SUBSTRATE MOUNTING CLIP

Abstract

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.

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.

Claims

1. A substrate mounting clip, comprising:

a plate including a first side and a second side;

a first arm extends from the first side of the plate, wherein 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, wherein the second arm includes a second projection shaped and dimensioned to secure the plate to a second substrate proximate to the first substrate; and

an aperture is formed in the plate between the first arm and the second arm.

2. The substrate mounting clip of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first substrate or the second substrate is at least one of drywall, plasterboard, wallboard, gypsum board, or plywood.

3. The substrate mounting clip of claim 1, wherein the first side of the plate is spaced apart from the second side of the plate, wherein the aperture is formed in a substantially central region of the plate.

4. The substrate mounting clip of claim 1, wherein the mounting clip includes an indentation formed in the plate around the aperture, wherein the indentation is shaped and dimensioned to counter sink at least one of a screw head or a nail head.

5. The substrate mounting clip of claim 1, wherein the substrate mounting clip includes a coating configured to prevent the substrate mounting clip from rusting, wherein the coating includes at least one of phosphate or zinc.

6. The substrate mounting clip of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first projection or the second projection extends along a direction parallel to a depth direction of the aperture formed in the plate.

7. The substrate mounting clip of claim 1, wherein the first arm includes at least two pointed projections including pointed teeth extending along the direction parallel to the depth direction of the aperture formed in the plate, and wherein the second arm includes at least two projections including pointed teeth extending along the direction parallel to the depth direction of the aperture formed in the plate.

8. The substrate mounting clip of claim 1, wherein a first surface of the plate, a first surface of the first arm, and a first surface of the second arm form is substantially co-planar with each other, and

wherein 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.

9. The substrate mounting clip of claim 1, wherein the plate includes a substantially rectangular shape.