GB2463490A

GB2463490A - Marked up plasterboard

Info

Publication number: GB2463490A
Application number: GB0816805A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Evans
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-09-13
Filing date: 2008-09-13
Publication date: 2010-03-17
Also published as: GB0816805D0

Abstract

A planar board having a first planar face section and a second planar face section is marked up. The first and second planar face sections each comprise an array of line markings to facilitate accurate cutting of the board and/or the positioning of fasteners so that the fasteners can be passed through the board to engage with a wall or ceiling frame. The board may be plaster board. The array of markings may include first and second sets of markings which are parallel to edges of the board and mutually perpendicular. The array of markings may include third and fourth sets of line markings which are at an acute angle to edges of the board. Markings comprising a measurement scale may be provided along side edges of the board. At least one of the sets of markings may be provided as a first subset of markings spaced at 400mm intervals and a second subset spaced at 600mm intervals.

Description

The present invention relates to a board, and particularly, but not exclusively to a plasterboard used for covering walls and ceilings.

It is known to provide plasterboards upon wall frames and ceiling joists to provide a smooth surface, which can then either be painted or plastered as required. The plasterboards are generally secured using fasteners, such as screws and/or nails, which are passed through the board into the underlying frame to hold the plasterboard in place.

Once the plasterboard has been initially secured or tacked to the wall or ceiling frame, further fixings may be used to ensure that the board cannot move.

However, after tacking the board, the underlying frame becomes hidden from view and so it is difficult to determine where to position the fasteners upon the board so that they can engage with the beam or joist positioned behind the plasterboard. This problem is exacerbated by the relatively large dimensions of the plasterboards.

In light of this difficulty, it is common for a region of the plasterboard to remain unsecured with the result that it creates added stress upon the other fasteners that are used to hold the plasterboard in place. This is particularly a problem where the plasterboard is covered with a layer of plaster, as any flex in the board can cause the plaster to crack. Moreover, any movement in the plasterboard is found to cause plaster disposed on or near the fasteners, to fall away.

This problem is partially alleviated by the use of a so-called "chalk line", which comprises a line that has been dipped in chalk and which is stretched taught across the board, along the line of the beam or joist. Upon plucking the line to * cause the line to contact the board, the chalk is caused to mark the plasterboard, so that further fixings can be suitably aligned with the beam/joist to secure the board in place. However, this technique requires the use of two people and is particularly difficult when marking plasterboards that have been tacked upon the ceiling, as the chalk can fall from the board.

A further problem with plasterboards, is that it can be difficult to cut the boards accurately to fit around obstacles, for example a door frame. Such boards are generally cut using a knife, however given the relatively soft form of the plasterboard and their relatively large dimensions, is it easy to deviate from a linear cut, which often renders the resulting plasterboard unsuitable and therefore wasted.

I have now devised a board which alleviates the above-mentioned problems.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a board, the board comprising a first planar face section and a second planar face section, the first and second planar face sections each comprising an array of line markings.

The markings provide an indication for the Jine of cut required and/or the required positioning of the plasterboard fasteners, to ensure that the fasteners can be passed through the plasterboard to engage with the wall or ceiling frame. In addition, the line markings provide a simple guide for the positioning of holes within plasterboards arranged upon a wall or ceiling, for receiving light fittings, for example. The lines enable the light fittings to be suitably arranged symmetrically or centrally for example, upon a ceiling or wall.

Preferably, each array of line markings comprise a first plurality of line markings and a second plurality of line markings. The lines associated with the first plurality of line markings are preferably arranged substantially parallel to each other. The lines associated with the second plurality of line markings are preferably arranged substantially parallel to each other.

Preferably, the first and second plurality of line markings intersect at substantially go°.

The first plurality of line markings are preferably arranged substantially parallel to opposite short side edges of the board. Similarly, the second plurality of line markings are preferably arranged substantially parallel to opposite long side edges of the board.

Alternatively, or in addition thereto, each array of line markings preferably comprise a third plurality of line markings and a fourth plurality of line markings.

Preferably, the lines associated with the third plurality of line markings are arranged substantially parallel to each other and the lines associated with the fourth plurality of line markings are preferably arranged substantially parallel to each other.

Preferably, the third and fourth plurality of line markings are arranged at an acute angle to side edges of the plasterboard.

Preferably, the line markings comprise line markings that extend unbroken across the first and second planar face sections of the board. Alternatively, the line markings may form a dashed marking across the first and second planar face sections.

The first plurality of line markings preferably comprise a first subset of line markings spaced apart a distance of substantially 400mm and a second subset of line markings spaced apart a distance of substantially 600mm.

The second plurality of line markings preferably comprise a first subset of line markings spaced apart a distance of substantially 400mm and a second subset of line markings spaced apart a distance of substantially 600mm.

Preferably, the array of line markings form a guide for the positioning of fastening means for fastening the board to a frame, and for the cuffing of the board, Preferably, the first and/or second planar face section comprise a measurement scale extending along at least two side edges thereof.

Preferably, the board comprises a plasterboard.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a plasterboard according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of a plasterboard according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a plan view of a plasterboard according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and, Figure 4 is a plan view of a plasterboard according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, there are shown a series of plasterboards each substantially rectangular in shape, although it is to be appreciated that other shapes of plasterboard may also be used. The plasterboards comprise a series of line markings for providing an indication of the required location for the positioning of fasteners, such as screws or nails to ensure that the fasteners correctly align and thus cooperate with a wall frame (not shown) or ceiling joists (not shown) to secure the plasterboard thereto. In addition, the lines provide a useful guide when cuffing the boards, so that the tradesperson, for example, can follow a particular line or lines to ensure that the cut extends along the desired path.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in figure 1 of the drawings, the plasterboard 10 comprises a pair of planar face sections 11 (only one of which is shown) arranged on opposite sides of the board 10. Each face section 11 comprises a first array of lines 12a equally spaced across the board and arranged substantially parallel to each other. The lines of the first array 12a extend across the board 10 substantially parallel to the short side edges 13a, 13b thereof.

