Screw guard for metal studs

Abstract

A stud guard for metal wall studs protects wiring and plumbing passing through the stud from being pierced by a sheet rock screw or nail during sheet rock installation or from a screw, nail or other type of hazard after sheet rock installation. The stud guard is a generally flat plate member that has a length and a smaller width and that is made from at least 18 gauge stainless steel. The back surface of the stud guard has an adhesive layer thereon for fixed attachment of the plate member to the stud.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A stud guard in combination with a wall stud comprising: 
 a flat stainless steel plate member having a front surface and a back surface;    an adhesive layer attached to the back surface of the plate member; and    wherein the back surface of the plate member is affixed to the stud such that the adhesive fixedly attaches the plate member to the stud.    
     
     
         2 . The stud guard as in  claim 1  wherein the plate member is made from at least 18 gauge stainless steel.  
     
     
         3 . The stud guard as in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 an opening passing between the front surface and the back surface; and  
 a screw passing through the opening and into the stud.  
 
     
     
         4 . The stud guard as in  claim 1  wherein the stud is a metal stud.  
     
     
         5 . The stud guard as in  claim 1  wherein the plate member has a length and a width such that the length is greater than the width.  
     
     
         6 . The stud guard as in  claim 5  wherein the width is about 1.5 inches.  
     
     
         7 . A stud guard in combination with a wall stud consisting essentially of: 
 a flat stainless steel plate member having a front surface and a back surface;    an adhesive layer attached to the back surface of the plate member; and    wherein the back surface of the plate member is affixed to the stud such that the adhesive fixedly attaches the plate member to the stud.    
     
     
         8 . The stud guard as in  claim 7  wherein the plate member is made from at least 18 gauge stainless steel.  
     
     
         9 . The stud guard as in  claim 7  further consisting of: 
 an opening passing between the front surface and the back surface; and  
 a screw passing through the opening and into the stud.  
 
     
     
         10 . The stud guard as in  claim 7  wherein the stud is a metal stud.  
     
     
         11 . The stud guard as in  claim 7  wherein the plate member has a length and a width such that the length is greater than the width.  
     
     
         12 . The stud guard as in  claim 11  wherein the width is about 1.5 inches.