Sheet material support device and method

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a sheet material support device that may be mounted on a framing component, such as a stud. The sheet material support device provides one or more mounting surfaces to which sheet material may be attached. In some embodiments, the sheet material support device may be configured to grip the stud.

1 . A sheet material support device to be secured to a stud and configured to support a plurality of sheet materials, the sheet material support device comprising:
 a front mounting surface;   a plurality of side mounting surfaces, each of the plurality of side mounting surfaces extending from a respective side of the front mounting surface, the front mounting surface in combination with the plurality of side mounting surfaces being configured to be secured to the stud; and   a plurality of fastening receiving members, each of the fastening receiving members extending outwardly from a respective side mounting surface and configured to at least partially support a respective one of the plurality of sheet materials.   
     
     
         2 . The sheet material support device of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of side mounting surfaces extend from a respective side of the front mounting surface at an acute angle. 
     
     
         3 . The sheet material support device of  claim 2  wherein the angle is between approximately 87° and 89°. 
     
     
         4 . The sheet material support device of  claim 1  wherein an surface of each of the fastening receiving members is corrugated. 
     
     
         5 . The sheet material support device of  claim 1  further comprising backing members coupled to an end of the fastening receiving members and configured to abut a surface of the stud. 
     
     
         6 . The sheet material support device of  claim 1  wherein the front mounting surface includes at least one longitudinal groove extending along a surface thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The sheet material support device of  claim 1  wherein the front mounting surface, the plurality of side mounting surfaces, and the plurality of fastening receiving members are molded as a single plastic piece. 
     
     
         8 . The sheet material support device of  claim 1  wherein each of the fastening receiving members extend from a respective side mounting surface in a plane substantially parallel with the front mounting surface. 
     
     
         9 . An assembly comprising:
 a framing component;   a sheet material support device secured to the framing component, the sheet material support device including a front mounting surface, a plurality of side mounting surfaces, and a plurality of fastening receiving members, each of the plurality of side mounting surfaces extending outwardly from a respective side of the front mounting surface, each of the fastening receiving members extending from a respective side mounting surface; and   a respective sheet material secured to each of the fastening receiving members.   
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9  wherein each of the plurality of side mounting surfaces extend from a respective side of the front mounting surface at an acute angle. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 9  wherein the angle is between approximately 85° and 89°. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 9  further comprising backing members coupled to an end of the fastening receiving members and configured to abut a surface of the framing component. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 9  wherein the sheet material support device is secured to the framing component with at least one fastener device. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 13  wherein the front mounting surface includes at least one groove to receive the at least one fastener device. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 9  wherein framing component is a stud. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 9  wherein each of the fastening receiving members extend in a plane parallel to a surface of the framing component. 
     
     
         17 . A method of providing a surface for installing sheet material using a sheet material support device, the sheet material support device including a front mounting surface, a first and second side mounting surface, and a plurality of fastening receiving members, each of the plurality of side mounting surfaces extending outwardly from a respective side of the front mounting surface, each of the fastening receiving members extending from a respective side mounting surface, the method comprising:
 separating a portion of the first side surface from a portion of the second side surface;   placing the sheet material support device around a framing component;   releasing the first and side mounting surfaces to allow the first and second side mounting surfaces to abut a respective surface of the framing component;   securing the front mounting surface to the framing component; and   securing a sheet material to one of the side mounting surfaces.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein securing the front mounting surface to the framing component comprises securing the front mounting surface to the framing component with a screw, a nail, or a stapler. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein releasing the first and side mounting surfaces causes the sheet material support device to grip the framing component. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein each of the plurality of side mounting surfaces extend from a respective side of the front mounting surface at an acute angle.