Drywall support clip

Abstract

A drywall support clip, the drywall support clip having a first leg and an opposed second leg connected by a bite portion. The first leg comprises a first leg first portion and a shelf portion, with the first leg first portion located between the shelf portion and the bite portion. The shelf portion extends from the first leg first portion at an angle of approximately 90 degrees. The second leg may comprise a second leg first portion and a tongue portion. The second leg first portion located between the tongue portion and the bite portion. The tongue portion extending from the second leg first portion at an acute angle from a projection of the second leg first portion. The shelf portion is adapted to support drywall. Methods of supporting drywall during steel stud frame construction, as well as kits for steel stud frame construction, are also disclosed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/536,885 filed Jan. 16, 2004, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Steel stud framing, such as light or heavy gauge steel framing, is well known and often used in both commercial and residential construction. Such framing is typically utilized to construct interior partition walls and generally consists of sill plates or channels located at the top and bottom of a wall with studs extending between the channels, much like more traditional wooden sill plates and wooden studs. Both the studs and the channels are typically C-shaped. The C-shaped studs are typically affixed to the channels by self-tapping screws. Drywall my then be attached to the studs, again with self-tapping screws, to complete the wall.

In a majority of construction projects, the lower-most sheet of drywall is installed first, with the subsequent sheets being placed on top of the lower sheets for temporary support during construction. When installed in this manner, installers typically place the lower-most sheet of drywall directly on the floor surface adjacent to the sill plate. Because floor surfaces in construction sites tend to be formed from concrete, particularly commercial sites and residential basements, moisture may wick through the concrete and into the drywall. This situation promotes the formation of mold in the drywall.

Mold is problematic for drywall in that it causes staining and general discoloration. Mold may also cause the drywall to disintegrate over time, or begin to emit an odor. The formation of certain molds may be a health detriment to individuals exposed to the mold or spores therefrom which may travel away from the spore source, for example by being air borne from forced air heating or cooling. Thus, mold in any area of a structure may taint the entire structure. Such health problems may range in minor cases from allergic reactions to actual sicknesses in severe cases.

Installers with knowledge and concern for the mold growth phenomenon are careful to avoid contact between the drywall and the concrete floor. In this regard, some installers may use drywall shims between the floor and the drywall during construction. Once the drywall is attached to the studs, the shims should then be removed to prevent moisture from wicking from the floor to the drywall through the shims. Often, installers simply leave the shims in place despite this concern.

Other methods of temporarily supporting the first sheet of drywall off of the floor surface during installation of the drywall are also commonly utilized. One such method is the use of a bent steel wedge. In this method, an installer places one end of a long and slender piece of steel, which is typically curved or otherwise bent, beneath the drywall such that the curved ends face up. The installer then steps on the free end to elevate the end beneath the drywall, thus elevating the drywall. Once the drywall is elevated, the installer may affix the wall to the studs and remove the bent steel wedge.

This method is not preferred as it is often difficult to coordinate use of a bent steel wedge with one's foot while simultaneously holding and attempting to connect a piece of drywall to the studs. Additional helpers may be useful, but their use affects overall project efficiency.

Regardless of the method utilized by the installer, irregularities in the floor surface may also cause contact between the drywall and the floor. For example, even a diligent installer who places shims on each end of a drywall section may encounter an uneven floor which is raised in the middle portion such that the middle portion makes contact with the drywall despite the installer's best efforts. In such cases, additional shims must be provided or the drywall will contact the floor. Additional shims slow the installation and affect overall project efficiency.

Even where drywall is placed above the surface of a floor, it is often placed with too little of a gap. Drywall should be placed approximately {fraction (1/2)}-inch above the floor surface to prevent moisture from the floor surface wicking to the drywall, as well as to keep the drywall dry in the case of unintended spills, floods, or routine cleaning efforts. Even a diligent installer may only place the drywall approximately {fraction (1/4)}-inch or less above the floor. Often, this may still lead to mold growth.

For some, the presence of mold requires abatement. In a typical abatement project, the walls are stripped of all drywall down to the metal studs and sill plates. The metal studs and sill plates are then cleaned and treated with an anti-mold agent. New drywall is then installed and the appropriate finishes applied.

When installing the new drywall, some installers may take the easy route and simply install the drywall against the floor, where moisture may again wick into the drywall. More diligent installers may utilize one of the drywall installation techniques detailed above. However, those techniques have been found to be lacking either in effectiveness or efficiency.

