Stud Punch

Abstract

A stud punch device is disclosed that can be configured to punch holes in metal studs that have been placed at various elevations in a structure. The disclosed stud punch can be configured to adjust its elevation so that the operator of the device can sand on a floor while punching the cut outs rather than having to climb a ladder or scaffolding to operate the device near the location of the hole(s) to be punched out by the stud punch device.

1 . An apparatus for punching holes in metal studs, comprising:
 a head unit having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said distal end of said head unit includes a die, wherein said die includes a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end of said head unit includes a punch, and wherein said die and said punch are configured to work in conjunction to punch holes in metal studs;   a first pole having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said distal end of said first pole is connected to said head unit;   a second pole having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said distal end of said second pole is connected to said head unit with a linkage, wherein said linkage is configured to permit said punch to move from an unactuated position to an actuated position within said head unit when moving said second pole from a proximal position to a distal position; and   wherein said apparatus has an overall length that extends proximally in a perpendicular direction from said proximal end of said die and interfaces a reference line that extends horizontally from said distal end of said first pole, wherein such overall length is at least 24 inches.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a third pole connects said proximal end of said first pole to said proximal end of said second pole in a manner that permits said second pole to move relative to said first pole. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said third pole extends in a downward direction from said proximal end of said second pole when said second pole is positioned such that said punch is in said actuated position. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first pole and said second pole are each extendable so as to adjust said overall length of said apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said first pole and said second pole each comprise at least two telescopic sections. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said first pole and said second pole each comprise three telescopic sections. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said distal end of said first pole is connected to said distal end of said head unit and said distal end of said second pole is connected to said proximal end of said head unit. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said connection between said distal end of said first pole and said head unit includes a fixed connection. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said overall length is at least 45 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said overall length is at least 70 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said reference line that extends proximally in a perpendicular direction from said proximal end of said die is parallel to a reference line that extends along the centerline of said first pole. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is configured so as to permit a user standing at a proximal location on a floor of a building to actuate said punch relative to said die to create a punch out in a top plate of a stud, wherein said top plate of said stud is located at an elevation of at least eight feet above said floor. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for punching holes in metal studs, comprising:
 a head unit that includes a die and a punch, wherein said die and said punch are configured to work in conjunction with one another to punch holes in metal studs;   a first pole having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said distal end of said first pole is connected to said head unit and wherein said first pole is extendable;   a second pole having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said distal end of said second pole is connected to said head unit and wherein said second pole is extendable;   wherein said first pole and said second pole are configured to move relative to one another so as to actuate said punch relative to said die; and   wherein said apparatus is configured so as to permit a user standing at a proximal location on a floor of a building to actuate said punch relative to said die to create a cut out in the top plate of a metal stud, wherein said top plate of said metal stud is located at least eight feet above said floor of said building.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein a third pole connects said proximal end of said first pole to said proximal end of said second pole. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said first pole and said second pole each comprise at least two telescopic sections. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said first pole and said second pole each comprise three telescopic sections. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said die and said first pole each includes a centerline, wherein a reference line projected distally from said centerline of said die is parallel to a reference line project along said centerline of said first pole. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for punching holes in metal studs, comprising:
 a head unit having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said head unit includes a die and a punch that are configured to work in conjunction to punch holes in metal studs;   a first pole having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said distal end of said first pole is connected to said head unit;   a second pole having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said distal end of said second pole is connected to said head unit; and   wherein said die and said first pole are configured such that a reference line projected distally from the center line of said die and a reference line projected distally from the center line of said first pole interface at a distal location above said apparatus to form an interior angle falling within the range of from 0 degrees to 45 degrees.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said die is located at said distal end of said heat unit. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said distal end of said first pole is connected to said distal end of said head unit. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said apparatus is configured so as to permit a user standing at a proximal location on a floor of a building to actuate said punch relative to said die while said head unit is located at a distal location at least eight feet above said floor of said building. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein a third pole connects said proximal end of said first pole to said proximal end of said second pole. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said interior angle falls within the range of 8 degrees to 12 degrees. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein said interior angle is 10 degrees.