Adjustable framing stud spacing means

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus for providing a planar surface against which a wall, ceiling or floor-making surface can be applied. Most commonly sheetrock will be nailed or screwed to the surface provided by the fixture. The apparatus of this invention provides a means for providing a planar surface when utilized with wall construction components such as natural wood studs which often are irregularly shaped and not straight. The apparatus can be adjustable for variations in the profile, contour or angle of the planar surface to which the sheetrock or other similar construction panel needs to be made.

1 . An adjustable framing stud spacing means for facilitating defining of a planar support surface for securing construction panels thereto comprising: 
 A. a face plate defining a front face plate surface and a rear face plate surface with a construction panel adapted to be positioned in abutment with said front face plate surface for securement thereto, said face plate adapted to be positioned along a framing stud in a position extending longitudinally therealong with said rear face plate surface facing the framing stud retained thereadjacent, said face plate being selectively securable at a desired distance with respect to the adjacent framing stud for achieving the desired alignment thereof;    B. a first return panel attached to said face plate and extending angularly inwardly therefrom adjacent to said rear face plate surface, said first return panel extending longitudinally along said face plate;    C. a second return panel attached to said face plate spatially disposed from said first return panel and extending angularly inwardly therefrom adjacent to said rear face plate surface in a direction extending toward said first return panel, said second return panel extending longitudinally along said face plate;    D. a first side panel of flexibly resilient material and being attached to said first return panel and extending longitudinally therealong, said first side panel extending inwardly obliquely with respect to said first return panel and approximately perpendicularly with respect to said face plate, said first side panel defining a first inner side surface and a first outer side surface, said first inner side surface of said first side panel adapted to resiliently abut and retain a framing stud thereagainst for maintaining the desired spacing of said face plate from the stud extending longitudinally therealong; and    E. a second side panel of flexibly resilient material and being attached to said second return panel and extending longitudinally therealong, said second side panel defining a second inner side surface and a second outer side surface, said second side panel extending inwardly obliquely with respect to said second return panel and approximately perpendicularly with respect to said face plate, said second inner side surface of said second side panel adapted to abut and retain a framing stud thereagainst for maintaining the desired spacing of said face plate from the stud extending longitudinally therealong, said second inner side surface of said first side panel adapted to resiliently abut a framing stud for facilitating attachment thereto, said first inner side surface of said first side panel and said second inner side surface of said second side panel extending generally parallel with respect to one another to define a stud gripping zone therebetween.    
   
   
       2 . An adjustable framing stud spacing means for facilitating defining of a planar support surface for securing construction panels thereto as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first return panel extends behind said rear surface of said face plate at an acute angle with respect thereto in a direction toward said second return panel.  
   
   
       3 . An adjustable framing stud spacing means for facilitating defining of a planar support surface for securing construction panels thereto as defined in  claim 2  wherein said first return panel extends behind said rear surface of said face plate at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees with respect thereto.  
   
   
       4 . An adjustable framing stud spacing means for facilitating defining of a planar support surface for securing construction panels thereto as defined in  claim 1  wherein said second return panel extends behind said rear surface of said face plate at an acute angle with respect thereto in a direction toward said first return panel.  
   
   
       5 . An adjustable framing stud spacing means for facilitating defining of a planar support surface for securing construction panels thereto as defined in  claim 4  wherein said second return panel extends behind said rear surface of said face plate at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees with respect thereto.  
   
   
       6 . An adjustable framing stud spacing means for facilitating defining of a planar support surface for securing construction panels thereto as defined in  claim 1  wherein the width of said face plate is greater than the lateral width of said stud gripping zone defined between said first side panel and said second side panel to provide an area larger than the framing stud for securement of the construction panel with respect thereto.  
   
   
       7 . An adjustable framing stud spacing means for facilitating defining of a planar support surface for securing construction panels thereto as defined in  claim 1  further comprising a first preliminary securement means positioned on said first side panel and a second preliminary securement means positioned on said second side panel to facilitate selectively detachably engagement thereof with respect to a framing stud positioned thereadjacent in said stud gripping zone.  
   
   
       8 . An adjustable framing stud spacing means for facilitating defining of a planar support surface for securing construction panels thereto as defined in  claim 7  wherein said first preliminary securement means includes a plurality of first burr means extending inwardly from said first inner side surface and wherein said second preliminary securement means includes a plurality of second burr means extending inwardly from said second inner side surface to facilitate detachably engagement thereof with respect to a framing stud positioned thereadjacent in said stud gripping zone.  
   
