Method and apparatus for panel edge coupling

A method for securely repairing randomly located holes in panels of gypsum board, sheet rock, masonite, insulation board, plywood or the like without mechanical connection to or support from the internal, spaced apart wall studs, support columns or the like, said method comprising the steps of:

• defining and locating a hole in said panel to be repaired;
• applying a plurality of clips at spaced apart locations about the internal periphery of said hole to be repaired, each of said clips comprising:
• a generally planar, perforated body portion adapted to be blindly penetrated by a self tapping screw, said body portion having a length significantly greater than the thickness of said panel(s), a front, a rear, and a pair of spaced apart sides;
• prong-like spring tab means integrally projecting from said clip body portion on opposite sides thereof, each of said spring tab means including a vertical portion generally perpendicular to said clip body portion and an integral offset horizontal flange portion oriented generally parallel with said clip body portion adapted to readily frictionally grasp said panel to sandwich same against said clip body;
• said spring tab flange portions spaced apart from said clip body portion a distance approximately equal to or less than the thickness of said panel;
• whereby a plurality of clips may be initially installed about the periphery of said hole to be repaired;
• installing a self-tapping fastener through said wall substantially within regions defined between said spring tab means horizontal portions so as to penetratingly engage each clip body portion to permanently affix them;
• positioning an appropriately shaped repair piece within said hole over said clips;
• installing a self-tapping fastener through regions of said repair piece immediately adjacent said spring tab means horizontal portions so as to permanently couple said repair piece to said clips whereby said repair piece is permanently secured to the wall within said hole without additional mechanical linkage to a stud, support column or the like;
• and,
• thereafter manually removing said horizontal flange portions of said spring tab means by manually bending them until breakage occurs along a predefined scored junction, whereby to ultimately construct an unobstructed wall surface for subsequent finishing.

A fastener clip for enabling the coupling together of adjacent panels of gypsum board, sheet rock, masonite, insulation board, plywood or the like which have abutting finished edges which, during construction of a wall, end up randomly positioned relative to spaced apart wall studs, support columns or the like, said clip comprising:

• a generally planar body portion comprised of perforated metal, said body portion having a length significantly greater than the thickness of said panel, a front, a rear, a pair of spaced apart sides, and at least one reinforcing groove extending generally along its length;
• prong-like spring tab means integrally projecting from said clip body portion on opposite sides thereof for compressively clamping said clip about an exposed edge of said panel, each of said spring tab means comprising:
• a vertical portion generally perpendicular to said clip body portion;
• an integral, arcuate, offset horizontal flange portion oriented generally parallel with said clip body adapted to readily grasp an edge of a panel and to sandwich same against said clip body without penetrating the panel;
• said spring tab flange portions spaced apart from said clip body portion a distance approximately equal to or less than the thickness of said panel;
• and,
• said horizontal flange portions of said spring tab means being separated from the vertical portions thereof by a scored junction which facilitates manual bending of said flanges until they break away from said body for removal;
• said spring tab flanges generally defining a region about said panel for installing a self-tapping fastener through said panel substantially within said region whereby to penetratingly engage said clip body portion to permanently affix said clip to said first panel;
• and,
• said clip body having an exposed portion immediately adjacent to the exposed edge of said first panel over which at least a portion of a second panel may be laid and into which another fastener may be installed to permanently couple two or more panels together.