Method and apparatus for positioning, spacing and securement of studs within top and bottom framing plates

Abstract

An apparatus for positioning, spacing and securement of studs along a length of upper and lower framing plates. A body has first and second ribs, with the ribs being spaced such that the distance there between equals the approximate depth of the studs. A positioning bridge extends from the ribs and includes a stud spacing locator on the bridge. A method us use of the apparatus to build a wall is also disclosed.

What is desired to be claimed and secured by Letters Patent is: 
     
         1 ) Apparatus for positioning, spacing and securement of studs along a length of upper and lower framing plates, said apparatus comprising:
 (a) a body;   (b) first and second elongated rib members of a given equal width, each rib member having an inner wall and an outer wall, first and second opposing ends and a face member extending vertically and across each said rib members at the first ends of said rib members, said rib members being spaced from one another such that the distance between the inner walls of said rib members equals approximately the depth of the studs to be affixed along said length of said framing plates;   (c) a positioning bridge having inner and outer faces and extending between said rib members and positioned relative to each said rib member at the first respective ends of each rib member and along the inner face of the positioning bridge; and   (d) a stud spacing locator on said positioning bridge.   
     
     
         2 ) The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the stud spacing locator is a gap between plural pyramid-configured members on the positioning bridge. 
     
     
         3 ) The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the spacing locator extends outwardly of said inner face and between said rib members and into the stud affixation receptacle. 
     
     
         4 ) apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said positioning bridge further comprises a portion along the inner wall and below the lower faces of each of the elongated rib members to form there between a smooth surface for sliding the apparatus along the length of a plank. 
     
     
         5 ) A method for positioning, spacing and securement of studs along a length of upper and lower framing plates, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) placing first and second planks side-by-side;   (b) affixing onto at least one of the planks at least one mark indicating the distance between studs to later be positioned and affixed to said planks;   (c) placing vertically across said planks an apparatus, said apparatus comprising:   (d) a body;   (e) first and second elongated rib members of a given equal width, each rib member having an inner wall and an outer wall, first and second opposing ends and a face member extending vertically and across each said rib members at the first ends of said rib members, said rib members being spaced from one another such that the distance between the inner walls of said rib members equals approximately the depth of the studs to be affixed along said length of said framing plates;   (f) a positioning bridge having inner and outer faces and extending between said rib members and positioned relative to each said rib member at the first respective ends of each rib member and along the inner face of the positioning bridge; and   (g) a stud spacing locator on said positioning bridge;   (h) orienting said positioning bridge along said plank such that the stud spacing locator is aligned with a given mark;   (i) using a marker to provide a line along each of said outer walls of said ribs; and   (j) moving the apparatus along the length of said planks and repeating steps  3  and  4 , as continuously necessary for the number of studs to be located and affixed to each said plank.