Drywall construction device

Abstract

A waterproof construction device formed from metal or plastic supports the bottom edge of a drywall wall in a spaced-apart relation to the floor. The inventive device consists of a basal contact region that rests on a floor at the base of a wall frame. A support region sized to support the lower edges of drywall sheets is elevated at least one quarter inch above the floor by an elevation region that connect the support region with the basal contact region. An attachment region contacts the wall frame and is in communication with the support region. The device is placed along the base of a wall frame in contact with both the floor and the wall frame, and the attachment region is fastened to the wall frame. Sheets of wallboard are then fastened to the wall frame with their lower edges resting on the support region. The base of the wall can then be finished by installation of a baseboard.

1 . A construction device for installation at a base of a drywall for preventing moisture damage to the drywall comprising: 
 a basal contact region disposed on a floor when the device is in use;    a support region for contacting a lower edge of a wallboard when the device is in use;    an elevation region connecting the basal contact region with the support region and raising the support region at least about one quarter of one inch above the floor when the device is in use; and    an attachment region in communication with the support region for fastening the device to frame members within a wall when the device is in use.    
   
   
       2 . The construction device according to  claim 1 , wherein a baseboard is placed to cover the device.  
   
   
       3 . The construction device according to  claim 1  extruded from metal or plastic.  
   
   
       4 . The construction device according to  claim 1  formed by bending a thin sheet of material.  
   
   
       5 . The construction device according to  claim 1 , wherein the support region and the basal contact region are substantially parallel to each other.  
   
   
       6 . The construction device according to  claim 1 , wherein the elevation region is substantially normal to the basal contact region.  
   
   
       7 . The construction device according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment region is substantially normal to the basal contact region.  
   
   
       8 . The construction device according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment region is substantially normal to the support region.  
   
   
       9 . The construction device according to  claim 1  further comprising an auxiliary region spaced apart from the attachment region and forming a channel therebetween into which a lower edge of a wallboard can be inserted.  
   
   
       10 . The construction device according to  claim 1 , wherein the elevation region is substantially in contact with a baseboard when in use in a completed wall.  
   
   
       11 . A method of constructing a drywall that is resistant to wicking moisture damage comprising the steps of: 
 constructing a frame of members;    placing a construction device in contact with the frame and in contact with a floor, wherein the construction device comprises: 
 a basal contact region in contact with the floor  
 a support region;  
 an elevation region connecting the basal contact region with the support region and raising the support region at least about one quarter of one inch above the floor; and 
 an attachment region in communication with the support region disposed in proximity to the frame members;  
 
 fastening the attachment region to the frame members; and  
   fastening sheets of drywall to the frame members with lower edges thereof in contact with the support region.    
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the construction device is extruded from metal or plastic.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the construction device is formed by bending a thin sheet of material.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the support region and the basal contact region are substantially parallel to each other.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the elevation region is substantially normal to the basal contact region.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the attachment region is substantially normal to the basal contact region.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the attachment region is substantially normal to the support region.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the construction device further comprises an auxiliary region spaced apart from the attachment region and forming a channel therebetween into which a lower edge of a wallboard can be inserted.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the elevation region is substantially in contact with a baseboard when in use in a completed wall.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 11  further comprising a step of applying a layer of adhesive to the construction device.