Thus, it would be beneficial to provide a new apparatus and technique, incorporating a drywall support clip, which may be used in conjunction with conventional sill plate to prevent drywall from contacting the floor surface, and which can maintain drywall at a proper elevation above a floor surface on a consistent basis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing, in certain embodiments, a drywall support clip having features designed to elevate drywall on a consistent basis from a floor surface.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of supporting drywall during steel frame construction, the method comprising attaching a first clip to a sill plate, the sill plate having a first wall extending from a base, the base section adapted to be affixed to a floor surface, the first clip having a first clip first leg and an opposed first clip second leg connected by a first clip bite portion, the first clip first leg forming a first clip shelf portion adapted to support drywall above a floor surface. The method further comprising supporting drywall on the first clip shelf portion above the floor surface.

The first clip bite portion may rest on an edge of the first wall.

The first clip bite portion may force the first clip first leg and the first clip second leg toward each other to pinch the first wall therebetween.

The method may further comprise attaching a second clip to the first wall of the sill plate, the second clip having a second clip first leg and a second clip second leg connected by a second clip bite portion, the second clip first leg forming a second clip shelf portion adapted to support drywall above a floor surface. The first clip and the second clip may be attached to the first wall at a distance less than 8 feet from each other. The first clip shelf portion and the second clip shelf portion may support a single sheet of drywall.

The first clip may include a first clip tongue portion associated with the first clip second leg, the first clip tongue portion facilitating attachment with the first wall of the sill plate. The first clip tongue portion may extend from the first clip second leg at an acute angle to a projection of the first clip second leg. The acute angle may be between 30 degrees and 60 degrees.

The drywall may be supported at least ⅜-inch above a floor surface.

The drywall may be supported approximately {fraction (1/2)}-inch above a floor surface.

The method may further comprise attaching the drywall to studs extending from the sill plate.

In accordance with further aspects of the present invention, a drywall support clip may comprise a first leg and an opposed second leg connected by a bite portion, the first leg comprising a first leg first portion and a shelf portion, the first leg first portion located between the shelf portion and the bite portion, the shelf portion extending from the first leg first portion at an angle of approximately 90 degrees, wherein the shelf portion is adapted to support drywall.

The second leg may comprise a second leg first portion and a tongue portion, the second leg first portion located between the tongue portion and the bite portion, the tongue portion extending from the second leg first portion at an acute angle from a projection of the second leg first portion. The acute angle may be an angle between 30 degrees and 60 degrees.

The drywall support clip may have a natural condition in which the first leg is biased against the second leg and an open condition in which the first leg is spaced from the second leg.

The shelf may be less than or equal to ½-inch in depth.

The bite portion may be separated from the shelf portion by approximately {fraction (1/2)}-inch to ¾-inch.

The first leg first portion may be longer than the second leg.

The second leg may extend beyond the shelf portion of the first leg.

In accordance with still further aspects of the present invention, a kit of components for use in the construction of steel stud framing may comprise at least one elongate sill plate, the sill plate comprising a base section and a first wall associated with the base section, the base section adapted to rest on a surface; and at least one drywall support clip, the at least one drywall support clip having an opposed portion adapted to attach to the first wall of the sill plate and a shelf portion adapted to support drywall above the floor surface.

The opposed portion of the at least one drywall support clip may comprise a first leg and a second leg separated by a bite portion. The first leg of the at least one drywall support clip may comprise a first leg first portion between the bite portion and the shelf portion. The shelf portion may extend from the first leg first portion at an angle of approximately 90 degrees. The second leg may comprise a second leg first portion adjacent the bite portion and a tongue portion, the tongue portion extending from the second leg first portion at an acute angle from a projection of the second leg first portion. The first leg of the at least one drywall support clip may comprise a first leg first portion between the bite portion and the shelf portion, the shelf portion extending from the first leg first portion at an angle of approximately 90 degrees, the second leg extending beyond the shelf portion.

The sill plate may further comprise a second wall associated with the base section, the second wall spaced from the first wall so as to form a C-shaped cross section with the base section and the first wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with the features, objects, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cut-away perspective view of a conventional steel stud framing system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a drywall support clip in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a drywall support clip in accordance with further aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cut-away perspective view of a steel stud framing system utilizing drywall support clips as shown in FIG. 2; and,

FIG. 5 is a cut-away side view of wall construction utilizing drywall support clips as shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following are described the preferred embodiments of the drywall support clip in accordance with the present invention. In describing the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. Where like elements have been depicted in multiple embodiments, identical reference numerals have been used in the multiple embodiments for ease of understanding.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1, a conventional sill plate 10 is shown affixed to a floor surface 12. The sill plate 10 comprises a horizontal base 14 with a first wall 16 and a second wall 18 extending vertically upward, generally perpendicular from the base. At the ends, or edges 17, 19, of each wall 16, 18, the wall may be bent inward, or toward each other approximately 180 degrees, to form a first flap 20 and second flap 22. The flaps 20, 22 add to the structural integrity of the sill plate 10 while also increasing handling safety by eliminating potentially sharp wall edges.

