A Wall Repair Device

Abstract

A device for repairing a hole in a wall structure, the device comprising: a body; a plurality of arm members mounted relative to the body, wherein a webbing member extends between two or more of the arm members; and a displaceable member associated with the body, wherein displacement of the displaceable member actuates the plurality of arm members to move relative to the body between a retracted condition and an extended condition in which the webbing member is stretched relatively tightly between the arm members to form a substantially planar surface.

Claims

1. A device for repairing a hole in a wall structure, the device comprising: a body; a plurality of arm members mounted relative to the body, wherein a webbing member extends between two or more of the arm members; and a displaceable member associated with the body, and a sleeve member slidably engaged with the body, wherein displacement of the displaceable member causes the sleeve member to slide along at least a portion of a length of the body, actuating the plurality of arm members to move relative to the body between a retracted condition and an extended condition in which the webbing member is stretched relatively tightly between the arm members to form a substantially planar surface, and wherein the device is configured to be collapsible upon impact to the device.

2. A device for repairing a hole in a wall structure according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises a bore extending at least partially along the length of the body.

3. A device for repairing a hole in a wall structure according to claim 1, further comprising an adjustment member, wherein the adjustment member is adjustably engaged with the body.

4. A device for repairing a hole in a wall structure according to claim 3, further comprising a bore of the body, wherein the adjustment member is adjustably engaged with the bore of the body.

5. A device for repairing a hole in a wall structure according to claim 3, wherein adjustment of the adjustment member moves the adjustment member relative to the body to adjust a length of the device.

6. A device for repairing a hole in a wall structure according to claim 1, wherein each arm member of the plurality of arm members is pivotally mounted to a first end of the body.

7. A device for repairing a hole in a wall structure according to claim 1, wherein each arm member of the plurality of arm members comprises a first arm member portion pivotally mounted to a first end of the body and a second arm member portion pivotally mounted to the first arm member portion at a first end thereof and to a portion of the body at a second end thereof.

8. (canceled)

9. A device for repairing a hole in a wall structure according to claim 7, wherein movement of the sleeve member causes each arm member of the plurality of arm members to pivot relative to the body.

10. (canceled)

11. A device for repairing a hole in a wall structure according to claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the adjustment member is configured to be collapsible upon impact to the device.

12. A method of repairing a hole in a wall structure, the method comprising: providing a device for repairing a hole in a wall structure, the device comprising a body having a bore extending at least partially along a length of the body, a displaceable member associated with the body, a sleeve member slidably engaged with the body, and a plurality of arm members mounted relative to the body, wherein a webbing member extends between two or more of the arm members, wherein the device is configured to be collapsible upon impact to the device; inserting the device through the hole in a damaged wall member of the wall structure; displacing the displaceable member to cause the sleeve member to slide along at least a portion of the length of the body, actuating the plurality of arm members to move relative to the body between a retracted condition and an extended condition in which the webbing member is stretched relatively tightly between the arm members to form a substantially planar surface, and bringing the webbing member into contact with an inner surface of the damaged wall member.

13. The method of repairing a hole in a wall structure according to claim 12, further comprising the step of adjusting a length of the device by moving an adjustment member relative to the body until a base portion of the adjustment member abuts an inner surface of the wall member opposing the damaged wall member.

14. The method of repairing a hole in a wall structure according to claim 12, wherein the step of displacing the displaceable member causes the displaceable member to move towards the body of the device, such that the webbing member in an extended condition and an end of the body of the device forms a substantially planar surface.

15. The method of repairing a hole in a wall structure according to 13, wherein the device is retained in place via a compressive force exerted by the device on the inner surface of opposed wall members within the wall structure.

