Horizontal portion of a frame in a stud wall and installation tool therefor

Abstract

A horizontal portion of a frame, as a door header, of a predetermined length for installation between two adjacent studs of a stud wall spaced from one another. An installation tool, releasably mounted on a respective stud via a magnetic attachment, supports a respective end of the horizontal portion adjacent the metallic stud during attachment of the horizontal portion to the stud. A kit formed of at least one horizontal portion and at least one installation tool is also provided.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A horizontal portion of a frame defining an opening in a stud wall having two adjacent vertical studs spaced from one another by a predetermined distance and each having a stud width, the horizontal portion comprising:
 an elongate body including at least a bottom wall secured to first and second end walls opposite to one another, the elongate body having a body length generally equal to the predetermined distance and a body width generally equal to the stud width, the first and second end walls being securable to the two adjacent studs.   
     
     
         2 . The horizontal portion of  claim 1 , wherein said elongate body includes a lateral wall generally perpendicular to the bottom wall and extending between the first and second end walls, said lateral wall being secured to the bottom wall and to the first and second end walls. 
     
     
         3 . The horizontal portion of  claim 1 , wherein said elongate body includes first and second lateral walls generally perpendicular to the bottom wall and extending between the first and second end walls, said first and second lateral wall being secured to the bottom wall on opposite sides thereof and to the first and second end walls. 
     
     
         4 . A tool for the installation of the horizontal portion of a frame, the tool comprising:
 a main wall defining an outer surface and an inner surface thereof, the main wall including a support surface for supporting a longitudinal end of the horizontal portion thereon;   first and second side walls being parallel to one another and depending from the main wall away from the inner surface, the main wall and the first and second side walls forming an open channel for receiving one of the two adjacent studs therein, the support surface extending at least partially between the first and second side walls; and   an attachment member mounted on one of the main wall and the first and second side walls for releasably securing the tool to the one of the two adjacent stud.   
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 4 , wherein each of said first and second side walls extends beyond the outer surface and beyond the support surface to form a respective lateral guide. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of said first and second side walls includes a mark imprinted thereon and being levelled with the support surface for indication thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 4 , further including a handle member mounted on and extending from the outer surface of the main wall. 
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 4 , wherein the two adjacent studs are metallic studs and wherein said attachment member includes a magnet for releasably securing the tool to the one of the two adjacent metallic studs. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 8 , wherein the magnet is mounted on the inner surface of the main wall. 
     
     
         10 . A kit comprising:
 a horizontal portion of a frame defining an opening in a stud wall as claimed in  claim 1 ; and   at least one tool for the installation of the horizontal portion as claimed in  claim 4  between two adjacent vertical studs of the stud wall.   
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 10 , including two of said at least one tool for supporting a respective end of the horizontal portion when releasably secured to a respective one of said two adjacent vertical studs.