Mounting member for wallboard panel

Abstract

The mounting member ( 10 ) includes a convex-concave section ( 24, 24 A, 24 B) between two edge strips ( 16, 20 ). Edge strip ( 16 ) is connected to framing by a screw ( 18 ) and edge strip ( 20 ) is secured to wallboard ( 14 ) by a screw ( 22 ). An inward push on the wallboard ( 14 ) causes the convex-concave section ( 24, 24 A, 24 B) to compress, allowing the wallboard paneling ( 12 ) to move towards the framing ( 12 ). When the force on the wallboard ( 14 ) is removed, the concave-convex section ( 24, 24 A, 24 B) functions as a spring and moves the wallboard ( 14 ) outwardly from the framing ( 12 ) to a static position (FIGS. 2, 4 and 6 ).

1 . A mounting member for a wallboard panel, comprising:
 an elongated sheet metal member having parallel first and second opposite edge portions and a central portion extending between and interconnecting the edge portions;   wherein said first edge portion is adapted to be connected to framing members and the second edge portion is adapted to be contacted by a wallboard panel and receive fasteners extending through the wallboard panel into said second edge portion; and   said central portion having a convex-concave curvature where it connects to the second edge portion, said convex curvature being directed towards the wallboard panel and the concave curvature being directed towards the framing members.   
   
   
       2 . The mounting member of  claim 1 , wherein the central portion has a substantially flat section between the convex-concave section and the first edge portion. 
   
   
       3 . The mounting member of  claim 2 , wherein the substantially flat section of the central portion extends at an angle from the first edge portion. 
   
   
       4 . The mounting member of  claim 1 , wherein the convex-concave section of the central portion extends away from the first edge strip as it curves from the first edge strip to the second edge strip. 
   
   
       5 . The mounting member of  claim 1 , wherein the convex-concave section of the central portion curves substantially continuously from the first edge portion to the second edge portion and the curvature is substantially semi circular. 
   
   
       6 . The mounting member of  claim 5 , wherein the convex-concave curved section of the mounting member is substantially completely convex on its side directed towards the first edge portion and substantially completely concave on its opposite side.