Wallboard fastening device with guide flange

Abstract

A method for installing first and second wallboards uses a wallboard fastening device that secures the wallboards to a framing member without fasteners passing through the wallboards. The device includes first and second framing panels joined along lengthwise edges at a frame seam to form a two-sided frame that fits around the framing member. The device includes first and second flat-spring flanges joined along lengthwise edges at a front seam. The device includes a channel-dividing panel joined lengthwise to the front seam and to the second framing panel to form first and second channels that are sized to receive edges of the wallboards. The device includes a guide flange joined lengthwise to the frame seam. A corner edge of the second wallboard may be pushed against the guide flange such that the corner edge slides along the guide flange, thereby guiding the second wallboard into the second channel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for installing first and second wallboards, comprising:
 inserting a first wallboard into a first channel of a wallboard fastening device, the wallboard fastening device comprising:
 first and second framing panels joined lengthwise to each other to form a frame; 
 first and second flat-spring flanges joined lengthwise to each other; 
 a channel-dividing panel having first and second channel-dividing-panel edges, the first channel-dividing-panel edge being joined lengthwise to one or both of the first and second flat-spring flanges, the second channel-dividing-panel edge being joined lengthwise to the second framing panel to divide the second framing panel into first and second portions; and 
 a guide flange joined lengthwise to the second framing panel; 
 wherein (i) the channel-dividing panel, first flat-spring flange, and first portion of the second framing panel form the first channel and (ii) the channel-dividing panel, second flat-spring flange, and second portion of the second framing panel form a second channel; 
   affixing the wallboard fastening device to a side face of a framing member by passing one or more fasteners through the first framing panel and the side face; and   inserting a second wallboard into the second channel of the wallboard fastening device, wherein said inserting the second wallboard comprises:
 applying a force to the second flat-spring flange to open the second channel; and 
 pushing the second wallboard such that a corner of the second wallboard glides along the guide flange to enter the second channel. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the method further comprises releasing the second flat-spring flange after the second wallboard is in the second channel; and   the second flat-spring flange flexes to exert a restoring force that pushes the second wallboard against the second portion of the second framing panel to secure the second wallboard relative to the framing member.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the second flat-spring flange secures the second wallboard without any fastener passing through the second wallboard. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said applying the force and said pushing the second wallboard occur simultaneously. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said inserting the first wallboard comprises:
 applying a force to the first flat-spring flange to open the first channel; and   pushing the wallboard fastening device onto the first wallboard such that the first wallboard enters the first channel.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the method further comprises releasing the first flat-spring flange after the first wallboard is in the first channel; and   the first flat-spring flange flexes to exert a restoring force that pushes the first wallboard against the first portion of the second framing panel to secure the first wallboard relative to the framing member.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first flat-spring flange secures the first wallboard without any fastener passing through the first wallboard. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said applying the force to the first flat-spring flange and said pushing the wallboard fastening device occur simultaneously. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying mud over outward-facing surfaces of the first and second flat-spring flanges. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said affixing comprises piercing the first framing panel with each fastener, of the one or more fasteners, such that said each fastener creates a hole in the first framing panel. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said affixing comprises passing each fastener, of the one or more fasteners, through a pre-formed hole in the first framing panel. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said affixing occurs after said inserting the first wallboard. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said inserting the second wallboard occurs after said affixing. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said affixing comprises positioning the frame against a corner of the framing member such that (i) the first framing panel lies against the side face of the framing member and (ii) the second framing panel lies against an outward face of the framing member. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising contacting the corner of the second wallboard against the guide flange such that the second wallboard forms an installation angle relative to a plane of the first wallboard when the first wallboard is in the first channel. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the installation angle is between 25 and 30 degrees. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second wallboards, when inserted into the respective first and second channels, form an edge-joint configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said inserting the first wallboard comprises inserting a first tapered edge of the first wallboard into the first channel; and   said inserting the second wallboard comprises inserting a second tapered edge of the second wallboard into the second channel.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said inserting the first wallboard comprises inserting a first untapered edge of the first wallboard into the first channel; and   said inserting the second wallboard comprises inserting a second untapered edge of the second wallboard into the second channel.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the framing member extends vertically; and   the wallboard fastening device, when affixed to the framing member, extends vertically.