Foldable Wall Repair Backing Device with Adhesive Strips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for repairing large holes in walls, such as those exceeding 2 inches in diameter, are difficult and impractical for DIYers due to the challenge of attaching scaffolding to the hidden rear surface of the wall, often requiring professional skills and being time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A foldable backing device with adhesive strips that can be collapsed to fit through the hole and expand to attach to the rear wall surface, providing a stable platform for applying repair compounds without projecting beyond the visible wall surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a scaffolding structure is attached to the hidden rear surface of the wall to support repair compound, then the repair effectiveness is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in manipulating and anchoring the scaffolding through the existing hole
Solution Approach 1:
The backing member is designed to be flexible and collapsible, allowing it to be compressed into a compact form for insertion through the hole, then expanded behind the wall to form a stable backing surface. This dynamic transformation enables easy installation while maintaining structural integrity for supporting repair compound.
Solution Approach 2:
The collapsible backing member can be nested or compressed into a compact configuration that fits through the existing hole, similar to nested dolls. Once positioned behind the wall, it expands to provide the necessary backing surface area for reliable repair compound attachment.
2Ease of operation
If wire mesh or steel panel is taped to the front surface of the wall to create scaffolding, then the scaffolding attachment is simplified, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to the need for careful sanding to achieve a smooth continuum
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attaching the backing member to the front surface of the wall and working backward, the invention inverts the approach by inserting the collapsible backing member through the hole from the front, then expanding it behind the wall. This allows the backing surface to be formed at the correct position without protruding beyond the wall front surface, eliminating the need for extensive sanding.
3Ease of operation
If a collapsible backing member with adhesive strips is used to attach scaffolding behind the wall, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple functions into a single integrated backing member: the structural backing element, the collapsible mechanism, and the adhesive attachment system are merged into one component. This reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps, simplifying the overall device while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive strips are pre-applied to the backing member, allowing it to attach to itself or to the wall surface without requiring separate adhesive application steps. This self-service feature reduces complexity by eliminating the need for additional adhesive materials and application procedures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy and effective repair of large holes in walls by allowing DIYers to attach a scaffolding structure behind the wall, facilitating the application and smoothing of repair compounds without the need for extensive expertise or time-consuming sanding.
Implementation Method 1
at least two adhesive strips applied to the front face of the backing member
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~5B
AI summary
A backing device useful in repairing a hole. In some embodiments, the hole isin a wall, for example a relatively large hole in a wall (e.g., vertical wall, ceiling, etc.) of, for example, a home or building structure. The backing device includes a collapsible backing member and adhesive strips. The backing member defines a front face opposite a rear face, and includes first and second panels connected at a hinge segment. The adhesive strips are disposed on the front face. The backing member is foldable from a flat state to a collapsed state for insertion through the wall hole. Once deployed "behind" the wall, the backing member is transitioned to the flat state, and the adhesive strips utilized to secure the backing device to a back surface of the wall. In some embodiments, the backing device, while in the flat state, is relatively rigid in one direction and collapsible in the opposite direction.