Conventional sill plates 10, such as the sill plate shown in FIG. 1, are common throughout the industry. Typically, such sill plates are manufactured in lengths “L” measured by the foot, such as 8-foot, 10-foot, 12-foot, or 16-foot. Overall heights “H” are typically 1-inch to 1¼-inch. In each case, the dimensions may be varied depending on the circumstances and the design criteria.

FIG. 1 also depicts a vertical stud 24 resting on the base 14 of the sill plate 10 between the first wall 16 and the second wall 18. Although not shown, the studs 24 are typically attached to the first wall 16 and second wall 18 with fastening means. Conventionally, such fastening means comprise mechanical fasteners, such as self-tapping screws. However, chemical fastening systems may also be utilized. Such systems include various glues and multi-part epoxies.

Studs 24 are generally C-shaped, and may comprise a first side 26 and a second side 28 spanning between a central portion 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the first side 26 of stud 24 may be installed adjacent to the first wall 16 of sill plate 10 with the second side 28 of the stud installed adjacent to the second wall 18 of the sill plate.

Non-C-shaped studs may also be provided. For example, in some framing systems, the base portion of the stud, or that portion which connects to the sill plate 10, may be formed from a conventional wood stud while the upper section is C-shaped. In addition, conventional wood studs may be utilized. Notwithstanding, in a conventional framing system, the studs are preferably C-shaped.

Drywall 32, depicted as resting on the floor 12 in the conventional manner, is then secured to the exterior of the second side 28 of stud 24, typically with self-tapping screws 34. Similarly, a second piece of drywall (not shown) may be attached to the exterior of first side 26 of the stud 24. The drywall 32 may also be attached to the stud 24 by various other mechanical or chemical means.

As previously discussed, because the floor surfaces 12 may be formed from concrete, moisture may wick through the concrete and into the drywall. Even if the floor 12 is relatively free of moisture, moisture may reach the drywall 32 through other means if the drywall is installed close to the floor. For example, spills, either accidental or from routine cleaning, may moisten the portions of the drywall 32 closest to the floor 12. These situations promote the formation of mold in the drywall 32.

Mold is problematic for drywall in that it causes staining and general discoloration. Mold may also cause the drywall to disintegrate over time, or begin to emit an odor. The formation of certain molds may be a health detriment to individuals exposed to the mold. Such health problems may range in minor cases from allergic reactions to actual sicknesses in severe cases.

Installers with knowledge and concern for the mold growth phenomenon are careful to avoid contact between the drywall and the concrete floor. The methods utilized presently have proven to be inconsistently applied, non-efficient, or otherwise lacking. Thus, many buildings with this type of construction exhibit mold problems requiring abatement.

It is preferred that after abating the mold, the installer install new drywall and other finishes over the existing sill plate stud framing system. Because conventional sill plates and studs are typically metallic, they do not sustain mold growth. Thus, they may be cleansed in place and reused. This represents a tremendous cost savings for the owner.

Yet, when installing the new drywall, some installers may take the easy route and simply install the drywall against the floor, where moisture may again wick into the drywall. More diligent installers may utilize one of the drywall installation techniques previously discussed. However, those techniques have been found to be lacking either in effectiveness or efficiency. The use of a novel drywall support clip in conjunction with the existing conventional sill plate has proven to be an improvement over the existing techniques.

As shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, a drywall support clip 100 may be formed from a single piece of material, preferably a metallic material such as steel. Most preferably, the drywall support clips disclosed herein are formed from tempered spring steel. Other materials such as plastics or composites may also be utilized. The formation of the drywall support clip 100, particularly when formed from metal, is preferably achieved through bending of an elongate stock. However, the clip may be formed through casting, molding, extrusion, or other applicable methods, depending on the material used.

