Wallboard appurtenance attachment

• US 20070235622A1
• Filed: 02/14/2007
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Herbert Woiczyk, Kerry Baran
• Original Assignee: Herbert Woiczyk, Kerry Baran
• Inventors: Woiczyk, Herbert, Baran, Kerry
• Application Number:
  US11/706,839
• Publication Number:
  US 20070235622A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/546
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/027 Cantilever shelves
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0823 Article supports for peg-boards
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/20 Picture hooks; X-hooks plugs or hooks for general use F16B13/00, F16B45/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47H 1/102 for mounting curtain rods A47H1/12, A47H1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 15/00 Nails; Staples surgical staples A61B17/064; manufacture of nails or staples B21G ; drawing-pins, thumb-tacks B43M15/00; railway spikes E01B9/06
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 15/0023 Nail plates
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 35/00 Screw-bolts; Stay-bolts; Screw-threaded studs; Screws; Set screws F16B33/008 takes precedence; joining sheets or plates using screws with two separate threads F16B5/0275; using screws with adjustment sleeves F16B5/0283; thread cutting screws F16B25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 45/00 Hooks; Eyes if the attaching parts or means are concerned, groups F16B13/00, F16B15/00, F16B19/00, F16B25/00, F16B35/00, F16B47/00 take precedence; for hanging pictures or the like A47G1/16; towing hooks for ships B63B21/58; for hoisting or hauling purposes B66C; hooks or eyes with integral parts designed to facilitate quick attachment to cables or ropes at any point F16G11/14

Abstract

The present invention serves to anchor appurtenances to wallboards without requiring a hollow void or cavity behind the wallboard and providing a secure stable attachment. In preferred embodiments, the wallboard anchor of the present invention has an arcuate shank or prong, having a distal point, that is inserted into the wallboard on an upward curved path, a wall engaging portion proximate the arcuate prong contacts and engages the outer surface of the wall. Preferably, the wall-engaging portion presents a vertical flat surface and the arcuate prong extends directly from the flat surface of the wall-engaging portion, initially perpendicularly from the, and then sweeps upwardly with a radius of curvature. The radius of curvature is preferably about equal to or less than the thickness of the wallboard to which the appurtenance is attached. The appurtenance with the wallboard anchor attached is attached by inserting the prongs into the wallboard horizontally and rotating the appurtenance downwardly toward the wall to seat the appurtenance against the wall. Removal is by rotating the lower portion upwardly away from the wall.

Claims

1. A method of securing an appurtenance to a wall, the wall having a wallboard, the wallboard having a thickness and comprising a gypsum core with sheathing material on an interior surface and an outer exposed surface, the appurtenance having an upright attachment position, a front side for facing away from the wall and a back side for facing the wall, the appurtenance having a wall confronting region on said back side, said wall confronting region having an upper most top edge on the wall confronting region, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a wall anchor with an arcuate prong and a point at the end of said prong, the arcuate shank having a radius of curvature;

fixing the wall anchor to the wall confronting region of the appurtenance below the uppermost top edge by a distance of about or less than 120% of radius of curvature of the arcuate shank such that when the appurtenance is upright, the arcuate extends rearwardly from the appurtenance and arcs upwardly with the point oriented upwardly;

positioning the appurtenance so that its back side is facing downward and the arcuate shank extends downward and arcs toward the wall with the point confronting the wall, puncturing the surface of the wallboard with the point of the arcuate shank;

inserting the arcuate shank into the wallboard upon an arcuate path corresponding with the shape of the arcuate shank by rotating the appurtenance downward approximately about the uppermost top edge of the wall confronting portion of the appurtenance.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of fixing an addition prong to wall engaging portion, the additional prong positioned below the arcuate prong and oriented to pierce the wall when the appurtenance is rotated downward.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of using the engagement of the wall with the uppermost top edge portion of the appurtenance to guide the downward rotation of the appurtenance.

