Adjustable Drywall Retaining Structure for Upright Sheet Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for positioning and handling drywall sheets during construction are inefficient, as they occupy excessive floor space, create load stresses on floor joists, limit access in confined areas, and pose a hazard due to the weight and instability of the sheets when stacked flat or leaned against walls.

Innovation Solution

A drywall retaining device with a support structure and adjustable retaining member that secures drywall sheets in an upright position against a building wall, using a base member attached to a stud and a retaining arm to prevent sheets from falling, allowing for easy adjustment and secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If drywall sheets are positioned flat on the floor in a stack, then they are stable and easy to store, but they occupy excessive floor space and create load stresses on floor joists

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of drywall stackingVSAvoidfloor space occupied

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions drywall storage from a horizontal arrangement (flat stacking on floor) to a vertical arrangement (upright positioning against wall). This dimensional change from horizontal to vertical space utilization reduces floor space occupation while maintaining stability through the retaining device that prevents forward tipping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If drywall sheets are positioned flat on the floor, then they are stable, but they limit ingress and egress through hallways and confined areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of drywall stackingVSAvoidaccess through hallways

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By repositioning drywall stacks from horizontal floor placement to vertical wall-mounted positioning, the patent frees up hallway and confined area passages, improving accessibility while maintaining material stability through the retaining mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If drywall sheets are stood up on edge for cutting and handling, then access is improved and floor space is reduced, but handling becomes difficult without initial flat positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess and handlingVSAvoiddifficulty of handling upright sheets

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining device is installed beforehand on the wall, creating a ready-made upright positioning system. This preliminary action eliminates the need to manually handle and position heavy upright drywall sheets, as they can be directly placed against the retained position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Area of stationary object

If a large number of drywall sheets are rested on edge against a building wall, then floor space is saved, but the total weight creates a potential hazard

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefloor space usedVSAvoidsafety hazard from falling drywall

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining device applies a preliminary counteracting force to prevent the forward tipping of upright drywall sheets. By providing this preventive support mechanism, the system eliminates the safety hazard of falling sheets while maintaining the space-efficient vertical storage configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

5Area of stationary object

If drywall sheets are positioned upright against the wall without support, then floor space is reduced, but the sheets may fall to the floor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefloor space occupiedVSAvoidstability of upright positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining device acts as an intermediary support element between the wall and the drywall sheets. It provides the necessary support to maintain upright positioning and prevent falling, enabling space-efficient vertical storage while ensuring stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7543789B2Drywall retaining device

Publication Date: 2009.06.09 FOUNDATION BUILDING MATERIALS LLC

AI summary

A device for retaining sheets of construction material in a generally upright position includes an elongated base member having an attachment structure at a first end that permits attachment of the elongated base member to a support surface with the elongated base member extending generally horizontally away from a support surface to which the base member is attached. The device further includes a retaining member having a female connecting structure at an upper end of the retaining member. The female connecting structure slidably connects the retaining member to the base member such that the retaining member can be positioned at a selected one of a plurality of positions along the base member. The retaining member further includes a retaining arm that extends downwardly from the female connecting structure. A releasable connecter structure selectively prevents movement of the retaining member relative to the base member in at least a first direction.