Device To Repair Damaged Doors And Walls

Abstract

A device for repairing a damaged double walled structure such as a hollow-core door comprises a threaded shaft, a backing plate integrally fixed to the shaft and in an operative use position resting against the interior of a rear wall of the double walled structure, a block member threadly mounted on the shaft, a screened facing plate in an operative use position resting against the interior of a front wall of the double walled structure, the shaft being movably mounted to the desired adjusted position within the length of an elongated slot of the screened plate and a pair of rails on the screened plate and a grooved rail-receiving block member movably mounted thereon. The various adjustable features of the shaft, screened plate and block member provide a means of easy insertion through the damaged wall portion and a means of securely fastening the device in a selective position within the double walled structure to provide a permanent and rigidly fixed backing panel for a filling material such as a plaster.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a device for repairing a hole in a wall. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a device for insertion through a damaged hole in a double walled structure such as a hollow-core door, wall and the like and for fastening therein to constitute a permanent and rigidly fixed backing structure for a filler such as wood putty, plaster and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At present, many devices exist for repairing holes in walls. Many of the presently known devices include expansion anchoring type devices which are unwieldy and cumbersome and complex in design.

However, none of the prior art arrangements are designed to efficiently constitute a device that is of a simple design and at the same time a device that can be easily insertable in the hole of the wall and provide a permanent and rigidly fixed backing structure for a filler such as wood putty, plaster and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Hollow-core doors and walls are often damaged by the workmen during construction of the structure, by the movers during the movement of the furniture in or out of the structure and the like. Such damaged doors and wall areas are often poorly repaired or not repaired at all which action is detrimental to the owner of the structure.

The primary object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a new and improved device for use in repairing holes in damaged doors and walls.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved anchoring type device which can be readily inserted into the wall hole, can be easily and quickly adjusted to the desired location and finally can provide a permanent and rigidly secured cover plate over the wall hole.

Accordingly, the device described herein is basically an item of hardware for use in repairing a damaged wall portion of a double walled structure such as a door or wall. The device is essentially composed of a threaded shaft; a backing plate that is integrally fixed to one end of the shaft, the backing plate in an operative use position resting against the interior of a rear wall of the double walled structure; a block member threadly mounted on the shaft; a screened plate in an operative use position resting against the interior of a front wall of the double walled structure, the shaft being movably mounted to the desired adjusted position within the length of an elongated slot of the screened plate and a pair of rails integrally fixed to the ends of the screened plate in a spaced parallel manner and movably mounted in elongated grooves of the block member. The various adjustable features of the shaft, screened plate and block member provide a means of easy insertion through the damaged hole in the double walled structure and also a means of securely fastening the device in a selective position between the above-defined rear and front walls. Thus, the device constitutes a permanent and rigidly fixed backing panel for a filling material such as wood putty, plaster and the like.

Other objects and many advantages of this invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description and an examination of the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like parts throughout.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device for repairing a damaged double walled structure according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan side view taken along the length of the device;

FIG. 3 is a plan side view taken along the width of the device;

FIG. 4 is a plan top view of the device;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 in which the device is being initially angled into position within the double walled structure; and

FIG. 6 is a view in which the device is permanently and rigidly secured in an operative use location within the double walled structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Having reference now to the details of construction, a device for repairing a hole in a wall is designated by reference numeral 10. The device 10 has a screw threaded shaft 12 and a flat backing plate 14 integrally fixed to one end of the shaft 12.

A rectangular block member 16 has a central screw threaded opening therethrough whereby the block member 16 is axially mounted on the threaded shaft 12. The block member 16 has inwardly cut grooves 18 on the side walls of the rectangular block member for purposes hereinafter described.

As disclosed by FIGS. 1 and 4, a rectangular screened facing plate 20 has an elongated slot 22 substantially extending the entire length of the rectangular plate. The screened plate 20 is mounted as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 above the block members 16. The shaft 12 is adapted for insertion through the slot 22 and may be manipulated during the installation operation therealong and after the installation is completed, positioned at a permanent location within the slot 22. A pair of rail members 24 extend in parallel manner to the screened plate 20 and also parallel to each other. The rail members 24 are situated as shown in FIG. 3 on both sides of the shaft 12. The rail members 24 have short extensions at the ends thereof bent upwardly to be integrally fixed to the width ends of the screened plate 20. The rail members 24 are slidably mounted within the grooves 18 of the block member 16.