   
       9 . An adjustable framing stud spacing means for facilitating defining of a planar support surface for securing construction panels thereto as defined in  claim 8  further comprising a first primary securement means for fixedly securing said first inner side surface of said first side panel with respect to a framing stud positioned thereadjacent in said stud gripping zone and a second primary securement means for fixedly securing said second inner side surface of said second side panel with respect to a framing stud positioned thereadjacent in said stud gripping zone.  
   
   
       10 . An adjustable framing stud spacing means for facilitating defining of a planar support surface for securing construction panels thereto as defined in  claim 9  wherein said first primary securement means includes a first threaded fastener means adapted to penetrate through said first side panel into engagement with the framing stud positioned thereadjacent for fixed securement therebetween and wherein said second primary securement means includes a second threaded fastener means adapted to penetrate through said second side panel into engagement with the framing stud positioned thereadjacent for fixed securement therebetween.  
   
   
       11 . An adjustable framing stud spacing means for facilitating defining of a planar support surface for securing construction panels thereto as defined in  claim 10  wherein said first side panel defines a first hole means adjacent to each of said first burr means to facilitate penetrating of said first side panel by said first threaded fastener means and wherein said second side panel defines a second hole means adjacent to each of said second burr means to facilitate penetrating of said second side panel by said second threaded fastener means for affixing securement of a framing stud positioned within said stud gripping zone with respect thereto.  
   
   
       12 . An adjustable framing stud spacing means for facilitating defining of a planar support surface for securing construction panels thereto as defined in  claim 11  wherein each of said second hole means defined in said second side panel is located at a position out of registration with respect to any of said first hole means to prevent contact between said first threaded fastener means and said second threaded fastener means when positioned extending through said first hole means and said second hole means, respectively, into a framing stud positioned therebetween within said stud gripping zone.  
   
   
       13 . An adjustable framing stud spacing means for facilitating defining of a planar support surface for securing construction panels thereto as defined in  claim 11  wherein each of said first hole means and the adjacently positioned first burr means are simultaneously formed by punching of said first side panel from said first outer side surface to form a plurality of said first hole means therein while simultaneously forming of a plurality of said first burr means extending inwardly toward said stud gripping zone surrounding each of said first hole means and wherein each of said second hole means and the adjacently positioned second burr means are simultaneously formed by punching of said second side panel from said second outer side surface to form a plurality of said second hole means therein while simultaneously forming of a plurality of said second burr means extending inwardly toward said stud gripping zone surrounding each of said second hole means.  
   
   
       14 . An adjustable framing stud spacing means for facilitating defining of a planar support surface for securing construction panels thereto as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first side panel and said first return panel and said face plate and said second return panel and said second side panel are formed as a single integral member from a flexibly resilient material.  
   
   
       15 . An adjustable framing stud spacing means for facilitating defining of a planar support surface for securing construction panels thereto as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first side panel and said first return panel and said face plate and said second return panel and said second side panel are formed as a single integral member from a flexibly resilient metal.  
   
   
       16 . An adjustable framing stud spacing means for facilitating defining of a planar support surface for securing construction panels thereto as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first return panel and said first side panel define a first bent intersection line therebetween that forms a longitudinally extending zone of weakness therebetween and wherein said second return panel and said second side panel define a second bent intersection line therebetween that forms a longitudinally extending zone of weakness therebetween in order to facilitate flexible resilience of said first side panel and said second side panel to facilitate gripping engagement of a framing stud positioned therebetween within said stud gripping zone.  
   
   
       17 . An adjustable framing stud spacing means for facilitating defining of a planar support surface for securing construction panels thereto as defined in  claim 1  further comprising a first guide panel secured to said first side panel and extending rearwardly and outwardly away therefrom and a second guide panel secured to said second side panel and extending rearwardly and outwardly away therefrom to facilitate positioning of a framing stud within said stud gripping zone between said first inner side surface of said first side panel and said second inner side surface of said second side panel, said first guide panel and said second guide panel each being angled outwardly away from one another.  
   
   
       18 . An adjustable framing stud spacing means for facilitating defining of a planar support surface for securing construction panels thereto as defined in  claim 17  wherein said first guide panel and said second guide panel define a zone insert opening means therebetween extending longitudinally therealong to facilitate selective placement of a framing stud into said stud gripping zone and wherein said stud gripping zone is laterally defined between said first inner side surface of said first side panel and said second inner side surface of said second side panel and is further defined between said rear face plate surface of said face plate and said zone insert opening means defined between said first guide panel and said second guide panel.  
   
