Patent Publication Number: US-2020284027-A1

Title: Substrate mounting clip

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a substrate mounting clip, and more particularly, to a substrate mounting clip including an aperture. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Building materials may be secured to an underlying structure, such as a sub-floor or framing in a plurality of sections, thus creating joints between edges of proximate or adjacent building materials. As an example, mounting building materials such as, drywall, plasterboard, wallboard, sheet rock, Gyprock®, gypsum board, gypsum panel, plywood or other such materials on an underlying building structure can prove to be difficult and weak if not properly spaced across the underlying structure. For example, edges of adjacent or proximate sheets of drywall may each overhang a single underlying stud of relatively narrow width. Thus, an amount of surface area of the adjacent or proximate edges of the drywall contacting the underlying stud may be somewhat limited, particularly when the adjacent or proximate edges are not directly centered on the underlying stud. 
     As an example, edges or butt ends of drywall or plywood tend to bulge out after a few years of installation, thus creating an unsightly look in finished surface as well as a weak connection. Wind may be a constant issue of tearing plywood off buildings due to a small surface area contacting underlying framing. 
     Thus, it may be desirable to increase the strength with which a building material is secured to an underlying structure. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to aspects of the present disclosure, a substrate mounting clip includes a plate having a first side and a second side. A first arm extends from the first side of the plate. The first arm includes a first projection shaped and dimensioned to secure the plate to a first substrate. A second arm extends from the second side of the plate. The second arm includes a second projection shaped and dimensioned to secure the plate to a second substrate proximate to the first substrate. An aperture is formed in the plate between the first arm and the second arm. 
     According to aspects of the present disclosure, the first substrate or the second substrate may be drywall, plasterboard, wallboard, gypsum board or plywood. 
     According to aspects of the present disclosure, the first side of the plate may be spaced apart from the second side of the plate. The aperture may be formed in a substantially central region of the plate. 
     According to aspects of the present disclosure, the mounting clip may include an indentation formed in the plate around the aperture. The indentation is shaped and dimensioned to counter sink a screw head or a nail head. 
     According to aspects of the present disclosure, the substrate mounting clip may include a coating configured to prevent the substrate mounting clip from rusting. The coating may include phosphate or zinc. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the first projection or the second projection may extend along a direction parallel to a depth direction of the aperture formed in the plate. 
     According to aspects of the present disclosure, the first arm may include at least two pointed projections including pointed teeth extending along the direction parallel to the depth direction of the aperture formed in the plate. The second arm may include at least two projections including pointed teeth extending along the direction parallel to the depth direction of the aperture formed in the plate. 
     According to aspects of the present disclosure, a first surface of the plate, a first surface of the first arm and a first surface of the second arm form may be substantially co-planar with each other. A second surface of the plate, a second surface of the first arm and a second surface of the second arm are substantially co-planer with each other. 
     According to aspects of the present disclosure, the plate may have a substantially rectangular shape. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The above and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a substrate mounting clip according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of a substrate mounting clip according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a substrate mounting clip according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a substrate mounting clip according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of a substrate mounting clip according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of a substrate mounting clip mounted on proximate substrates according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be understood that the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. are used herein to distinguish one element from another, and the elements are not limited by these terms. Thus, a “first” element in an exemplary embodiment may be described as a “second” element in another exemplary embodiment. 
     As used herein, the terms parallel and perpendicular are understood to include relative configurations that are substantially parallel and substantially perpendicular up to about + or −10 degrees from true parallel and true perpendicular. 
     “About” or “approximately” as used herein may be inclusive of the stated value and means within an acceptable range of variation for the value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, considering the measurement in question and the error associated with measurement of the particular quantity (e.g., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, “about” may mean within one or more standard variations, or within ±30%, 20%, 10%, 5% of the stated value. 
     Descriptions of technical features or aspects of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure should typically be considered as available and applicable to other similar features or aspects in another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Accordingly, technical features described herein according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be applicable to other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and thus duplicative descriptions may be omitted herein. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully below (e.g., with reference to the accompanying drawings). Like reference numerals may refer to like elements throughout the specification and drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a substrate mounting clip according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of a substrate mounting clip according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 3  is a side view of a substrate mounting clip according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 4  is a top view of a substrate mounting clip according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 5  is a plan view of a substrate mounting clip according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 6  is a rear view of a substrate mounting clip mounted on proximate substrates according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 6 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a substrate mounting clip includes a plate  101  having a first side and a second side. A first arm  102  extends from the first side of the plate  101 . The first arm  102  includes a first projection (e.g., the first projection may include one or both of projections  111  and/or  112 ) shaped and dimensioned to secure the plate  101  to a first substrate (e.g. substrate  602 ). A second arm  103  extends from the second side of the plate  101 . The second arm  103  includes a second projection (e.g., the second projection may include one or both of projections  113  and/or  114 ) shaped and dimensioned to secure the plate  101  to a second substrate (e.g., substrate  603 ) proximate to the first substrate. An aperture  120  is formed in the plate  101  between the first arm  102  and the second arm  103 . 
     As an example, the first side of the plate  101  may be opposite the second side of the plate  101  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 1 and 2 ); however, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the first side and the second side may refer to sides that are immediately adjacent to each other, or sides that extend along planes that are rotated about ninety degrees from each other. 