In the use of the present invention, the device 10 is adapted to be inserted in its compact or unexpanded state into a hole 26 in the front wall section 28, as shown in FIG. 5. This hole needs only to have a length and width very slightly larger than the length and width, respectively, of the screened plate 20. The device 10 is inserted sideways or endways through the hole 26. Once the device 10 has been inserted through the hole 26, the device may be turned to the best location therein whereby the screened facing plate 20 may be turned to the best location to cover the maximum hole area prior to the rotation of the screw shaft 12 which results in an outward movement of the assembly that consists of the screened plate 14 with its attaching rail members 24 and block member 16 carried by the rail-groove connections. In the expanded and permanent position of the device 10 as seen in FIG. 6, the flat backing plate 14 is screwed firmly against the internal side of a rear wall section 30 and the screened facing plate 20 is screwed firmly against the internal side of the front wall section 28 and thus facing plate 20 substantially covers the hole 26. Any excess length of the shaft 12 that extends outwardly beyond the screened plate 20 may be cut off thereby presenting an outwardly depressed flat surface to which wood putty, plaster and the like may be readily applied.

Consequently, a finished wall having an installed device 10 therein will appear as an attractive surface section that has a greater tensile strength than the original one.

In order to more fully understand the present invention, the specific directions generally utilized for installing the device in a two walled structure are recited as follows:

1. Determine the size of the damaged wall area and select a device of a particular size constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention to accomodate the size of the damaged area.

2. Rotate the threaded shaft counterclockwise until the backing plate is flush against the sliding block.

3. Slide the block to either end of the screened plate.

4. Proceed to grip the outer end of the threaded shaft and guide the device into the damaged area.

5. When the device is substantially within the two walled structure, center the block and maneuver the screened plate whereby it covers all or most of the damaged area.

6. After the device is centered, hold it firmly in place and rotate the shaft clockwise until the backing plate is firmly against the interior back wall of the two walled structure.

7. It is important that the shaft not be tightened beyond a maximum value.

8. Excess length of the shaft is to be trimmed resulting thereby with the end of the shaft being substantially flushed with the screened plate.

9. wood putty, plaster and the like is to be applied over the screened plate until a surface is obtained that is flush with the original wall surface.

10. Repaired wall surface is to be properly sanded and finished and the finished repaired area performed by a competent workman will defy detection of any repair by the most critical inspection.

The device according to present invention is suitable of course for repairing holes in any two-walled structural arrangements such as a ceiling or floor, panel member and the like, the process of installation being substantially the same as above described.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, a skilled artisan may make variations which do not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A device for repairing and for insertion through a damaged wall portion of a double walled structure such as a hollow-core door comprising in combination:

a threaded shaft means;

a flat backing plate means integrally fixed to one end of said shaft means;

said plate means adapted to rest firmly against the interior of a rear wall of the double walled structure;

a block member having a threaded opening therethrough for axial mounting on said shaft means, said block member having groove means on sides thereof;

a screened facing plate means positioned adjacent to said block member and having a slot member, said screened plate means adapted to rest firmly against the interior of a front wall of the double walled structure;

said shaft means mounted transversely with respect to said block member and said screened plate means and adapted to adjustably slide in said slot member; and

a pair of rail members integrally fixed to the bottom side of said screened plate means at the ends thereof and spaced in a parallel manner with respect to said screened plate means, each of said rail members being positioned in a parallel relationship to each other on opposite sides of said shaft means, each of said rail members slidably mounted within said respective groove means;

said device adapted to be securely fastened in a selective location between the above-defined rear and front walls by tightening of the threaded shaft means and adapted to constitute a permanent and rigidly fixed backing panel structure for a filler such as plaster.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said screened plate means consists of a rectangular plate.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said slot means of said screened plate means constitutes an elongated opening that substantially extends the length of said rectangular plate.

4. A device for repairing a damaged double-walled structure such as a hollow-core door comprising in combination:

a shaft having adjustable means thereon;

a backing plate integrally fixed to said shaft and in an operative use position resting against the interior of a rear wall of the double walled structure;

a block member axially and adjustably mounted on said shaft and having grooves thereon;

a screened facing plate adjustably mounted on said shaft and in an operative use position resting firmly against the interior of a front wall of the double walled structure; and

a plurality of rail members integrally fixed to the bottom side of said screened plate and each of said rail members adjustably and slidably mounted in a respective groove;

said device adapted to be securely fastened in a selective location between the above-defined rear and front walls by manipulation of the shaft adjustable means and adapted to constitute a permanent and rigidly fixed backing panel structure for a filler such as plaster.