Drywall crack repair backing plate

Abstract

A multi-perforated metallic base member device (the Backing Plate) that is used to repair stress cracks, or panel abutment joint separations in drywall boarding, thereby restoring and strengthening the repaired areas without the need to replace any affected sections, which is quickly and easily installed to the blind side of the cracked wall from the outside, by temporarily mounting it onto the (so called) locking hooks of its detachable installation member, (The Handle) thereby creating a living hinged assembly. Once mounted the base member may be pivoted over like a jackknife to be inserted into the wall cavity through a pre-cut slit in the crack, where it will spring open within the wall, to be pulled outward by the Handle and held in place against the blind side of the wall, while it is securely fastened to both cracked panel edges through the outside of the wall. The device may be applied at any desired area of the wall or ceiling framework, completely independent of rearward support from the framing members, thereby creating an artificial backing and a permanent mechanical bond between broken panel edges. Once the device is so installed, the handle may be released from its Locking Hooks by applying a simple hand squeeze. The handle may then be re-used to install multiple Backing Plates as needed. Paper or nylon mesh tape is then applied with a patching compound, sanded smooth, retextured and painted. With practice, nearly invisible crack repairs can be achieved by almost anyone.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.