4. An appurtenance for attaching to a wall, the appurtenance having an upright position with a vertical wall confronting region, an arcuate prong fixed to the appurtenance at the wall confronting region, said prong having a curved shank with a distal point, whereby when the appurtenance is upright the shank extends therefrom laterally and gradually curving upward such that the point is directed upwardly, the shank extending from the appurtenance, the prong is no longer than 1.25 inches measured along the lower profile of the prong.

5. The appurtenance of claim 4 wherein the appurtenance weighs at least one pound.

6. The appurtenance of claim 4 wherein the angle from horizontal between a point where the arcuate prong is fixed to the appurtenance to the distal point of the prong is at least 30 degrees.

11. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of positioning the distal point of the shank at a angular position of greater than 30 degrees measured from the horizontal.

7. An appurtenance for attaching to a wall, the appurtenance having a wall confronting region, an arcuate hook fixed to the appurtenance at the wall confronting region, said hook having a curved shank with a distal point, whereby when the appurtenance is upright the shank extends therefrom laterally and gradually curving upward such that the point is directed upwardly, the shank extending from the appurtenance at a point spaced from the uppermost top edge about equal to or less that the distance from the point to the appurtenance, the appurtenance weighing at least one pound.

8. A method of attaching a wall anchor to a vertical surface of a gypsum based wallboard, the method comprising the steps of:

inserting an shank having an arcuate shape and a distal point into the exterior surface of the gypsum based wallboard at an entry point,

guiding the shank inwardly and upwardly along an arcuate path within the gypsum based wallboard corresponding to the shape of the shank whereby the distal point is directed upwardly, engaging a flange portion connected to the shank with the exterior vertical surface of the gypsum based wallboard, proximate the entry point whereby the distal point is no more than 1 inch above a point where the flange portion connects to the shank.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of attaching an appurtenance to the flange portion.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the wall anchor does not have a hook opposite the arcuate shaped shank.

12. A method of manufacturing an appurtenance with wall attachment means, the appurtenance having a weight of at least five pounds an upright position and a wall engaging region having an uppermost edge;

providing an arcuate shank and a pointed tip, the arcuate shank having a tip pointing upwardly

positioning and fixing the arcuate shank no more than 1.25 inches below the uppermost edge.

13. A method of manufacturing an appurtenance with wall attachment means, the appurtenance having a weight of at least five pounds an upright position and a wall engaging region having an uppermost edge;

providing an arcuate shank and a pointed tip, the arcuate shank having a tip pointing upwardly, the arcuate shank having a radius of curvature of less than 1 inch.

14. A wall attachable appurtenance, the appurtenance having a front side, a back side, an upright attachment position, a wall confronting region with an uppermost top edge on the wall confronting region, the appurtenance having an arcuate hook fixed to the appurtenance at the confronting region, said hook having a curved shank with a distal point, the shank extending from the appurtenance laterally and gradually curving such that the point is directed upwardly, the shank extending from the appurtenance at a point spaced from the uppermost top edge about equal to or less that the distance from the point to the appurtenance, whereby the appurtenance can be rotated about 90 degree from the upright position whereby the back side is facing downward and such that the point of the hook can be initially inserted into the wall and then completely inserted into the wall by rotating the appurtenance about the uppermost edge downward

15. A method of securing an appurtenance to a wall with a wallboard, the wallboard having a thickness and comprising a gypsum core with sheathing material on an interior surface and an outer exposed surface, the appurtenance having an upright attachment position, a wall confronting region with an upper most top edge on the wall confronting region, the appurtenance having an arcuate hook fixed to the appurtenance at the confronting region, said hook having a curved shank with a distal point, whereby when the appurtenance is upright the shank extends therefrom laterally and gradually curving upward such that the point is directed upwardly, the shank extending from the appurtenance at a point spaced from the uppermost top edge about equal to or less that the distance from the point to the appurtenance.