Preformed Niche Assembly

Abstract

A preformed niche assembly and method of forming a niche include attaching the niche assembly in a stud cavity before a wall covering is installed. The preformed niche assembly includes a body that is constructed to be received in a stud cavity and a flange that extends about a perimeter of the body. The flange includes a first surface constructed to engage a stud and a second surface generally aligned with the first surface. The second surface of the flange is constructed to engage a non-exposed surface of a wall covering. The preformed niche assembly simplifies niche formation and allows positioning of a niche prior to installation of the wall covering.

1 . A preformed niche assembly comprising:
 a body constructed to be received in a stud cavity;   a flange extending generally about a perimeter of the body and having a first surface and a second surface generally aligned with the first surface; and   wherein the first surface is constructed to engage a stud and the second surface is constructed to engage a non-exposed surface of a wall covering.   
     
     
         2 . The preformed niche assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of holes formed in the flange. 
     
     
         3 . The preformed niche assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a groove formed between the flange and the body for guiding a cutter 
     
     
         4 . The preformed niche assembly of  claim 1  wherein the flange is offset from a front edge of the body a distance of approximately a thickness of a desired wall board. 
     
     
         5 . The preformed niche assembly of  claim 4  further comprising a lip formed at the front edge of the body and extending in a direction generally opposite a direction of the offset. 
     
     
         6 . The preformed niche assembly of  claim 1  wherein the body and flange are integrally formed of a plastic material. 
     
     
         7 . A preformed wall cavity comprising:
 a back panel;   a side panel extending generally perpendicular from the back panel;   a rib extending generally perpendicular from the side panel; and   a groove formed in the rib proximate the side panel and constructed to guide a cutter about the side panel.   
     
     
         8 . The preformed wall cavity of  claim 7  further comprising a mud lip extending from the side panel in a direction generally perpendicular to a direction of the rib from an edge of the side panel generally opposite the back panel. 
     
     
         9 . The preformed wall cavity of  claim 8  wherein the side panel and the mud lip has a length that is generally equally to the sum of a stud depth plus a thickness of one wall covering plus a joint compound thickness. 
     
     
         10 . The preformed wall cavity of  claim 7  formed of a plastic material. 
     
     
         11 . The preformed wall cavity of  claim 7  further comprising a plurality of nail holes formed in the rib for securing the wall cavity to a stud. 
     
     
         12 . The preformed wall cavity of  claim 7  having a width approximately equal to a distance between an outside surface of adjoining studs. 
     
     
         13 . The preformed wall cavity of  claim 7  wherein the rib has a generally S-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         14 . The preformed wall cavity of  claim 7  wherein the rib has a portion that extends in a first direction from a stud face and the groove extends from the stud face in a second direction generally opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         15 . A method of forming a niche comprising:
 forming a cavity constructed to be received in a stud space, the cavity being defined by an end panel and a upstanding side panel;   extending a flange from the cavity for engaging studs positioned on generally opposite sides of the stud space; and   offsetting the flange from a front edge of the upstanding side panel for engaging the stud and a backside of a wallboard.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising forming a cutting guide in the flange and extending the cutting guide about the cavity. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising forming the cavity and flange as a unitary assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising forming at least one hole in the flange for receiving a fastener to secure the flange to a stud. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising forming a mud lip on the front edge of the upstanding side panel. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising forming the niche to receive a drywall compound over an exposed face of the cavity and an exposed portion of the flange.