Tapered nut kit and methods of use

Abstract

A method for engaging a nut member with an elongate member extending from a subsurface of a building structure, whereby a clearance area above the subsurface of the building structure and surrounding the elongate member is occupied at least in part by the nut member while the surface is applied to the subsurface. The surfacing material is attached to the subsurface of the building structure proximate to the clearance area while the clearance area is so occupied and subsequently the nut member is disengaged from the elongate member to thereby vacate the clearance area previously occupied by the nut member. Also provided are kits comprising nut members alone or in combination with key members which cooperate with the nut members to disengage them from elongate members.

1 . A method which comprises: 
 (A) engaging a nut member with an elongate member extending from a subsurface of a building structure, whereby a clearance area above the subsurface of the building structure and surrounding the elongate member is occupied at least in part by the nut member;    (B) attaching one or more surfacing materials to at least a portion of the subsurface of the building structure proximate to the clearance area to form a surface while the clearance area is so occupied; and subsequently    (C) disengaging the nut member from the elongate member to thereby vacate the clearance area previously occupied by the nut member.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the nut member defines a tapered exterior side surface which is substantially straight in cross-section, the tapered exterior side surface being configured to facilitate disengagement of the nut member from the elongate member and any adjacent portion of the surfacing materials after the surfacing materials have been attached to the subsurface of the building structure.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the nut member defines an aperture sized and configured to receive the elongate member and wherein an interior surface of the nut member comprises a frictional surface which frictional surface is sized and configured to engage the elongate member sufficiently to inhibit free movement of the nut member relative to the elongate member along the longitudinal axis of the elongate member after the nut member is engaged with the elongate member.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein the frictional surface is formed at least in part by at least one annular ridge.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein the frictional surface is formed at least in part by a spiral ridge.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the elongate member comprises a threaded bolt and wherein the nut member defines a threaded aperture sized and configured to receive the threaded bolt.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the surfacing materials comprise one or more tiles.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 2  whereby either or both of steps (A) and (C) are carried out by applying force to a gripping portion of the nut member.  
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein the gripping portion defines a multi-sided shape.  
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 2  whereby either or both of steps (A) and (C) are carried out by wrenching of the nut member with a key member which key member forms a plurality of projecting pins, and wherein an exterior face of the nut member defines a plurality of recesses sized and configured to receive the plurality of projecting pins.  
   
   
       11 . A kit comprising at least one nut member for engagement with an elongate member extending from a subsurface of a building structure whereby engagement of the nut member with the elongate member provides a clearance area above the subsurface of the building structure and surrounding the elongate member, which clearance area is occupied at least in part by the nut member, and wherein the nut member defines a tapered exterior side surface which is substantially straight in cross-section and configured to facilitate disengagement of the nut member from the elongate member and any adjacent portion of one or more surfacing materials which have been attached to the subsurface of the building structure.  
   
   
       12 . A kit according to  claim 11  wherein the nut member defines an aperture sized and configured to receive the elongate member and wherein an interior surface of the nut member comprises a frictional surface which frictional surface is sized and configured to engage the elongate member sufficiently to inhibit free movement of the nut member relative to the elongate member along the longitudinal axis of the elongate member after the nut member is engaged with the elongate member.  
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein the frictional surface is formed at least in part by at least one annular ridge.  
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein the frictional surface is formed at least in part by a spiral ridge.  
   
   
       15 . A kit according to  claim 11  wherein the elongate member comprises a threaded bolt and the nut member defines a threaded aperture sized and configured to receive the threaded bolt.  
   
   
       16 . A kit according to  claim 11  wherein the nut member defines a gripping portion sized and configured to facilitate disengagement of the nut member from the elongate member when force is applied to the gripping portion.  
   
   
       17 . A kit according to  claim 16  wherein the gripping portion defines a multi-sided shape.  
   
   
       18 . A kit comprising: 
 (I) at least one o nut member for engagement with an elongate member extending from a subsurface of a building structure, which nut member defines a tapered exterior side surface which is substantially straight in cross-section and configured to facilitate disengagement of the nut member from the elongate member and any adjacent portion of one or more surfacing materials after the surfacing materials have been attached to the subsurface of the building structure to form a surface of the building structure; and    (II) at least one key member, sized and configured to cooperate with the nut member to disengage the nut member from the elongate member;    whereby engagement of the nut member with the elongate member causes the nut member to occupy at least in part a clearance area within the subsurface of the building structure and surrounding the elongate member.    
   
   
       19 . A kit according to  claim 18  wherein the nut member defines an aperture sized and configured to receive the elongate member and wherein an interior surface of the nut member comprises a frictional surface which frictional surface is sized and configured to engage the elongate member sufficiently to inhibit free movement of the nut member relative to the elongate member along the longitudinal axis of the elongate member after the nut member is engaged with the elongate member.  
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein the frictional surface is formed at least in part by at least one annular ridge.  
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein the frictional surface is formed at least in part by a spiral ridge.  
   
   
       22 . A kit according to  claim 18  wherein the elongate member comprises a threaded bolt and the nut member defines a threaded aperture sized and configured to receive the threaded bolt.  
   
   
       23 . A kit according to  claim 18  wherein an exterior face of the nut member defines a plurality of recesses therein, the key member forms a plurality of projecting pins, and the projecting pins of the key member are sized and configured to engage with the recesses of the exterior face of the nut member during disengagement of the nut member from the elongate member.