Abstract: A strip of polymer material is used as a corner bead or drywall tape. In a preferred application, the location, i.e. a joint, where two pieces of drywall meet are sprayed with an adhesive and the strip is put in place over the joint. Then, drywall compound is placed over the strip and finished by a drywall finisher. Perforations, depressions and knurling on the strip allow drywall compound to form, when dry, a mechanical bond to the strip at the joint. The material used to make the strip is preferably a mineral filled polymer, such as talc-filled polypropylene, which is inexpensive and lightweight. The adhesive applied to the joint is preferably one which is specially formulated to bond to polypropylene. The strip is initially extruded into a flat form and a crease is imparted to the center of the strip. This allows the strip to be carried in a compact, rolled form.

Abstract: A surface repair patch for closing an opening around a fixture which is adjacent to or protrudes from a surface is provided. The surface repair patch comprises a sheet having a plurality of openings which extend from the first side to the second side of the sheet. The sheet supports, positions, and reinforces a curable repair compound on a surface before the repair compound is cured. The sheet includes a removable first section which has a border defined by a first line of holes. The first line of holes is configured such that the removable first section may be removed from the sheet by applying pressure to the removable first section. The sheet of the repair patch may further include a removable second section having a border defined by a second line of holes which facilitate removal of the removable second section from the sheet. The sheet may also include a third line of holes which extend from the border of the removable first section to the periphery of the sheet.

Abstract: A combination shield and template for covering an electrical junction box disposed in a wall during the application of wallpaper to the wall is shown and described. The shield/template includes a rectangular plate having an outer periphery disposed in matching registry with or just inside the outer periphery of the junction box. The rear side of the plate faces the junction box and includes at least one aperture for accommodating electrical components therein. The front side of the plate includes a domed cover for covering the aperture or apertures to protect the electrical components accommodated therein from being coated or engaged with wallpaper glue. The front side of the plate further comprises a guide that extends around the periphery of the plate that permits the worker installing the wallpaper to accurately cut the paper after it has been applied to the wall and over the plate which ensures an accurate cut in matching registry with the junction box or disposed just inside the junction box.

Abstract: An improved surface repair assembly for repairing a damaged portion of an exposed surface of is provided. The surface repair assembly includes a surface repair patch and a curable surface repair compound. The surface repair patch comprises a sheet which is formed from a plastically deformable inelastic polymeric material. The sheet has a plurality of openings which extend from the first side to the second side of the sheet. The openings are arranged about the sheet so that a network of strips of polymeric material is formed. Each of the strips is capable of being plastically deformed in any direction so that the sheet may be shaped to correspond to the contour of the surface being repaired. The sheet supports, positions, and reinforces the curable repair compound on the surface before the repair compound is cured. In one version of the invention, the second side of the repair patch includes an adhesive for affixing the patch to the surface to be repaired.

Abstract: An improved, two-piece multipurpose wrench tool which offers the strength of a standard four-way lug wrench, the flexibility of an adjustable socket set, and the compact storage ability of a straight, single-piece tool. An elongated leverage bar is inserted through a bore of a main wrench shaft member whereby a thimble-shaped section of the leverage bar becomes securely wedged within the similarly sized and shaped interior surface of the bore. The main wrench shaft member has a standard automobile lug nut socket on one end and a male socket adaptor on the other. Such male socket adaptor is capable of receiving the female attachment end of sockets having a variety of sizes. During operation, the leverage bar is used to provide the torque necessary to either tighten or loosen nuts or bolts. The leverage bar of the present invention also has a standard screwdriver head formed at one of its ends to allow for miscellaneous screwdriving applications and the convenient removal of hub caps and tires.

Abstract: An improved multi-layer repair patch is provided. The patch has general repair applications including uses on drywall and automobile bodies. The preferred embodiment includes a three layer patch including an inner mesh, a middle reinforcing sheet and an outer mesh. No glue or adhesive needs to be applied to the middle sheet. The inner surface of the inner mesh carries an adhesive coating and the inner surface of the outer mesh carries an adhesive coating. The inner mesh is attached to the surface under repair and the outer mesh secures the middle sheet between the two mesh structures. In the preferred embodiment, the middle sheet is perforated and the perforated middle sheet, in combination with the inner and outer mesh structures enables liquified bonding material to migrate through the patch during the repair process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a contourable surface repair compound matrix. Such a matrix is directed to apparatus for reinforcement and positioning of the repair compound and comprises a mesh-like structure including a plurality of deformable contour modules, preferably in the form of diamond-shaped elements, to form a sheet-like structure which is readily adaptable to be formed in a variety of stable formats. Such contourable surface repair compound matrix is configured as a sheet having at least one substantially planar surface which is adapted to receive an adhesive thereon, and further includes adhesive disposed onto such side of the sheet for securing the sheet to the surface to be repaired, in order to form a firm anchor for the support of the repair compound to be applied thereto.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved flexible corner bead strip usable for reinforcing a drywall corner. The corner bead strip comprises first and second plastic strips each of which has a substantial longitudinal dimension and corresponding with the length of the drywall corner to be reinforced. Each of the first and second plastic strips also has a transverse dimension which defines a corner line formed from the respective central and abutting edges thereof. A flexible V-shaped hinge is disposed at the respective central and abutting edges of the first and second plastic strips forming a corner line to enhance retention of the first and second plastic strips in the bent position. A drywall compound adhering surface is formed and bounded by the exterior surface of the wings of the V-shaped hinge and the attached plastic strip surface which accommodating extends laterally thereacross for containing dry wall compound therewithin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved flexible corner bead strip usable for reinforcing a drywall corner. The corner bead strip comprises first and second plastic strips each of which has a substantial longitudinal dimension and corresponding with the length of the drywall corner to be reinforced. Each of the first and second plastic strips also has a transverse dimension which defines a corner line formed from the respective central and abutting edges thereof. A flexible joint is disposed at the respective central and abutting edges of the first and second plastic strips forming a corner line. The corner line functions to substantially flexibly secure the first and second plastic strips together and permits the first and second plastic strips to be bent at an angle corresponding with the angle of the drywall corner for securement thereto, thereby to reinforce the drywall corner. An adhesive layer is also disposed on at least one side of the first and second plastic strips.

Abstract: The improved vehicle body surface repair patch assembly of the present invention is suitable for use in conjunction with a vehicle body surface repair compound, and includes a thin and relatively rigid plate which may be of metal or plastic and which is perforated to receive in such perforations the vehicle body surface repair compound to provide substantial thickness and accordingly enhanced strength to the repair patch. Adhesive coating means are disposed on the back surface of the perforated sheet, and mesh means preferably formed of fiberglass mesh are secured to the front surface of the perforated plate to receive, to support and to hold the vehicle body surface repair compound, thereby to provide a matchingly contoured surface with that of the vehicle body surface to be repaired.