Expandable Stud Bracket

Abstract

An expandable stud bracket for attachment to a board for construction of a temporary structure of support is disclosed. An embodiment of the bracket includes a receiving portion for securing the bracket to a stud, an adjustable portion opposite the receiving portion and having an extendable rod, an engagement plate attached to an end of the rod and an anchor attached to an end of the rod opposite the engagement plate and for limiting extension of the rod from the bracket, and a locking mechanism attached to the rod for preventing retraction. Optionally, a tensioning mechanism, such as a Belleville washer may be used in a key location to “self-adjust” for shrinkage or tension loss. An embodiment of the disclosed bracket may be attached between two boards to permit better access to the locking mechanism. A reusable fastener is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An expandable stud bracket comprising:
 a receiving portion for securing the bracket to a stud;   an adjustable portion opposite the receiving portion and comprising an extendable rod, an engagement plate attached to an end of the rod and an anchor attached to an end of the rod opposite the engagement plate and for limiting extension of the rod from the bracket; and   a locking mechanism attached to the rod for preventing retraction.   
     
     
         2 . The expandable bracket of  claim 1 , further comprising a detachable foot portion. 
     
     
         3 . The expandable bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the extendable rod is threaded and the locking mechanism comprises a nut. 
     
     
         4 . The expandable bracket of  claim 1 , further comprising a tensioning mechanism positioned at one of either within the receiving portion at an interface with the stud and at an interface between the receiving portion and the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The expandable bracket of  claim 4 , wherein the tensioning mechanism comprises at least one Belleville washer. 
     
     
         6 . A stud expansion system comprising:
 a housing having a plurality of sidewalls, a first open end, a second open end and an opening defined in a sidewall for accessing the interior of the housing;   an expansion mechanism comprising an anchor plate, an extension tube fixed to the anchor plate, an extension rod movable within the extension tube, and an engagement plate fixed to an end of the extension rod; and   a locking mechanism for securing the extension rod at a desired extended length.   
     
     
         7 . The stud expansion system of  claim 5 , wherein the housing further comprises a plurality of holes defined in at least one of the plurality of sidewalls through which a stud may be secured within at least one of the first open end and the second open end via a nail or screw. 
     
     
         8 . The stud expansion system of  claim 5 , further comprising a detachable foot having a mounting surface having a least one hole defined therein for securing the foot to an end of a stud via a nail or screw. 
     
     
         9 . The stud expansion system of  claim 5 , further comprising a lever for tightening the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         10 . The stud expansion system of  claim 7 , wherein the detachable foot further comprises a pad attached to the mounting surface. 
     
     
         11 . The stud expansion system of  claim 7 , wherein the detachable foot comprises a notch in the mounting surface for storage about the extension rod. 
     
     
         12 . The stud expansion system of  claim 5 , wherein the anchor plate comprises at least one hole for securing to a stud via a nail or screw. 
     
     
         13 . A reusable fastener comprising:
 a body having a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of sides which together define a width, length and height of the body;   at least two pointed and parallel extensions from the bottom surface of the body;   wherein the body comprises contoured sides to facilitate grasping with fingers and at least one gap opening along a side immediately adjacent the bottom surface to facilitate insertion of a tool between the body and a substrate into which the fastener has been inserted.