Drywall corner finishing device

Abstract

A finishing device used to form a corner between two panels of drywall has a flexible joint extending along a predetermined axis. Two wings are connected to and extend outwardly in a diverging relation from the flexible joint to form a corner having an adjustable angle. Each wing has a front surface, a rear surface, and an edge distal from the flexible joint. The device is adjustable to fit various thicknesses of drywall panel. A layer of primer or adhesive laminate is applied to the front surface of the wings so that paint can bond to the front surface. The finishing device is capable of forming both inside and outside corners. To form inside and outside corners, the finishing device bends along the flexible joint.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A finishing device for use in forming a joint or a corner between two panels of drywall having edges of a predetermined thickness, said finishing device comprising two wings each having a front and rear surface, said front and rear surface having inner and outer edges, reinforcing structure extending between the front and rear surfaces of each of the two wings, the inner edges of the two wings being joined at a flexible joint extending along a longitudinal axis, the inner edges of the rear surface being spaced apart from each other outwardly of the flexible joint, the portions of said front and rear surfaces adjacent the outer edges of said front and rear surfaces being free of reinforcing structure, the outer portion of the rear surface forming a longitudinal hinge with the adjacent reinforcing structure whereby the outer portion of the rear surface of each wing may pivot rearwardly to receive drywall panels of different thicknesses.  
     
     
         2 . The drywall corner finishing device of  claim 1  wherein said flexible joint has a front surface and a rear surface and the rear surface of the flexible joint includes opposite inwardly tapered portions.  
     
     
         3 . The drywall corner finishing device of  claim 1  wherein said flexible joint has a front surface and a rear surface and the front and rear surfaces of the flexible joint are essentially parallel to each other.  
     
     
         4 . The drywall corner finishing device of  claim 1  wherein said front and rear surfaces of each wing converge toward each other in a direction outwardly of said flexible joint.  
     
     
         5 . The drywall corner finishing device of  claim 1  wherein the said reinforcing structure further comprises a plurality of struts extending between said front and rear surfaces of each wing.  
     
     
         6 . The drywall corner finishing device of  claim 1  wherein said outward portion of said rear surface of each wing provides a flange for attaching said finishing device to framing.  
     
     
         7 . The drywall corner finishing device of  claim 1  wherein said finishing device can be folded to a plurality of angles at said flexible joint so as to form inside or outside corners having a plurality of angles.  
     
     
         8 . The drywall corner finishing device of  claim 1  wherein said front surface is covered by a primer or laminate.  
     
     
         9 . The drywall corner finishing device of  claim 1  wherein said front surface is covered with an extensible paper laminate affixed by an adhesive which remains pliable and does not negate the extensible properties of the paper laminate under normal working conditions.  
     
     
         10 . The drywall corner finishing device of  claim 1  in combination with a block positioned adjacent to the rear surface of a wing when used with a drywall panel which is thicker than the normal opening between the outer portions of the front and rear surfaces of the wing, to allow the drywall panel and the device to remain parallel to the framing surface on which the drywall panel and device are affixed.  
     
     
         11 . The drywall corner finishing device of  claim 1  wherein the inside surface of the outer portion of said front and rear surfaces is affixed by an adhesive to the drywall panel which is being used with the device.  
     
     
         12 . A method of finishing an inside or outside drywall corner, the corner having two side walls, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a finishing device having two wings each having a front and rear surface, said front and rear surface having inner and outer edges, reinforcing structure extending between the front and rear surfaces of each of the two wings, the inner edges of the two wings being joined at a flexible joint extending along a longitudinal axis, the inner edges of the rear surface being spaced apart from each other outwardly of the flexible joint, the portions of said front and rear surfaces adjacent the outer edges of said front and rear surfaces being free of reinforcing structure, the outer portion of the rear surface forming a longitudinal hinge with the adjacent reinforcing structure whereby the outer portion of the rear surface of each wing may pivot rearwardly to receive drywall panels of different thicknesses;    inserting a drywall panel into the space between the front and rear surface of each wing.    bending the finishing device at the flexible joint to form the desired angle between the inserted drywall panels;    affixing the finishing device to the framing surface;    applying plaster or plaster alternative in the area where the finishing device and drywall panels meet to create a smooth, level surface between the device and panels;    allowing the plaster or plaster alternative to dry; and    applying paint or other surface covering to the installed finishing device and drywall panels.    
     
     
         13 . A method of finishing an inside or outside drywall corner, the corner having two side walls, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a finishing device having two wings each having a front and rear surface, said front and rear surface having inner and outer edges, reinforcing structure extending between the front and rear surfaces of each of the two wings, the inner edges of the two wings being joined at a flexible joint extending along a longitudinal axis, the inner edges of the rear surface being spaced apart from each other outwardly of the flexible joint, the portions of said front and rear surfaces adjacent the outer edges of said front and rear surfaces being free of reinforcing structure, the outer portion of the rear surface forming a longitudinal hinge with the adjacent reinforcing structure whereby the outer portion of the rear surface of each wing may pivot rearwardly to receive drywall panels of different thicknesses;    cutting the finishing device to a length to fit the drywall corner;    applying an adhesive to the inside surface of the outer portion of the front and rear surfaces;    inserting a drywall panel into the space between the front and rear surface of each wing.    bending the finishing device at the flexible joint to form the desired angle between the inserted drywall panels;    if necessary, placing shims between the device and a framing surface;    affixing the finishing device to the framing surface;    applying plaster or plaster alternative in the area where the finishing device and drywall panels meet to create a smooth, level surface between the device and panels;    allowing the plaster or plaster alternative to dry; and    applying paint or other surface covering to the installed finishing device and drywall panels.    
     
     
         14 . The method as in  claim 13  wherein said finishing device is affixed to the framing surface with fasteners which are driven through the drywall panel and the outer portion of the rear surface, into the framing surface.  
     
     
         15 . The method as in  claim 14  wherein if the inserted drywall panel is thicker than the normal space between the outer portions of the front and rear surfaces, a block is placed adjacent to the rear surface of each wing which accommodates the drywall panel which is thicker than the normal space, to allow the drywall panel and the device to remain parallel to the framing surface on which the drywall panel and device are affixed.