Support bracket to suspend sheet material for a wall

Abstract

A bracket has outwardly projecting support arms for use in installing a panel of sheet material, such as drywall or sheet rock, on a wall frame. The bracket has a base with one or more through-holes for temporarily attaching the bracket to a vertical stud of the wall frame. The support arms of the bracket extend horizontally from the bracket to support the lower edge of a panel of sheet material. By using a pair of brackets, an installer can position and support a large panel of sheet material at an elevated pre-assembly location on the wall frame without the help of an assistant. After the brackets have been attached to the wall frame, a panel of sheet material is installed by first resting the sheet on the support arms of the brackets and then positioning and fastening the panel to the wall. The brackets can then be removed and be reused to install a new panel of sheet material over another area of the wall frame. The bracket includes a flange that can be easily grasped by either hand while installing or removing the bracket.

1 . A bracket for use in installing sheet material on a wall frame of the type including one or more studs, comprising: 
 a base having an upper end, a lower end and a contact surface extending there between for abutting against a wall frame stud;    the base being intersected by one or more holes through which a fastener may be driven into a stud to firmly attach the bracket to the stud; and    a first L-shaped support arm disposed on the base, the support arm projecting outwardly from the upper end and away from the base.    
   
   
       2 . The bracket as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a second L-shaped support arm, the second support arm being vertically spaced from the first support arm, the second support arm projecting outwardly from the lower end and away from the base.  
   
   
       3 . The bracket as set forth in  claim 2 , including a first flange joining the first support arm and the second support arm along one side of the base.  
   
   
       4 . The bracket as set forth in  claim 3 , including a second flange that extends outwardly and laterally relative to the first flange to provide means for grasping the bracket.  
   
   
       5 . The bracket as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the bracket is a unitary molded structure made of a plastic material.  
   
   
       6 . The bracket as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the base is intersected by a second hole through which a fastener may be driven into a stud to firmly attach the bracket to the stud.  
   
   
       7 . A bracket for use in installing sheet material on a wall, comprising: 
 a base having a substantially flat surface for abutting against a side surface of a stud of said wall;    the base forming at least one hole through which a threaded fastener may be driven into a stud to firmly attach the bracket to the stud; and    the base having a pair of vertically spaced apart, horizontal, outwardly projecting, oppositely directed L-shaped support arms.    
   
   
       8 . The bracket as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the support arms are joined along one side of said base by a first outwardly projecting flange for reinforcing the support arms.  
   
   
       9 . The bracket as set forth in  claim 7 , further comprising a second flange that extends outwardly and sideways relative to the first flange to provide means for grasping the bracket.  
   
   
       10 . The bracket as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the bracket is an integral unit of injection molded plastic material.  
   
   
       11 . The bracket as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the base is intersected by a second hole through which a threaded fastener may be driven into a stud to firmly attach the bracket to the stud.