   
       19 . An adjustable framing stud spacing means for facilitating defining of a planar support surface for securing construction panels thereto as defined in  claim 1  further comprising a first primary securement means including a first threaded fastener means adapted to penetrate through said first side panel into engagement with the framing stud positioned thereadjacent for fixed securement therebetween and further comprising a second primary securement means including a second threaded fastener means adapted to penetrate through said second side panel into engagement with the framing stud positioned thereadjacent for fixed securement therebetween.  
   
   
       20 . An adjustable framing stud spacing means for facilitating defining of a planar support surface for securing construction panels thereto as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first inner side surface of said first side panel and said second inner side surface of said second side panel are spaced apart approximately 1.5 inches to facilitate gripping of a framing stud therebetween.  
   
   
       21 . An adjustable framing stud spacing means for facilitating defining of a planar support surface for securing construction panels thereto comprising: 
 A. a face plate defining a front face plate surface and a rear face plate surface with a construction panel adapted to be positioned in abutment with said front face plate surface for securement thereto, said face plate adapted to be positioned along a framing stud in a position extending longitudinally therealong with said rear face plate surface facing the framing stud retained thereadjacent, said face plate being selectively securable at a desired distance with respect to the adjacent framing stud for achieving the desired alignment thereof;    B. a first return panel attached to said face plate and extending angularly inwardly therefrom adjacent to said rear face plate surface, said first return panel extending longitudinally along said face plate, said first return panel extending behind said rear surface of said face plate at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees with respect thereto;    C. a second return panel attached to said face plate spatially disposed from said first return panel and extending angularly inwardly therefrom adjacent to said rear face plate surface in a direction extending toward said first return panel, said second return panel extending longitudinally along said face plate, said second return panel extending behind said rear surface of said face plate at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees with respect thereto;    D. a first side panel of flexibly resilient material and being attached to said first return panel and extending longitudinally therealong, said first side panel extending inwardly obliquely with respect to said first return panel and approximately perpendicularly with respect to said face plate, said first side panel defining a first inner side surface and a first outer side surface, said first inner side surface of said first side panel adapted to resiliently abut and retain a framing stud thereagainst for maintaining the desired spacing of said face plate from the stud extending longitudinally therealong;    E. a second side panel of flexibly resilient material and being attached to said second return panel and extending longitudinally therealong, said second side panel defining a second inner side surface and a second outer side surface, said second side panel extending inwardly obliquely with respect to said second return panel and approximately perpendicularly with respect to said face plate, said second inner side surface of said second side panel adapted to abut and retain a framing stud thereagainst for maintaining the desired spacing of said face plate from the stud extending longitudinally therealong, said second inner side surface of said first side panel adapted to resiliently abut a framing stud for facilitating attachment thereto, said first inner side surface of said first side panel and said second inner side surface of said second side panel extending generally parallel with respect to one another to define a stud gripping zone therebetween, the width of said face plate being greater than the lateral width of said stud gripping zone defined between said first side panel and said second side panel to provide an area larger than the framing stud for securement of the construction panel with respect thereto, said first side panel and said first return panel and said face plate and said second return panel and said second side panel are formed as a single integral member from a flexibly resilient metal to facilitate securement of a framing stud within said stud gripping zone;    F. a first preliminary securement means positioned on said first side panel to facilitate selectively detachably engagement thereof with respect to a framing stud positioned thereadjacent in said stud gripping zone;    G. a second preliminary securement means positioned on said second side panel to facilitate selectively detachably engagement thereof with respect to a framing stud positioned thereadjacent in said stud gripping zone;    H. a first threaded fastener means adapted to penetrate through said first side panel into engagement with the framing stud positioned thereadjacent for fixed securement therebetween; and    I. a second threaded fastener means adapted to penetrate through said second side panel into engagement with the framing stud positioned thereadjacent for fixed securement therebetween.    
   
