of the wall. The cut is preferably formed using a thin knife or saw, as shown in FIG.  15 . 
     For example, when the wallboard comprises drywall  108 , a thin drywall knife  110  can be used to cut out the shape  112  of the hole and then the portion of the wallboard  114  defined by the cut can be removed. Once access to the hollow wall is no longer needed, the hole can be repaired by using the portion of the wallboard  114  removed as the patch wallboard in the manner shown in FIGS. 12 through 14. A reference mark  116  is preferably made on the portion of the wallboard removed  114  and the existing wallboard  108  to ensure that the portion of the wallboard removed  114  is inserted in the correct position. In this manner, waste wallboard material from accessing the interior of a hollow wall can be avoided. FIG. 16 illustrates the wallboard clips  2  mounted on the periphery of the portion of wallboard  114  removed (now referred to as a patch wallboard  114 ). FIG.  17 . illustrates the patch wallboard  114  installed in the existing wallboard  108 . The wallboard clips  2  and the cutout are concealed by the joint tape  118  and the spackle  120 . 
     The novel wallboard clips  2  can also be used along joints between wallboard to secure one wallboard to another. 
     The present invention further includes a kit for repairing a hole in existing wallboard. The kit includes a plurality of wallboard repair clips w and a patch wallboard. The kit optionally includes joint tape and joint compound, such as plaster or spakling, for covering the joint between the patch wallboard and the existing wallboard. The kit can also contain a tool for cutting a hole in the existing wallboard, such as a knife  110  or saw. 
     The present invention also provides a novel patch wallboard containing a plurality of wallboard clips around the periphery of the patch wallboard for securing the patch wallboard to a hole in an existing wallboard, such as the patch wallboard  50  containing wallboard clips  2  shown in FIG.  12 . Alternatively, the wallboard clips can be integrally formed with the patch wallboard  130  as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. The patch wallboard  130  containing integrally formed wallboard clips can be formed from any suitable material, such as metal, plastic, fiberglass, and combinations thereof. The integrally formed wallboard clips include an existing wallboard gripping member  132  and a securing structure  134 . In general, the existing wallboard gripping member  132  and the securing structure  134  are constructed and arranged in a similar manner to the existing wallboard gripping member  10  and securing structure  12  described above except that the existing wallboard gripping member  10  and the securing structure  12  are integrally formed or connected to the patch wallboard instead of a body member. The existing wallboard gripping member  132  is preferably constructed such that a peripheral portion of the existing wallboard captured by the existing wallboard gripping member  132  is substantially on a common plane with a peripheral portion of the patch wallboard  130 . 
     An example of a suitable method for making a wallboard clip  2  shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated in FIGS. 29 through 38, which includes the following steps: 
     a) providing a metal strip  200  having opposing first end  202  and second end  204 , opposing first surface  206  and second surface  208 , and an axis along the length of the metal strip, as shown in FIG. 29; 
     b) forming a securing structure  210  in the metal strip by clamping the strip between a die  212  having a depression  216  having shape of an outer surface of said securing structure  210  and a second die  214  having a protrusion  218  having a shape of an inner surface of said securing structure  210 , as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31; 
     c) cutting the first end  202  of the metal strip substantially in a direction of the axis to form a first gripping member  6  and an existing wallboard gripping member  10  using the dies  222  and  224 ; 
     c) bending the first gripping member  6  in a first direction to form about a 90° angle or less in relation to the axis; 
     d) bending the existing wallboard gripping member  10  in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction to form about a 90° angle or less in relation to the axis such that inner surfaces of the first and existing wallboard gripping members form about a 180° angle or less, as shown in FIG. 32, 
     wherein a body member  5  being defined by a portion of the metal strip contacting the first and second gripping members; and 
     e) bending the metal strip about 90° in relation to the axis in the first direction at an end of the body member  5  to provide a second gripping member  8  using the die  226 , as shown in FIG. 33; 
     wherein the inner surfaces of the first and second gripping members are capable of capturing a peripheral portion of the inner and outer surfaces of the patch wallboard. FIG. 34 illustrates the formed wallboard clip being removed from the dies. FIGS. 35 and 36 illustrate suitable die sizes for forming a wallboard clip for use in securing a patch wallboard having a thickness of about ⅜ inch. FIGS. 37 and 38 illustrate suitable die sizes for forming a wallboard clip for use in securing a patch wallboard having a thickness of about ½ inch. 
     The steps (a) through (e) can be conducted in any order as desired. And formation of the wallboard clip is not limited to the method described above. 
     To provide a wallboard clip  2  as shown in FIG. 2, about a 1.5 inch strip of 30 gauge metal having a width of about ⅝ inch was used. To provide a wallboard clip  2  as shown in FIG. 4, about a 1.375 inch long strip of 30 gauge metal having a width of about ⅝ inch was used. 
     While the wallboard clip  2  can be formed from a continuous metal strip as shown in FIGS. 1-17, the wallboard clip  2  can also be formed from any suitable material as desired, such as plastics, metals, composites, wood materials, and mixtures thereof. The wallboard clip  2  can be molded, machined, extruded, formed by cutting, bending or pressing, or any other suitable method. For example, the wallboard clip  2  can be formed from extruded metals, such as aluminum. The wallboard clip  2  can also be formed from a plurality of separate parts which are coupled together, such as by bonding, welding, screwing, bolting, riveting, molding and adhesives. Based on the disclosure provided herein, one skilled the art will be able to select a suitable material for the desired wallboard clip. In order to comply with many building codes, the wallboard clip  2  should be formed from a non-flammable material. Preferably, the wallboard clip  2  is formed from a continuous strip of metal, and more preferably from a corrosion resistant flexible metal, such as stainless steel or corrosion treated steel including galvanized steel. The metal can be annealed to provide enhanced strength. The dimensions of the metal strip will depend on particular application and the type of metal utilized. For drywall having a thickness of about 1 inch or less, examples of suitable thicknesses of the metal are from about ⅛ inch or less, more preferably about 0.01 to about 0.02 inch thick, and examples of suitable widths are about 1 inch or less, preferably about ⅝ inch. However, if desired significantly wider wallboard clips can be formed for the desired application. For example, a wide wallboard clip can be used in place of thinner wallboard clips if desired. 
     As the size the patch wallboard and hole increases, the number of wallboard clips or size of the wallboard clips can be increased. Generally, the greater the size of the patch wallboard and hole, the greater the number of wallboard clips required. The number of wallboard clips required will depend on local building codes and the type of wallboard material utilized. Usually, when using drywall as the wallboard material, local building codes can be complied with using a sufficient number of wallboard clips such that the spacing between the wallboard clips is about 5 to 8 inches, preferably about 6 inches. 
     While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the claimed invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, any locking structure having an insertion position that allows the patch wallboard to be installed and a securing position which contacts an inner surface of the existing wallboard when the patch wallboard is in a repaired position can be utilized in the wallboard clip.