The clip 100 may comprise a first leg 102 and an opposed second leg 104 connected by a bite portion 106. In the natural condition, the first leg 102 and the second leg 104 are preferably biased toward each other by the bite portion 106. Preferably, the first leg 102 and the second leg 104 contact each other in the natural condition, though they need not. In the meantime, the bite portion 106 is preferably flexible, such that the first leg 102 and the second leg 104 may be spread apart into an open condition, where the second leg is spaced from the first leg. As will be discussed, the open position facilitates placement of the clip 100 upon a wall 16, 18 of a sill plate 10. The bite portion 106 is preferably resilient, such that the clip 100 may return to the natural condition upon release.

The first leg 102 may further comprise a first leg first portion 108 and a shelf portion 110, with the first leg first portion between the shelf portion and the bite portion 106. As shown in FIG. 2, the shelf portion 110 preferably extends from the first leg first portion 108 at an angle normal to the first leg first portion.

It will be appreciated that the shelf 110 is adapted to support drywall once the clip 100 is installed onto a wall 16, 18 of a sill plate 10. It is therefore preferred that the shelf 110 have a strength capable of supporting the drywall. Most preferably, a single clip 100, and therefore a single shelf 110, will be capable of supporting at least a conventional sheet of 4-foot×8-foot drywall which may be upwards of ¾-inch thick.

Preferably, the shelf has a depth “D” of less than ½-inch such that the shelf will not extend beyond the face of a conventional sheet of drywall, such as ½-inch or ⅝-inch drywall, when placed thereon. In addition, the shelf should be sufficiently deep, such as at least ¼-inch, to adequately support the drywall.

The shelf 110 may also include surface treatments or irregularities, such as ridges, dimples, bumps, or the like, to help prevent the drywall from sliding off of the shelf. In addition, the surface treatments or irregularities may assist with the grasping or handling of the shelf 110, particularly during installation of the clip 100 as will be discussed.

The second leg 104 may further comprise a second leg first portion 112 and a second leg tongue portion 114, with the second leg first portion between the second leg tongue portion and the bite portion 106. The tongue 114 preferably angles from the second leg first portion 112 at an acute angle “a” from a projection of the second leg first portion, as shown in FIG. 2, to facilitate installation of the clip 100. Such acute angles may range from 1 degree to 89 degrees. Preferably the angle ranges from 30 degrees to 60 degrees. Most preferably, the angle is 45 degrees. It will be appreciated that that the acute angle assists with the installation of the clip 100 by helping to spread the legs 102, 104 apart upon placement over a wall 16, 18.

The tongue 114 and the second leg first portion 112 preferably meet and form the angle “a” in a manner which maintains the tongue and second leg first portion in a planar condition, such that the intersection is a line. However, the intersection may be chamfered or otherwise tapered such that the intersection forms a more rounded profile.

If provided with a tongue portion 114, it will be appreciated that the second leg 104 is preferably shorter than the length of the first leg first portion 108 to assist with installation of the clip 100 onto a wall 16, 18 of a sill plate 10. In this regard, the tongue 114 may include an inside surface 116 which may be utilized as a lever to force the clip 100 into the open condition during installation of the clip onto a wall 16, 18 of the sill plate 10. Preferably, the bite portion 106 is then resilient such that the first leg 102 and the second leg 104 will return back to the natural condition, squeezing the wall 16, 18 therebetween.

In other embodiments, the second leg 104 may be longer than the first leg 102. If so configured, the addition of a tongue 114 at the end of the second leg 102 may provide little benefit, and thus may not be included. An example of a clip 100′ with the second leg 104 longer than the first leg 102 is shown in FIG. 3. It will be appreciated that the inside surface 116 of the second leg 104 may be utilized to assist with the installation of the clip 100′ by assisting with the opening of the clip 100′ from the natural condition to the open condition.

It will further be appreciated that if the clip 100′ is provided with a second leg 104 of greater length than the first leg 102, it is preferred that the length differential be no greater than the desired height of the shelf 110 above the floor surface 12. For example, if the preferred height of the shelf 110 above the floor surface is ½-inch, then the second leg 104 should be no more than ½-inch longer than the first leg 102.

In either case, the clips 100, 100′ are designed such that the bite portion 106 preferably bears on the edge 17, 19 (FIG. 1) of the wall 16, 18.

In other embodiments, the clip may include a handle associated with the second leg, such as handle 118 shown in FIG. 3 associated with second leg 104 of clip 100′. The handle 118 may be provided such that an installer may grasp the handle 118 and the first leg 102, preferably by the shelf portion 110, to spread the first leg and the second leg 104 apart.

