Abstract:
A leak-proof lead barrier system to be installed on the interior of metal studs, to be used in conjunction with lead laminated gypsum board. The leak-proof lead barrier system provides an easier and less time-consuming method of sealing a radiation protective room in one step.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is for a leak-proof lead barrier system for use with metal stud framed walls typically installed in X-ray rooms and other areas where radiation protection is needed. The leak-proof lead barrier system utilizes a lead barrier plate secured to the interior of a metal stud before lead-backed gypsum board is installed. The leak-proof lead barrier system can also be adapted for use with header and footer plates. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The current method for creating a leak-proof lead barrier to be used with metal studs and lead laminated gypsum board requires the installer to countersink all the drywall screws into the lead laminated gypsum board when securing the lead laminated gypsum board to metal studs. Once the screws are countersunk, lead screw caps slightly larger than the screw heads are positioned over each and every drywall screw and also countersunk before the seams are taped and finished. In addition to the lead screw caps, a thin strip of sheet lead needs to be installed between the lead portion of the gypsum board and the metal stud where two or more sheets of the lead laminated gypsum board are butted together to prevent leakage at the seam. 
     The current method requires extensive, time-consuming labor to install, especially at the joints where two or more sheets of lead laminated gypsum board meet. In addition to the time and labor drawbacks, the integrity of the gypsum in the lead laminated gypsum board is compromised due to countersinking the screws and the use of lead screw caps, which causes the gypsum to crack and crumble. 
     The present invention addresses and corrects all of the previously mentioned shortcomings and will be described in detail in the preferred embodiment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The general purpose of the present invention is to provide a leak-proof lead barrier system to be used in conjunction with lead laminated gypsum board. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a lead barrier plate, including a mounting portion and a barrier portion, which is appropriately secured to the interior of a metal stud prior to installing lead laminated gypsum board. This lead barrier plate provides a lead barrier where holes are created in the lead backing of the lead laminated gypsum board when it is screwed onto the metal studs and where two or more sheets of the lead laminated gypsum board meet, eliminating the need for lead screw caps and strips of sheet lead at seams. 
     One significant aspect and feature of the present invention is an angled lead barrier plate which mounts to the interior of a metal stud. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is one-step installation of the leak-proof lead barrier plate. 
     Still another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is elimination of lead screw caps which compromise the integrity of the gypsum board. 
     Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is elimination of lead sheet metal applied to the interior seam of two or more lead laminated gypsum boards. 
     A further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is that thickness of the lead barrier plate may be changed to accommodate the needs of the user without affecting form or function. 
     Having thus enumerated significant aspects and features of the present invention, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a leak-proof lead barrier system to be used with lead laminated gypsum board and metal studs. 
     One object of the present invention is to provide a leak-proof lead barrier system which can be installed in one step. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a leak-proof lead barrier system which does not require lead screw caps. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a leak-proof lead barrier system which does not require additional lead sheeting where two or more lead laminated gypsum boards meet. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a means of creating a leak-proof lead barrier system which will not compromise the integrity of the lead laminated gypsum board. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a leak-proof lead barrier system, the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the leak-proof lead barrier system; and, 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the prior art method of creating a leak-proof lead barrier system. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a leak-proof lead barrier system  10 , the present invention. The leak-proof lead barrier system  10  is created by vertically aligning and securing an angled lead barrier plate  12 , having a mounting portion  16  and a barrier portion  14 , to the interior of the central planar portion  18  of a metal stud  20 . The lead barrier plate  12  is secured to the metal stud  20  by a plurality of sheet metal screws  30   a - 30   n  which pass through the mounting portion  16  of the lead barrier plate  12  and into the central planar portion  18  of the metal stud  20 . It is to be understood that other appropriate means of securement may be used such as, but not limited to, welding, extrusion or metal adhesive. In the illustrated case, the number of sheet metal screws  30   a - 30   n  is dependent on the height of the metal stud  20 . Each metal stud  20  has a front planar portion  22  and a rear planar portion  24  which extend outwardly from central planar portion  18 , and flanges  26  and  28  extend inwardly from the front planar portion  22  and rear planar portion  24 , as illustrated. 
     The purpose and use of the leak-proof lead barrier system  10  will become visibly apparent when lead laminated gypsum boards are secured to either the front planar portion  22  (FIG.  2 ), the rear planar portion  24  (not illustrated) or both planar portions  22  and  24  (not illustrated) of the metal stud  20 . 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the leak-proof lead barrier system  10 . The lead barrier plate  12  is mounted to the metal stud  20  as described in FIG.  1 . Illustrated in particular are two lead laminated gypsum boards  32   a  and  32   b , each having a lead portion  34   a  and  34   b , respectively, and oriented in abutting fashion. The juncture where the lead laminated gypsum boards  32   a  and  32   b  meet is centrally aligned along the front planar portion  22  of the metal stud  20  where a plurality of drywall screws  36   a - 36   n  secure the lead laminated gypsum boards  32   a  and  32   b  to the metal stud  20 . Once again, the number of drywall screws  36   a - 36   n  needed is dependent on the height of the lead laminated gypsum boards  32   a  and  32   b  and metal stud  20 . 
     Once the lead laminated gypsum boards  32   a  and  32   b  are appropriately secured to the front planar portion  22  of metal stud  20 , it becomes apparent that holes  38   a - 38   n  are created in the lead portions  34   a  and  34   b  of the lead laminated gypsum boards  32   a  and  32   b , creating leaks. Due to the fact that gamma rays, including X-rays, only travel in a straight line, the barrier portion  14  of the lead barrier plate  12  extends beyond flanges  26  and  28 , the holes  38   a - 38   n , and the juncture where lead laminated gypsum boards  32   a  and  32   b  abut. Thus, a leak-proof lead barrier system  10  is created without lead screw caps being installed over each screw or a narrow strip of sheet lead being installed at the seams, as shown in the prior art illustration of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the prior art method of creating a leak-proof lead barrier system  100 , having lead laminated gypsum boards  104   a  and  104   b , each having a lead portion  105   a  and  105   b , a metal stud  106 , and drywall screws  118   a - 118   n  identical to those previously described. The metal stud  106  is comprised of a central planar portion  108 , a front planar portion  110 , a rear planar portion  112  and two flanges  114  and  116 . Illustrated in particular is a sheet lead strip  102  which is positioned between lead portions  105   a  and  105   b  of the lead laminated gypsum boards  104   a  and  104   b  and metal stud  106  and secured in place by drywall screws  118   a - 118   n  which are countersunk into lead laminated gypsum boards  104   a  and  104   b . The sheet lead strip  102  provides leak protection where lead laminated gypsum boards  104   a  and  104   b  abut, and lead screw caps  120   a - 120   n  are installed over each drywall screw  118   a - 118   n  and countersunk to provide leak protection for the holes created by the drywall screws  118   a - 118   n . By countersinking both the drywall screws  118   a - 118   n  and the lead screw caps  120   a - 120   n , the gypsum layers of the lead laminated gypsum boards  104   a  and  104   b  typically crack and crumble, compromising the integrity of the entire sheets. 
     The present invention provides an easy one-step application which is less labor intensive, less time consuming and does not compromise the integrity of the gypsum in the lead laminated gypsum boards. 
     Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the apparent scope hereof. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 LEAK-PROOF LEAD BARRIER SYSTEM 
               
