Retainer for cut wallboard and method of using the same

Abstract

The retainer for cut wallboard is a device for repairing a piece of wallboard from which a smaller piece has been removed. The retainer includes a closed band having opposed inner and outer faces and opposed first and second edges. A plurality of outer retaining members are attached to the first edge of the closed band, with the plurality of outer retaining members extending outwardly therefrom. Further, a plurality of inner retaining members are attached to the second edge of the closed band, with the plurality of inner retaining members extending inwardly therefrom. A plurality of resilient members are further attached to the first edge of the closed band and also extend inwardly therefrom.

1 . A retainer for cut wallboard, comprising:
 a closed band having opposed inner and outer faces and opposed first and second edges;   a plurality of outer retaining members attached to the first edge of the closed band, the plurality of outer retaining members projecting outwardly from the closed band;   a plurality of inner retaining members attached to the second edge of the closed band, the plurality of inner retaining members projecting inwardly from the closed band; and   a plurality of resilient members attached to the first edge of the closed band and extending inwardly therefrom;   whereby, a piece of wallboard may be repaired by positioning the closed band within a hole formed in the piece of wallboard so that the outer face thereof contacts a boundary edge defining the hole and the plurality of outer retaining members contact an outer surface of the piece of wallboard, a cut piece of wallboard being received within an interior region of the closed band so that a rear surface of the cut piece of wallboard contacts the plurality of inner retaining members and a circumferential edge of the cut piece of wallboard is held by the plurality of resilient members by resilient engagement therewith.   
     
     
         2 . The retainer for cut wallboard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said closed band has a selectively adjustable circumference. 
     
     
         3 . The retainer for cut wallboard as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising a buckle, said closed band having first and second free ends releasably and adjustably secured to one another by the buckle. 
     
     
         4 . The retainer for cut wallboard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each said outer retaining member has a corresponding one of said inner retaining members associated therewith and positioned adjacent thereto. 
     
     
         5 . The retainer for cut wallboard as recited in  claim 4 , wherein each said outer retaining member and each said inner retaining member is substantially rectangular. 
     
     
         6 . A retainer for cut wallboard, comprising a plurality of retaining clips, each of the clips having:
 a pair of outer retaining members;   an inner retaining member; and   a resilient member;   whereby, a piece of wallboard may be repaired by positioning the plurality of retaining clips within a hole formed in the piece of wallboard so that the outer retaining members grip a boundary edge defining the hole and the inner retaining members and resilient members extend inwardly with respect to the boundary edge defining the hole, a cut piece of wallboard being received within the hole so that a rear surface of the cut piece of wallboard contacts the inner retaining members and a circumferential edge of the cut piece of wallboard is held by the resilient members by resilient engagement therewith.   
     
     
         7 . The retainer for cut wallboard as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said resilient member is substantially triangular. 
     
     
         8 . The retainer for cut wallboard as recited in  claim 6 , wherein each said retaining clip further comprises a central support having opposed first and second ends, one of said outer retaining members being secured to the first end thereof, the other of said outer retaining members being secured to the second end thereof, the resilient member being secured to the first end thereof, and the inner retaining member being secured to the second end thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A method of repairing cut wallboard, comprising the steps of:
 providing a retainer having a closed band, the closed band having opposed inner and outer faces and opposed first and second edges, the retainer further having a plurality of outer retaining members attached to the first edge of the closed band and extending outwardly therefrom, a plurality of inner retaining members attached to the second edge of the closed band and extending inwardly therefrom, and a plurality of resilient members attached to the first edge of the closed band and extending inwardly therefrom;   positioning the closed band within a hole formed in a piece of wallboard so that the outer face thereof contacts a boundary edge defining the hole and the plurality of outer retaining members contact an outer surface of the piece of wallboard;   inserting a cut piece of wallboard within an interior region of the closed band so that a rear surface of the cut piece of wallboard contacts the plurality of inner retaining members;   biasing a circumferential edge of the cut piece of wallboard against the plurality of resilient members to hold the cut piece of wallboard within the interior region of the closed band;   securing a piece of mesh to the piece of wallboard and covering the cut piece of wallboard, the hole and the retainer with the piece of mesh; and   covering the cut piece of wallboard, the hole, the retainer and the piece of mesh with a layer of joint compound.   
     
     
         10 . The method of repairing cut wallboard as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising the step of adjusting a circumference of the closed band to mate with the hole formed in the piece of wallboard.