Method for installing wallboards in an outside-corner configuration

Abstract

A method for installing a wallboard in an outside-corner configuration includes inserting an end of the wallboard into a first channel of a wallboard-fastening device, placing an inner corner of the device against a corner of a framing member, and driving a fastener through a second framing panel of the device to secure the device to the framing member. The inner corner is formed where the second framing panel meets, at a right angle, a first framing panel. The first channel is formed by the first framing panel, a bridge panel, and a flat-spring flange that forms a step with the bridge panel. Mud applied over the flat-spring flange, and up to the step, covers the seam formed where the flat-spring flange contacts the wallboard. A second wallboard may be inserted into a second channel of the device such that the two wallboards are perpendicular.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for installing a wallboard in an outside-corner configuration, wherein:
 a wallboard-fastening device comprises:
 first and second framing panels joined lengthwise to each other to form an inner corner; 
 first and second corner panels joined lengthwise to each other such that an outside angle between the first and second corner panels is greater than 270°; 
 a first bridge panel joined lengthwise to the first corner panel and the inner corner; 
 a second bridge panel joined lengthwise to the second corner panel and the inner corner; 
 a first flat-spring flange joined lengthwise to the first bridge panel such that the first flat-spring flange, the first bridge panel, and the first framing panel form a first channel, the first flat-spring flange forming a first step with the first corner panel; and 
 a second flat-spring flange joined lengthwise to the second bridge panel such that the second flat-spring flange, the second bridge panel, and the second framing panel form a second channel, the second flat-spring flange forming a second step with the second corner panel; and 
   the method comprises:
 inserting an end of the wallboard into the first channel of the wallboard-fastening device; 
 placing the inner corner of the wallboard-fastening device against a corner of a framing member; and 
 driving a fastener through the second framing panel to secure the wallboard-fastening device to the framing member. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said driving occurs (i) with the end of the wallboard inserted into the first channel and (ii) with no additional wallboard inserted into the second channel. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying, after said driving, joint compound over the first flat-spring flange and up to the first step. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said applying joint compound comprises applying joint compound over an outward-facing surface of the first flat-spring flange, the outward-facing surface being textured to receive the joint compound. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said applying joint compound over the outward facing surface of the first flat-spring flange comprises applying joint compound over ridges formed by the outward facing surface of the first flat-spring flange. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first flat-spring flange pushes the wallboard against the first framing panel when the end of the wallboard is in the first channel. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said inserting comprises:
 applying a force to the first flat-spring flange to open the first channel;   pushing the end of the wallboard into the opened first channel; and   releasing the first flat-spring flange after the end of the wallboard is inside the first channel.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising affixing a second end of the wallboard to a second framing member. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising inserting, after said driving, an end of a second wallboard into the second channel of the wallboard-fastening device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second flat-spring flange pushes the second wallboard against the second framing panel when the end of the second wallboard is in the second channel. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said inserting comprises:
 applying a force to the second flat-spring flange to open the second channel;   pushing the end of the second wallboard into the opened second channel; and   releasing the second flat-spring flange after the end of the second wallboard is inside the second channel.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein no fastener passes through the end of the second wallboard to enter the second framing member. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising applying, after said driving, joint compound over the second flat-spring flange and up to the second step. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said applying joint compound comprises applying joint compound over an outward-facing surface of the second flat-spring flange, the outward-facing surface being textured to receive the joint compound. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said applying joint compound over the outward facing surface of the second flat-spring flange comprises applying joint compound over ridges formed by the outward facing surface of the second flat-spring flange. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising affixing a second end of the second wallboard to a second framing member. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , the inner corner forming an inner angle of 90°. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the wallboard, when inserted into the first channel, and the second wallboard, when inserted into the second channel, are perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said driving comprises driving the fastener through a fastener hole formed by the second framing panel. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , the outside angle being 271 degrees or more.