   
       22 . An adjustable framing stud spacing means for facilitating defining of a planar support surface for securing construction panels thereto comprising: 
 A. a face plate defining a front face plate surface and a rear face plate surface with a construction panel adapted to be positioned in abutment with said front face plate surface for securement thereto, said face plate adapted to be positioned along a framing stud in a position extending longitudinally therealong with said rear face plate surface facing the framing stud retained thereadjacent, said face plate being selectively securable at a desired distance with respect to the adjacent framing stud for achieving the desired alignment thereof;    B. a first return panel attached to said face plate and extending angularly inwardly therefrom adjacent to said rear face plate surface, said first return panel extending longitudinally along said face plate, said first return panel extending behind said rear surface of said face plate at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees with respect thereto;    C. a second return panel attached to said face plate spatially disposed from said first return panel and extending angularly inwardly therefrom adjacent to said rear face plate surface in a direction extending toward said first return panel, said second return panel extending longitudinally along said face plate, said second return panel extending behind said rear surface of said face plate at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees with respect thereto;    D. a first side panel of flexibly resilient material and being attached to said first return panel and extending longitudinally therealong, said first side panel extending inwardly obliquely with respect to said first return panel and approximately perpendicularly with respect to said face plate, said first side panel defining a first inner side surface and a first outer side surface, said first inner side surface of said first side panel adapted to resiliently abut and retain a framing stud thereagainst for maintaining the desired spacing of said face plate from the stud extending longitudinally therealong, said first side panel defining a plurality of first hole means therein;    E. a second side panel of flexibly resilient material and being attached to said second return panel and extending longitudinally therealong, said second side panel defining a second inner side surface and a second outer side surface, said second side panel extending inwardly obliquely with respect to said second return panel and approximately perpendicularly with respect to said face plate, said second inner side surface of said second side panel adapted to abut and retain a framing stud thereagainst for maintaining the desired spacing of said face plate from the stud extending longitudinally therealong, said second inner side surface of said first side panel adapted to resiliently abut a framing stud for facilitating attachment thereto, said first inner side surface of said first side panel and said second inner side surface of said second side panel extending generally parallel with respect to one another to define a stud gripping zone therebetween, the width of said face plate being greater than the lateral width of said stud gripping zone defined between said first side panel and said second side panel to provide an area larger than the framing stud for securement of the construction panel with respect thereto, said first side panel and said first return panel and said face plate and said second return panel and said second side panel are formed as a single integral member from a flexibly resilient metal to facilitate securement of a framing stud within said stud gripping zone, said second side panel defining a plurality of second hole means therein;    F. a first preliminary securement means positioned on said first side panel to facilitate selectively detachably engagement thereof with respect to a framing stud positioned thereadjacent in said stud gripping zone, said first preliminary securement means including a plurality of first burr means each being located adjacent to one of said first hole means and extending inwardly from said first inner side surface to facilitate detachably engagement thereof with respect to a framing stud positioned thereadjacent in said stud gripping zone, each of said first hole means and the adjacently positioned first burr means being simultaneously formed by punching of said first side panel from said first outer side surface to form a plurality of said first hole means therein while simultaneously forming of a plurality of said first burr means extending inwardly toward said stud gripping zone surrounding each of said first hole means;    G. a second preliminary securement means positioned on said second side panel to facilitate selectively detachably engagement thereof with respect to a framing stud positioned thereadjacent in said stud gripping zone, sid second preliminary securement means including a plurality of second burr means each being located adjacent to one of said second hole means and extending inwardly from said second inner side surface to facilitate detachably engagement thereof with respect to a framing stud positioned thereadjacent in said stud gripping zone, each of said second hole means and the adjacently positioned second burr means being simultaneously formed by punching of said second side panel from said second outer side surface to form a plurality of said second hole means therein while simultaneously forming of a plurality of said second burr means extending inwardly toward said stud gripping zone surrounding each of said second hole means;    H. a first primary securement means for fixedly securing said first inner side surface of said first side panel with respect to a framing stud positioned thereadjacent in said stud gripping zone, said first primary securement means including a plurality of first threaded fastener means adapted to penetrate through said first side panel into engagement with the framing stud positioned thereadjacent for fixed securement therebetween;    I. a second primary securement means for fixedly securing said second inner side surface of said second side panel with respect to a framing stud positioned thereadjacent in said stud gripping zone, said second primary securement means including a plurality of second threaded fastener means adapted to penetrate through said second side panel into engagement with the framing stud positioned thereadjacent for fixed securement therebetween;    J. a first guide panel secured to said first side panel and extending rearwardly and outwardly away therefrom to facilitate positioning of a framing stud within said stud gripping zone between said first inner side surface of said first side panel and said second inner side surface of said second side panel; and    K. a second guide panel secured to said second side panel and extending rearwardly and outwardly away therefrom to facilitate positioning of a framing stud within said stud gripping zone between said first inner side surface of said first side panel and said second inner side surface of said second side panel, said first guide panel and said second guide panel each being angled outwardly away from one another.