A second array of lines 12b are also arranged equally spaced upon each face section 11 and extend generally parallel to each other, and substantially perpendicular to the lines of the first array 12a. Accordingly, the lines of the second array 12b extend substantially parallel to opposite long side edges 14a, 14b of the board 10.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention as shown in figure 2 of the drawings, the plasterboard 10 comprises a third 12c and fourth 12d array of line markings. The lines of the third 12c and fourth array 12d separately extend substantially parallel to each other, but substantially diagonally of the board 10. The third 12c and fourth array of lines 12d further extend at an angle to each other, which may be substantially 90°. It is thought that a diagonal array of lines which make an angle of substantially 45° to the side edges 13, 14 thereof may be particularly useful for walls (not shown) which follow a staircase (not shown) and thus meet the staircase and possibly the ceiling (not shown) at * substantially 45°.

The embodiment illustrated in figure 3 comprises a combination of the first 12a and second array 12b of line markings, as shown in figure 1, with the third 12c and fourth array 12d of line markings shown in figure 2.

According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention as shown in figure 4, the plasterboard 10 comprises a first 16 and second array 17 of line markings that extend substantially parallel to short and long side edges of the plasterboard 10, respectively. However, the first array of lines 16 arranged on the plasterboard 10 shown in figure 4 comprises a first 16a and second 16b subset of lines. The lines of the first subset 16a are spaced apart substantially 400mm, while the lines of the second subset 16b are spaced apart substantially 600mm. The second array of lines 17 on this board 10 also comprises a first 17a and second subset of lines 17b spaced apart substantially 400mm and 600mm, respectively.

It is envisaged that the board 10 shown in figure 4 is particularly suited to ceilings, where the industry standard is to space ceiling joists (not shown) substantially 400mm or 600mm apart. Accordingly, the line markings 16, 17 provide a clear indication of the location of the ceiling joists (not shown) so that the boards 10 can be suitably cut and the fasteners (not shown), for example screws or nails, can be positioned on the respective lines 16, 17 arranged on the plasterboard 10 to locate with the ceiling joists (not shown).

In order to facilitate the sizing of any of the above plasterboards to match a particular wall or ceiling section, the plasterboard further comprises a measurement scale 15 extending along the side edges of thereof.

The line markings 12, 16, 17 and measurement scales 15 on the plasterboards 10 illustrated in figure 1-4, only slightly contrast the face section 11 on which they are provided. This is to reduce the possibility of the markings appearing through a layer of decorative paint that may be subsequently applied to the plasterboard 10. Moreover, the line markings 12, 16, 17 of the first, second, third and fourth array of lines may be formed using different colours or different shades of the same colour, to enable the lines to be readily distinguished from each other. Alternatively, the lines may be of the same colour, but form a different pattern across the board 10. For example, the lines of the first array 12a may be solid lines, the lines of the second array 12b may comprise a short dash, the lines of the third array 12c may comprise a long dash and the lines of the fourth array 12d may comprise an alternating short dash/long dash.

From the foregoing therefore, it is evident that the plasterboard of the present invention facilitates the shaping of the plasterboard to match a wall or ceiling frame while simultaneously providing a clear indication of the required positioning of the fasteners for securing the plasterboard to the underlying frame.

Claims

Claims 1. A board comprising a first planar face section and a second planar face section, the first and second planar face sections each comprising an array of line markings.
2. A board according to claim 1, wherein each array of line markings comprise a first plurality of line markings and a second plurality of line markings.
3. A board according to claim 2, wherein the lines associated with the first plurality of line markings are arranged substantially parallel to each other.
4. A board according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the lines associated with the second plurality of line markings are arranged substantially parallel to each other.
5. A board according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first and second plurality of line markings intersect at substantially 90°.
6. A board according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the first plurality of line markings are arranged substantially parallel to opposite short side edges of the board.
7. A board according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the second plurality of line markings are arranged substantially parallel to opposite long side 0*** edges of the board. * * S...
8. A board according to any of claims 2 to 7, wherein, each array of line . 0 markings comprise a third plurality of line markings and a fourth plurality of line markings.SSS * . . I. * I. SS S S *5
9. A board according to claim 8, wherein the lines associated with the third plurality of line markings are arranged substantially parallel to each other and the lines associated with the fourth plurality of line markings are arranged substantially parallel to each other.
10. A board according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the third and fourth plurality of line markings are arranged at an acute angle to side edges of the plasterboard.
11. A board according to any preceding claim, wherein the line markings comprise line markings that extend unbroken across the first and second planar face sections of the board.
12. A board according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the line markings form a dashed marking across the first and second planar face sections.
13. A board according to any of claims 2 to 12, wherein the first plurality of line markings comprise a first subset of line markings spaced apart a distance of substantially 400mm and a second subset of line markings spaced apart a distance of substantially 600mm.
14. A board according to any of claims 2 to 13, wherein the second plurality of line markings comprise a first subset of line markings spaced apart a distance of substantially 400mm and a second subset of line markings spaced apart a distance of substantially 600mm.*...
15. A board according to any preceding claim, wherein the array of line markings form a guide for the positioning of fastening means for fastening the board to a frame and for the cuthng of the board. *S.. * II I. I I. I * I I

II
16. A board according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and/or second planar face section comprise a measurement scale extending along at least two side edges thereof.
17. A board according to any preceding claim, wherein the board comprises a plasterboard.
18. A board substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. * ** * * . * *. *. * ** * .* * * * ** S * * S.. * . . S. * a. * * * *.