Stud Spacer

Abstract

A stud spacer. The stud spacer includes an elongated bar having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion includes at least one channel therein. At least one rod extends perpendicularly away from an interior surface of the second portion and is slidably engaged with the channel such that the second portion can selectively move between an extended position and a retracted position. When the second portion is in the extended position, a linear distance between a first end of the elongated bar and a second end of the elongated bar is greater than when the second portion is in the retracted position. At least one fastener is disposed on a lower side of the elongated bar.

I claim: 
     
         1 ) A stud spacer, comprising:
 an elongated bar having a first portion and a second portion;   wherein the first portion comprises at least one channel therein;   at least one rod extending perpendicularly away from an interior surface of the second portion;   wherein the rod is slidably engaged with the channel such that the second portion is configured to selectively move between an extended position and a retracted position;   wherein a linear distance between a first end of the elongated bar and a second end of the elongated bar is greater when the second portion is in the extended position;   at least one fastener disposed on a lower side of the elongated bar.   
     
     
         2 ) The stud spacer of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle disposed on an upper side of the elongated bar. 
     
     
         3 ) The stud spacer of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one securing member extending through an upper side of the elongated bar and into the channel, wherein the securing member is configured to secure the rod in a desired position via friction fit when the securing member is actuated. 
     
     
         4 ) The stud spacer of  claim 1 , further comprising indicia disposed on the rod, wherein the indicia are configured to indicate the linear distance when the indicia is aligned with an interior side of the first portion. 
     
     
         5 ) The stud spacer of  claim 1 , wherein a pair of rods extend from the interior surface and slidably engage with an opposing pair of channels, such that the pair of rods prevent rotation of the second portion about a longitudinal axis of the elongated bar. 
     
     
         6 ) A method of installing adjacent studs using a stud spacer, comprising:
 providing a stud spacer having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion is configured to selectively move between an extended position and a retracted position;   removably securing a first stud within a frame;   placing a first end of the stud spacer flush against the first stud;   removably securing the stud spacer to a lower portion of the frame via a fastener disposed on a lower side of the stud spacer;   extending the second portion such that a linear distance between the first end and a second end of the stud spacer is a desired distance between an adjacent pair of studs;   placing a second stud flush against the second end;   removably securing the second stud to the frame.   
     
     
         7 ) The method of installing adjacent studs using a stud spacer of  claim 6 , further comprising removably securing a second stud spacer to an upper portion of the frame, wherein the second stud spacer is extended to the desired distance between an adjacent pair of studs. 
     
     
         8 ) The method of installing adjacent studs using a stud spacer of  claim 7 , further comprising placing the second stud flush against the second stud spacer, such that the second stud is perpendicular to the lower portion of the frame and the upper portion of the frame.