16. The method of repairing a hole in a wall structure according to 13 further comprising the step of providing an adhesive to at least a portion of the webbing member and/or the base portion of an adjustment member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0087] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0088] FIGS. 1a and 1b illustrate a side view of the device with arm members in a retracted condition according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0089] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the device with arm members in an extended condition and adjustment member in a retracted condition according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0090] FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the device with arm members and adjustment member in an extended condition according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0091] FIG. 4 illustrates a top perspective view of the device with arm members and displaceable member in an extended condition according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0092] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the device with arm members and displaceable member in an extended condition according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0093] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the device with arm members and adjustment member in an extended condition in situ according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0094] FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the device with arm members in a retracted condition according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0095] FIG. 8 illustrates an end view of the device with arm members in a retracted condition according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0096] FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the device with arm members in an extended condition according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0097] FIG. 10 illustrates an end view of the device with arm members in an extended condition according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0098] In FIGS. 1a and 1b, a side view of the device 10 with arm members 40 in a retracted condition according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The body 12 comprises a bore (obscured) extending at least partially along the length of the body 12, a first end 16 and an opposed second end 18. An adjustment member 24 is received in the bore (obscured) of the body 12 and adjustably engaged thereto.

[0099] A plurality of arm members 40 are pivotally mounted at the first end 16 of the body 12. A webbing member 22 extends between the arm members 40. It is envisaged that, in use, a displaceable member 30 located at a first end 16 of body 12 is displaced, actuating the plurality of arm members 40 to pivot relative to the body 12 between a retracted condition and an extended condition.

[0100] In FIG. 1a, webbing member 22 comprises one or more folded portion or pleats, wherein when the plurality of arm members (not shown) are in an extended condition, the folded portions of the webbing member unfold and form a substantially planar surface. The one or more folded portions may be located between adjacent arm members (not shown). In FIG. 1b, webbing member 22 comprises an expandable cover disposed over the exterior of the device 10, wherein webbing member 22 may be fabricated from a stretchable material and/or a mesh wherein the size, shape, or configuration of the apertures in the mesh enables webbing member 22 to expand and form a substantially planar surface when the plurality of arm members (not shown) are in an extended condition.

[0101] In FIG. 2, a side view of device 10 with arm members 40 in an extended condition and adjustment member in a retracted condition according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The body 12 comprises a bore (obscured), extending the length of the body 12, and a displaceable member 30 comprising an actuation portion 32 located at the first end 16 of body 12. One or more guide members 34 extend outwardly from actuation portion 32, such that guide members 34 extend axially along at least a part of the length of body 12 of device 10. Guide members 34 are shown in a disengaged condition. A plurality of arm members 40 is pivotally mounted at a first end 16 of the body 12. A webbing member 22 extends between the arm members 40. Device 10 comprises an adjustment member 24 including a threaded portion 28 screw threadedly engaged with bore 14 of device 10 and base portion 26 extending outwardly from the second end 18.

[0102] In FIG. 3, a bottom perspective view of device 10 with arm members and adjustment member in an extended condition according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Each arm member comprises one or more first arm member portions 36 pivotally connected to second arm member portion 38 and configured for attachment to webbing member 22. Second arm member portion 38 is pivotally connected to a sleeve member 20 which is slidably engaged with body 12. Sleeve member 20 is associated with guide members 34 of displaceable member 30 such that displacement of displaceable member 30 causes sleeve member 20 to slide along at least a portion of the length of body 12, which subsequently causes second arm member portion 38 to pivot relative to body 12. In use, it is envisaged that moving sleeve member 20 towards the first end 16 of body 12 will move arm members 40 into an extended condition and moving sleeve member 20 towards the second end 18 of body 12 will move arm members 40 into a retracted condition. In the extended condition, webbing member 22 is stretched relatively tightly between the arm members 40 to form a substantially planar surface.

[0103] In the extended condition, adjustment member 24 comprising threaded portion 28 and base portion 26 is shown extending from the second end 18 of body 12. The adjustment member 24 has been moved relative to the body 12 to lengthen the device 10.