Moving to FIG. 4, there is shown a conventional sill plate 10 mounted to a floor 12 with a stud 24 installed, much like shown and described with respect to FIG. 1. In addition, clips 100, as shown and described with respect to FIG. 2, are shown attached to the walls 16, 18 of the sill plate 10. As previously discussed, the bite portions 106 of the clips 100 are shown resting on the edges of the walls 17, 19. This is the preferred arrangement.

In addition, the shelf 110 is shown at a height “h” above the floor 12. It is preferred that height “h” be approximately {fraction (1/4)}-inch to ¾-inch above the floor 12. In other embodiments, the height “h” may be ¼-inch to ½-inch above the floor. In still further embodiments, the height “h” may be ½-inch to ¾-inch above the floor. In another embodiment, the height “h” may be at least ⅜-inch above the floor. In a preferred embodiment, the height “h” is approximately {fraction (1/2)}-inch above the floor 12. Thus, the length of the first leg first portion 108 is preferably between ½-inch and ¾-inch, for use with a conventional sill plate having walls with heights “H” in the range of 1-inch to 1¼-inch.

In viewing FIG. 4, it will be appreciated that the bite portion 106 of the clip 100 may provide additional features to the clip beyond connecting the first leg 102 and second leg 104. For example, the clip 100 may be configured such that the bite portion 106 is relatively wide. Such a configuration promotes proper installation of the clip 100 by helping to prevent the clip from rotating. In addition, the bite portion 106 preferably rests on the edge of a wall, for example edge 19 of wall 18. A relatively wide bite portion 106 spreads the bearing weight on the clip 100 through a greater surface area along the edge 19, thus permitting greater loads before deforming the wall 18 of the sill plate 10.

In order to install the clip 100 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, it will be appreciated that one may simply hold the shelf portion 110 of the clip while pushing the clip downward onto the edge 19 of wall 18, such that interaction between the edge of wall 18 and the inside surface 116 of the second leg 104 forces the second leg away from the first leg 102 into the open condition. The clip 100 may then be slid down the wall 18 toward the floor 12 until the bite portion 106 contacts the edge 19. The clip 100 may then be released by the installer, where in a preferred embodiment the bite portion 106 biases the first leg 102 and second leg 104 together to pinch wall 18.

Installation of clips 100′, as shown and described with respect to FIG. 3 may be achieved in a similar manner. It will be appreciated that one may simply hold the shelf portion 110 of the clip while pushing the clip downward onto the edge 19 of wall 18, such that the bottom of the shelf contacts the edge. The installer may then draw the clip 100′ along the edge 19 until the inside surface 116 of the of the second leg 104 contacts the edge. Continued drawing of the clip 100′ will spread the second leg 104 from the first leg 102, moving the clip toward the open condition. Once moved toward the open position, the installer may slide the clip 100′ downward along the wall 18 until the bite portion 106 contacts the edge 19. The clip 100 may then be released by the installer, where in a preferred embodiment the bite portion 106 biases the first leg 102 and second leg 104 together, to pinch wall 18. If clips are provided with handles, such as handle 118 of clip 100′, the handle may be utilized to open the clip.

Clips 100 installed onto a sill plate 10 are also shown in FIG. 5. As shown, once the clips 100 are installed, drywall 32 may be placed upon the shelves 110 to temporarily support the drywall above the floor 12. The drywall 32 may then be attached to the studs 24 through the use of self-tapping screws (not shown) or other attachment means. The clips are thus left permanently in place.

With regard to spacing, it will be appreciated that only a single clip may be required to support a full ¾-inch thick 4-foot×8-foot sheet of drywall. However, this would likely require the installer to place the clip in the center of the bottom edge of the drywall, and would still require attention by the installer to prevent the drywall from tipping to one side prior to being affixed to the studs by self-tapping screws. To ease installation, at least two clips are preferably utilized per full 4-foot×8-foot sheet of drywall. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that two clips, spaced appropriately, will prevent the drywall from rotating during installation. Preferably, at least three clips will be utilized for a full sized 4-foot×8-foot sheet of drywall. For smaller sheets of drywall, such as sheets less than 8-foot in length, less clips may be required.

In certain situations, additional clips may also be required. For example, if the clips are manufactured from materials which cannot withstand the weight of a full sheet of drywall with a pair of clips, additional clips must be provided during installation to prevent the shelves from bending or breaking. Additionally, irregular floor surfaces may require the use of more than two clips, so the drywall is placed at a consistent level above the floor surface.

