Expandable Stud Bracket

Abstract

An expandable stud bracket for attachment to a 2×4, 2×6, or 4×4 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 detachable foot portion may be used as part of the entire disclosed expansion system. Preferably, the extendable rod is threaded and the locking mechanism comprises a nut which can be tightened using a lever. The bracket may also accommodate angled surfaces.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . 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.   
     
     
         2 . The stud expansion system of  claim 1 , wherein the expansion mechanism attaches within the first open end of the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The stud expansion system of  claim 1 , 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. 
     
     
         4 . The stud expansion system of  claim 1 , 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. 
     
     
         5 . The stud expansion system of  claim 1 , further comprising a lever for tightening the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The stud expansion system of  claim 5 , wherein the lever attaches to the housing sidewall for storage. 
     
     
         7 . The stud expansion system of  claim 4 , wherein the detachable foot further comprises a pad attached to the mounting surface. 
     
     
         8 . The stud expansion system of  claim 4 , wherein the detachable foot comprises a notch in the mounting surface for storage about the extension rod. 
     
     
         9 . The stud expansion system of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor plate comprises at least one hole for securing to a stud via a nail or screw. 
     
     
         10 . The stud expansion system of  claim 1 , wherein the extension rod and extension tube are both threaded. 
     
     
         11 . The stud expansion system of  claim 10 , wherein the locking mechanism is a nut attached to the threaded extension rod. 
     
     
         12 . A stud bracket comprising:
 a housing having a receiving end for securing a stud therein, wherein the stud is secured within the housing at a single pivot point;   a base attached to the housing and comprising a first angled surface for contacting the received end of the stud; and   a movable second angled surface for adjusting the contact angle of the received end of the stud.   
     
     
         13 . The stud bracket of  claim 12 , wherein the first angled surface is fixed within the base. 
     
     
         14 . The stud bracket of  claim 13 , wherein the second angled surface is slidably connected to the first surface. 
     
     
         15 . The stud bracket of  claim 12 , wherein the single pivot point is movable within a slot defined within the housing to allow linear adjustment of the bracket on the stud. 
     
     
         16 . The stud bracket of  claim 12 , wherein the contact angle is within the range of from about 45 degrees to about 90 degrees. 
     
     
         17 . A stud sleeve comprising:
 a housing having a plurality of sidewalls to define a retention area for a board end, wherein the housing is open on two opposite ends to allow the insertion of a board at each end; and   a stop positioned within the housing to halt the insertion of a board into the housing from either end of the housing.   
     
     
         18 . The stud sleeve of  claim 17 , further comprising a plurality of holes defined in the housing walls for affixing boards with nails or screws. 
     
     
         19 . The stud sleeve of  claim 17 , wherein the stop is a single panel dividing the housing.