[0104] In FIGS. 4 and 5, device 50 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Displaceable member 70 is displaced by pulling actuation portion 72 thereby causing the displaceable member 70 to extend outwardly from the first end 56 of body 52. Displacement of displaceable member 70 causes guide members 74 to engage with and move sleeve member 60 towards the first end 56 of body 52. Second arm member portion 78 of each arm member 80 pivots relative to body 52 and cause first arm member portions 76 to pivot relative to respective second arm member portion 78 moving first arm member portions 76 into an extended condition. Arm members 80 are shown in the extended condition, such that webbing member 62 is stretched relatively tightly between the arm members 80 to form a substantially planar surface.

[0105] In FIG. 6, a device 50 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in an extended condition in situ. In use, a user may insert device 50 through hole 94 located in wall member 90 and pull actuation portion 72 of displaceable member 70 out and away from first end 56 of body causing guide members 74 to engage with and move sleeve member 60 along at least part of the length of body 52 towards the first end 56 of body 52. Movement of sleeve member 60 causes second arm member portion 78 of each arm member 80 to pivot relative to body 52 which in turn causes first arm member portions 76 to pivot relative to respective second arm member portion 78 placing arm members 80 into an extended condition and causing webbing member 62 to stretch relatively tightly between arm members 80. When the arm members 80 are in an extended condition, the user may use displaceable member 70 to move the webbing member 62 towards and against an inner surface of damaged wall member 90.

[0106] If necessary, the user may adjust the length of device 50 by inserting a tool, such as a screwdriver, into adjustment member 64 to engage with threaded portion 68 of adjustment member 64. Rotation of threaded portion 68 relative to bore 54 of body 52 causes adjustment member 64 to move outwardly from the second end 58 of body 52 effectively extending the length of device 50. The user adjusts the length of device 50 until base portion 66 of adjustment member 64 abuts an inner surface of the opposing, undamaged wall member 92.

[0107] When device 50 is locked in position, the user pushes actuation portion 72 of displaceable member 70 back towards the first end 56 of body 52 so that the surface of the webbing member 62 is relatively planar. The user may then apply one or more layers of filler, adhesive mesh patches, and/or paint to the hole 94 in wall member 90 to repair the hole 94.

[0108] In FIGS. 7 and 8, a device 100 with arm members 120 in a retracted condition according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Body 102 comprises a bore 104 extending at least partially along the length of body 102, a first end 106 and an opposed second end 108. An adjustment member 112 is received in bore 104 of body 102 and adjustably engaged thereto in order to adjust the length of device 100.

[0109] A plurality of arm members 120 are pivotally mounted at the first end 106 of body 102. A webbing member 110 extends between the arm members 120. It is envisaged that, in use, displacement of the displaceable member 118 located in bore 104 of body 102, releases arm members 120 from body 102, thereby actuating the plurality of arm members 120 to pivot relative to body 102 between a retracted condition and an extended condition.

[0110] In FIGS. 9 and 10, a device 100 with arm members 120 in an extended condition according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. In the extended condition, webbing member 110 is stretched relatively tightly between the arm members 120 to form a substantially planar surface.

[0111] In use, a user may insert device 100 through a hole located in a wall member and depress displaceable member 118 to release arm members 120 from a locked position against the sides of body 102. Arm members 120 pivot about first end 106 of body 102 into an extended condition, causing webbing member 110 to stretch relatively tightly between arm members 120. When the arm members 120 are in an extended condition, the user pulls device 100 towards and against an inner surface of damaged wall member. If necessary, the user may rotate adjustment member 112 relative to body 102 causing adjustment member 112 to move outwardly from the second end 108 of body 102 to effectively extending the length of device 100. The user adjusts the length of device 100 until base portion 114 of adjustment member 112 abuts an inner surface of the opposing, undamaged wall member. When device 100 is locked in position, the user may then apply one or more layers of filler, adhesive mesh patches, and/or paint to the hole in the damaged wall member to repair the hole.

[0112] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0113] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0114] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.