Accordingly, the present invention provides for the proper installation of drywall in a steel stud framing system without slowing the efficiency of construction. In fact, because the use of shims or bent steel wedges is not required, and the installer has a convenient place to rest drywall during installation, the system should speed up construction.

It is anticipated that the drywall support clips shown and described may be used in conjunction with conventional sill plates. Such use may be following a mold abatement procedure, or in conjunction with new construction. In either event, the drywall support clips permit proper installation of drywall in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only in that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A method of supporting drywall during steel stud frame construction, said method comprising:

attaching a first clip to a sill plate, the sill plate having a first wall extending from a base, the base section adapted to be affixed to a floor surface, the first clip having a first clip first leg and an opposed first clip second leg connected by a first clip bite portion, the first clip first leg forming a first clip shelf portion adapted to support drywall above a floor surface; and,

supporting drywall on the first clip shelf portion above the floor surface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first clip bite portion rests on an edge of the first wall.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first clip bite portion forces the first clip first leg and the first clip second leg toward each other to pinch the first wall therebetween.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching a second clip to the first wall of the sill plate, the second clip having a second clip first leg and a second clip second leg connected by a second clip bite portion, the second clip first leg forming a second clip shelf portion adapted to support drywall above a floor surface.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first clip and the second clip are attached to the first wall at a distance less than 8 feet from each other.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the first clip shelf portion and the second clip shelf portion support a single sheet of drywall.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first clip includes a first clip tongue portion associated with the first clip second leg, the first clip tongue portion facilitating attachment with the first wall of the sill plate.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first clip tongue portion extends from the first clip second leg at an acute angle to a projection of the first clip second leg.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the acute angle is between 30 degrees and 60 degrees.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the drywall is supported at least ⅜-inch above a floor surface.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the drywall is supported approximately ½-inch above a floor surface.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching the drywall to studs extending from the sill plate.

13. A drywall support clip, said drywall support clip comprising:

a first leg and an opposed second leg connected by a bite portion,

said first leg comprising a first leg first portion and a shelf portion, said first leg first portion located between said shelf portion and said bite portion, said shelf portion extending from said first leg first portion at an angle of approximately 90 degrees,

said shelf portion adapted to support drywall.

14. The drywall support clip of claim 13, wherein said second leg comprises a second leg first portion and a tongue portion, said second leg first portion located between said tongue portion and said bite portion, said tongue portion extending from said second leg first portion at an acute angle from a projection of said second leg first portion.

15. The drywall support clip of claim 14, wherein said acute angle is an angle between 30 degrees and 60 degrees.

16. The drywall support clip of claim 13, wherein said support clip has a natural condition in which said first leg is biased against said second leg and an open condition in which said first leg is spaced from said second leg.

17. The drywall support clip of claim 13, wherein said shelf is less than or equal to ½-inch in depth.

18. The drywall support clip of claim 13, wherein said bite portion is separated from said shelf portion by approximately {fraction (1/2)}-inch to ¾-inch.

19. The drywall support clip of claim 13, wherein said first leg first portion is longer than said second leg.

20. The drywall support clip of claim 13, wherein said second leg extends beyond the shelf portion of said first leg.

21. A kit of components for use in the construction of steel stud framing, said kit comprising:

at least one elongate sill plate, said sill plate comprising a base section and a first wall associated with said base section, said base section adapted to rest on a surface;

at least one drywall support clip, said at least one drywall support clip having an opposed portion adapted to attach to said first wall of said sill plate and a shelf portion adapted to support drywall above the floor surface.

22. The kit of claim 21, wherein said opposed portion of said at least one drywall support clip comprises a first leg and a second leg separated by a bite portion.

23. The kit of claim 22, wherein said first leg of said at least one drywall support clip comprises a first leg first portion between said bite portion and said shelf portion, said shelf portion extending from said first leg first portion at an angle of approximately 90 degrees, said second leg comprising a second leg first portion adjacent said bite portion and a tongue portion, said tongue portion extending from said second leg first portion at an acute angle from a projection of said second leg first portion.

24. The kit of claim 22, wherein said first leg of said at least one drywall support clip comprises a first leg first portion between said bite portion and said shelf portion, said shelf portion extending from said first leg first portion at an angle of approximately 90 degrees, said second leg extending beyond said shelf portion.

25. The kit of claim 21, wherein said sill plate further comprises a second wall associated with said base section, said second wall spaced from said first wall so as to form a C-shaped cross section with said base and said first wall.