Method and apparatus for supporting sheeting materials

Abstract

A device for stabilizing a sheet material to a stud member includes two side members that sandwich the stud member and a back member joining the two side members together. One or more protrusions may extend inward from one or both of the side members so that the device is frictionally fit and secured to the stud member. A shelf extends away and outward from the back member so that the sheet material can be placed on the shelf before the sheet member is fastened to the stud member. The device can include an angled portion at the bottom of the back member so that a hammer can apply a force to the angled portion to cause the device to move away from the stud member for removal.

1 . A tool for positioning a sheet member, comprising:
 a pair of side members configured to straddle a stud member, each of the pair of side members having a front side, a back side opposite the front side, a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side;   a back member disposed between the back side of each of the pair of side members;   at least one protrusion extending inward from the top side of at least one of the pair of side members;   a shelf extending at a first angle away from a top portion of the back member, the top portion of the back member disposed between the back side of each of the pair of side members adjacent the top side thereof; and   an angled portion extending at a second angle away from a bottom portion of the back member, the bottom portion of the back member disposed between the back side of each of the pair of side members adjacent the bottom side thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a lip extending at a third angle at a distal end of the shelf. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first angle is substantially a right angle. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 2 , wherein the third angle is substantially a right angle. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 2 , wherein the second angle is from about 10 to about 45 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 2 , further comprising an extension extending at a fourth angle at a distal edge of the angled portion. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one protrusion is at least two protrusions disposed along a top edge of both of the pair of side members, wherein a distance between opposing ones of the at least two protrusions is smaller than a width of the stud member. 
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of an outer edge of the pair of side members is rounded. 
     
     
         9 . A tool for positioning a sheet member, comprising:
 a pair of side members configured to straddle a stud member, each of the pair of side members having a front side, a back side opposite the front side, a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side, wherein at least a portion of an outer edge of the pair of side members is rounded;   a back member disposed between the back side of each of the pair of side members;   at least one protrusion extending inward from the top side of each of the pair of side members, the at least one protrusion positioned along a top edge of the side members;   a shelf extending at a first angle away from a top portion of the back member, the top portion of the back member disposed between the back side of each of the pair of side members adjacent the top side thereof;   a lip extending at a third angle at a distal end of the shelf; and   an angled portion extending at a second angle away from a bottom portion of the back member, the bottom portion of the back member disposed between the back side of each of the pair of side members adjacent the bottom side thereof.   
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 9 , wherein the first angle is substantially a right angle. 
     
     
         11 . The tool of  claim 9 , wherein the third angle is substantially a right angle. 
     
     
         12 . The tool of  claim 9 , wherein the second angle is from about 10 to about 45 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The tool of  claim 9 , further comprising an extension extending at a fourth angle at a distal edge of the angled portion. 
     
     
         14 . A method for stabilizing a sheet material onto a stud member, comprising:
 positioning a tool onto the stud member, the tool having a pair of side members configured to straddle the stud member, each of the pair of side members having a front side, a back side opposite the front side, a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side, a back member disposed between the back side of each of the pair of side members, at least one protrusion extending inward from the top side of at least one of the pair of side members, a shelf extending at a first angle away from a top portion of the back member, and an angled portion extending at a second angle away from a bottom portion of the back member adjacent the bottom side of the side members, wherein the at least one protrusion frictionally secures the tool onto the stud member;   placing the sheet material onto the shelf of the tool;   securing the sheet material to the stud member; and   applying a force to the angled portion to cause a portion of the tool to move away from the stud member; and   removing the tool from the stud member.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the tool includes a lip extending at a third angle at a distal end of the shelf. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one protrusion is at least two protrusions disposed along a top edge of both of the pair of side members, wherein a distance between opposing ones of the at least two protrusions is smaller than a width of the stud member.