Systems and methods for providing structural support and reinforcement

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing structural support and reinforcement for surfaces, materials and devices, including drywall. A structural support and reinforcement system includes one or more structural support and reinforcement panels located behind one or more surfaces, materials and/or devices. In one embodiment, the structural support and reinforcement panel is placed between the structural studs and a desired section of drywall during original construction. In another embodiment, the structural support and reinforcement panel is placed between the structural studs and the desired section of drywall during repair or renovation. A user can apply an external load to the drywall by way of an attachment device, such as a screw, which extends through the drywall and the structural support and reinforcement panel. By attaching the external load through the drywall and the structural support and reinforcement panel the load bearing capacity of the drywall is enhanced.

1 . A structural support and reinforcement system, comprising:
 a structural stud having a first surface;   a structural support and reinforcement panel secured to the first surface of the structural stud; and   drywall secured over the structural support and reinforcement panel to the first surface of the structural stud.   
     
     
         2 . A structural support and reinforcement system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the reinforcement panel located between the structural stud and the drywall. 
     
     
         3 . A structural support and reinforcement system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising an attachment device extending through the drywall and into the structural support and reinforcement panel. 
     
     
         4 . A structural support and reinforcement system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the attachment device enables a load to be applied onto the drywall, and wherein the structural support and reinforcement panel increases the load bearing capacity of the drywall to support the load. 
     
     
         5 . A structural support and reinforcement system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a second structural stud, wherein at least a portion of the structural support and reinforcement panel is extends between the structural studs. 
     
     
         6 . A structural support and reinforcement system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the structural support and reinforcement panel comprises a perforated material. 
     
     
         7 . A structural support and reinforcement system as recited in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the structural support and reinforcement panel comprises a mesh material.   
     
     
         8 . A structural support and reinforcement system as recited in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the structural support and reinforcement panel comprises a brake.   
     
     
         9 . A structural support and reinforcement system as recited in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the structural support and reinforcement panel comprises a flange.   
     
     
         10 . A structural support and reinforcement device, comprising:
 a rigid material having a front surface and a back surface, wherein the material is configured to be coupled to one or more supports, and wherein the material is configured to provide structural support and backing.   
     
     
         11 . A structural support and reinforcement device as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the supports are wall supports. 
     
     
         12 . A structural support and reinforcement device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the structural support and reinforcement device is configured to extend between a plurality of the wall supports. 
     
     
         13 . A structural support and reinforcement device as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the structural support and backing is provided to a back surface of at least one of: (i) a liner; (ii) an insert, (iii) an inlay, (iv) a packing, (v) a pad, (vi) a footing, (vii) a pan; (viii) a device; and (ix) a material. 
     
     
         14 . A reinforcement backing device comprising:
 a rigid material having a front surface and a back surface, wherein the rigid material is configured to be coupled to one or more structural studs, to provide structural support and backing to drywall, and to receive an attachment device extending through the drywall to increase a load bearing capacity of the drywall.   
     
     
         15 . A reinforcement backing device as recited in  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the rigid material is configured to extend between a plurality of the structural studs. 
     
     
         16 . A reinforcement backing device as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the attachment device enables a load to be applied onto the drywall, and wherein the rigid material increases the load bearing capacity of the drywall to support the load. 
     
     
         17 . A reinforcement backing device as recited in  claim 14 , rigid material comprises a perforated material. 
     
     
         18 . A reinforcement backing device as recited in  claim 14 , rigid material comprises a mesh material. 
     
     
         19 . A reinforcement backing device as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a brake. 
     
     
         20 . A reinforcement backing device as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a flange.