     As an example, the first and second substrates may include edges that are immediately adjacent to each other with an underlying support structure below each of the edges. The aperture  120  may be substantially aligned with a central region of the underlying support structure. Thus, driving a screw through the aperture  120  may secure the substrate mounting clip, along with the first and second substrates, to the underlying support structure. This may prevent edges from either of the substrates from breaking or cracking. As an example, in the case of drywall, preventing the edges from cracking may prevent unsightly bulges from forming and may reduce a number of coats of spackle used for filling a seam between the adjacent substrates. Thus, manufacturing costs may be reduced, while reducing an amount of time for securing adjacent substrates to an underlying support structure. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first substrate or the second substrate may be drywall, plasterboard, wallboard, sheet rock, Gyprock®, gypsum board, gypsum panel, plywood, or any other type of interior or exterior sheeting material. Thus, the substrate mounting clip described herein may be employed to secure adjacent sheets of drywall to an underlying support stud, while reducing building time of a wall and also reducing building costs. Additionally, the presence of a visible seam between adjacent sheets of drywall may be reduced or eliminated by more securely adhering the drywall to the underlying support stud. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first side of the plate  101  may be spaced apart from the second side of the plate  101 . The aperture  120  may be formed in a substantially central region of the plate  101 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the mounting clip may include an indentation  121  formed in the plate  101  around the aperture  120 . The indentation  121  is shaped and dimensioned to counter sink a screw head (see, e.g., screw head  601  in  FIG. 6 ) or a nail head. While the aperture  120  and/or indentation  121  may be substantially circular, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the aperture  120  and/or indentation  121  may have other shapes, which may be used to accommodate different fastener shapes, such as screws having various shaped screw heads. 
     The aperture  120  may extend entirely through the plate  101 . Alternatively, the aperture  120  might include a relatively thin screw securing flap configured to hold a screw in position in the aperture  120 . For example, the screw securing flap may be relatively easily pierced by pressure applied by a screw tip and the screw may be held in position in the aperture  120  by the screw securing flap before the screw is driven into the underlying support structure. 
     As an example, the screw head may be substantially flush with a surface of the plate  101  facing away from the underlying substrates. Further, the surface of the plate  101  facing away from the underlying substrates may be substantially flush with surfaces of the underlying substrates facing the plate  101 . Thus, plastering or spackling over the substrate mounting clip may be performed in a relatively short amount of time. Further, cracks in the plaster or spackle may be prevented from occurring because the substrates are securely fastened to an underlying support structure by the substrate mounting clip. Additionally, the substrate mounting clips may be spaced further apart from each other than drywall screws would be in a conventional drywall installation process. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the substrate mounting clip may include a coating configured to prevent the substrate mounting clip from rusting. The coating may include phosphate or zinc. However, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and any desired material for preventing the mounting clip from rusting may be employed. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first projection (e.g.,  111  and/or  112 ) or the second projection (e.g.,  113  and/or  114 ) may extend along a direction parallel to a depth direction of the aperture  120  formed in the plate  101 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first arm  102  may include at least two pointed projections including pointed teeth extending along the direction parallel to the depth direction of the aperture  120  formed in the plate  101 . The second arm  103  may include at least two projections including pointed teeth extending along the direction parallel to the depth direction of the aperture  120  formed in the plate  101 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a first surface of the plate  101 , a first surface of the first arm  102  and a first surface of the second arm  103  may be substantially co-planar with each other. A second surface of the plate  101 , a second surface of the first arm  102  and a second surface of the second arm  103  may be substantially co-planer with each other. For example, the first surface may refer to a front surface of the substrate mounting clip and the second surface may refer to a rear surface of the substrate mounting clip. Thus, the substrate mounting clip may have a rear surface that is substantially flush with an underlying substrate (e.g., when the substrate mounting clip is hammered into a surface of drywall substrates). The screw head (e.g.,  601 ) may be substantially flush with the rear surface of the substrate mounting clip. Thus, as an example, sheets of underlying drywall, the substrate mounting clip and a screw head of a screw secured through the aperture  120  to an underlying support structure may be substantially co-planar with each other, thus creating a substantially flat and continuous surface. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the plate  101  may have a substantially rectangular shape. However, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the shape of the plate  101  and/or of the substrate mounting clip may be modified, as desired. 
     As an example, the substrate mounting clip may be formed of a metal, such as stainless steel. The substrate mounting clip may be hardened and tempered. As described herein, the metal may be coated to prevent rusting. Additionally, the substrate mounting clip may be coated with a material configured to increase bonding strength between the substrate mounting clip and spackle or joint compound. 
     As an example, the substrate mounting clip may be a metal fastening device with four small teeth and a hole substantially in the center used to join the butt ends of two substrates such as drywall or plywood to the underlying structure. 
     Typically, when fastening drywall to the underlying structure the sheets of drywall are screwed and or nailed every 12 to 16 inches and the butt ends are positioned substantially equal to half lap the underlying structure then screwed and or nailed every 8 inches. When securing plywood to the underlying structure such as roof rafter of studs the plywood sheet may be nailed every 12 to 16 inches and the butt ends may be positioned substantially equal to half lap the underlying structure and nailed every 8 inches. 
     As an example, drywall butt ends may overlap a 2×4 stud leaving ¾ of an inch for each end of adjacent sheets of drywall to be secured through, thus leaving relatively little room for error and screw surface. This may cause the drywall to tear and break on the edges; particularly if the edges of adjacent drywall sheets are not well centered on an underlying support stud or if the underlying support stud is secure at an angle with respect to the edges of the drywall sheets. This may cause drywall joints to “pop” or separate from the underlying support stud, thus creating unsightly unevenness in the finished drywall. In reference to other substrate such as plywood an area such as a roof of a building structure is very susceptible to wind damage (e.g., during storms). Thus, the substrate mounting clip described herein may increase the strength of an attachment between a substrate such as drywall or plywood to an underlying support structure such as a support stud or roof rafter. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , exemplary dimensions are illustrated in inches. However, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the dimensions of the substrate mounting clip described herein may be modified, as desired. 
     Having described exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it is further noted that it is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.