               
                 PARTS LIST 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                  10 
                 leak-proof lead 
               
               
                   
                   
                 barrier system 
               
               
                   
                  12 
                 lead barrier 
               
               
                   
                   
                 plate 
               
               
                   
                  14 
                 barrier portion 
               
               
                   
                  16 
                 mounting portion 
               
               
                   
                  18 
                 central planar 
               
               
                   
                   
                 portion 
               
               
                   
                  20 
                 metal stud 
               
               
                   
                  22 
                 front planar 
               
               
                   
                   
                 portion 
               
               
                   
                  24 
                 rear planar 
               
               
                   
                   
                 portion 
               
               
                   
                  26 
                 flange 
               
               
                   
                  28 
                 flange 
               
               
                   
                  30a-n 
                 sheet metal 
               
               
                   
                   
                 screws 
               
               
                   
                  32a-b 
                 lead laminated 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gypsum boards 
               
               
                   
                  34a-b 
                 lead portions 
               
               
                   
                  36a-n 
                 drywall screws 
               
               
                   
                  38a-n 
                 holes 
               
               
                   
                 100 
                 leak-proof lead 
               
               
                   
                   
                 barrier system 
               
               
                   
                 102 
                 sheet lead strip 
               
               
                   
                 104a-b 
                 lead laminated 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gypsum boards 
               
               
                   
                 105a-b 
                 lead portions 
               
               
                   
                 106 
                 metal stud 
               
               
                   
                 108 
                 central planar 
               
               
                   
                   
                 portion 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                 front planar 
               
               
                   
                   
                 portion 
               
               
                   
                 112 
                 rear planar 
               
               
                   
                   
                 portion 
               
               
                   
                 114 
                 flange 
               
               
                   
                 116 
                 flange 
               
               
                   
                 118a-n 
                 drywall screws 
               
               
                   
                 120a-n 
                 lead screw caps