Safety plate

A safety plate has a first, concave side for abutting a pipe, a second, convex side opposite the first, concave side, an arcuate portion interposed between a first linear portion and a second linear portion, a first edge on the first arcuate portion, and a second edge on the second arcuate portion; wherein the distance between the first and second edges is less than an exterior diameter of the pipe. A method of using a safety plate involves forcing the first side of the safety plate to abut the pipe, the safety plate extending around at least half of the circumference of the pipe.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to building construction. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a safety plate to prohibit nails, screws, or other objects from puncturing in-wall pipes, electrical wires, cable wiring, etc.

BACKGROUND

In home and building construction, a safety plate (also known as a nail plate, stud guard, or notch plate) is typically secured to a stud to prevent a nail or screw from penetrating one or more pipes passing through the stud. In other words, nails and screws are used to secure drywall or other materials to the studs. Without a safety plate, the nail may enter the stud and puncture the pipe or wiring passing through the stud. To prevent this from occurring, safety plates have been used (and are required in many jurisdictions to pass an inspection) that are secured to the exterior of a stud. However, there are several scenarios for which the safety plates in the art are ineffective. For example, if the stud gap is larger than the safety plate, builders often attempt to combine multiple safety plates to protect the pipe. However, combining safety plates is not ideal, as it creates weak points and may not properly protect the pipe or wiring. Accordingly, there is a need for a safety plate that does not require attachment to the studs.

In other scenarios, the safety plate is often larger than the required coverage area, often resulting in portions of the safety plate that remain unsecured from a stud (i.e., overhanging edges). Therefore, despite the prior art's attempts, there still remains a need for a safety plate that can easily protect a pipe in a wall regardless of the number of studs present, and that can protect the pipe at issue without worrying about the size or distance of studs in the wall in relation to the pipe. The present disclosure seeks to solve these and other problems.

SUMMARY OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In one embodiment, a safety plate is shaped complementary to a pipe and comprises a first side, a second side, a first edge bent inwardly toward the first side, and second edge bent inwardly toward the first side, the bent edges allowing the safety plate to be secured to a pipe via tension.

In one embodiment, a safety plate comprises an arcuate portion and two linear portions, each linear portion having an edge, wherein the distance between the first linear edge and the second linear edge is less than the outer diameter of a pipe.

In one embodiment, a safety plate comprises a first side and a second side, wherein the first side comprises an adhesive for coupling to a pipe or other surface needing protection from nails, screws, or other devices that may puncture the item. In one embodiment, the safety plate is curved so as to conform to the shape of a pipe. In one embodiment, the safety plate is flat.

In one embodiment, a method of using a safety plate comprises placing the first side adjacent to a pipe and exerting a force on the second side of the safety plate, forcing the first edge and second edge of the linear portions to flex around the pipe, securing the safety plate to the pipe via tension, the first and second edges exerting an inward force on the pipe to secure the safety plate in position. In one embodiment, the safety plate is positioned within a pipe aperture in a stud.

In one embodiment, a method of using a safety plate comprises adhering the adhesive side of the plate to a pipe, the opposite side exposed and positioned so as to prevent puncture of the pipe. In one embodiment, the safety plate is positioned within a pipe aperture in a stud. In another embodiment, the safety plate is positioned on the exterior of a stud.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The following descriptions depict only example embodiments and are not to be considered limiting in scope. Any reference herein to “the invention” is not intended to restrict or limit the invention to exact features or steps of any one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “various embodiments,” and the like, may indicate that the embodiment(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

Reference to the drawings is done throughout the disclosure using various numbers. The numbers used are for the convenience of the drafter only and the absence of numbers in an apparent sequence should not be considered limiting and does not imply that additional parts of that particular embodiment exist. Numbering patterns from one embodiment to the other need not imply that each embodiment has similar parts, although it may.

It should be understood that the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence, arrangement, or with any particular graphics or interface. Indeed, the steps of the disclosed processes or methods generally may be carried out in various sequences and arrangements while still falling within the scope of the present invention.

The term “coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other.

The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments, are synonymous, and are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including, but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes, but is not limited to,” etc.).

As previously discussed, there is a need for a safety plate that can easily protect a pipe in a wall regardless of the number of studs present, and that can protect the pipe at issue without worrying about the size or distance of studs in the wall in relation to the pipe. Further, there is a need for a safety plate that does not require attachment to the studs. As will be appreciated from the below disclosure, the safety plate shown and described herein solves these needs and others.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 1-7, a safety plate100is shaped complementary to a pipe and comprises a first side (i.e., concave, back side)102and a second side (i.e., convex, front side)104, a first edge106bent inwardly toward the first side102, and second edge108bent inwardly toward the first side104, the bent edges106,108allowing the safety plate100to be secured to a pipe via tension, as shown inFIG. 7. The safety plate100therefore comprises an arcuate portion110(for complementing a pipe) and two linear portions112,114, the two linear portions112,114terminating in first edge106and second edge108, respectively. As shown best inFIG. 2, the distance116between the first edge106and the second edge108is less than the outer diameter of the pipe to which it will be secured. Further, a first angled junction117is formed at the junction of the arcuate portion110and the first linear portion112, and second angled junction118is formed at the junction of the arcuate portion110and the second linear portion114. The angle of the junction117,118on the first (interior, concave side) is less than 180 degrees. In one embodiment, the angled junctions117,118are in a range between 90 and 180 degrees. In one embodiment, the angled junctions117,118are in a range from 45 to 135 degrees. In one embodiment, the distance120from the first angled junction117to the second angled junction118is greater than the outer diameter of a pipe. In one embodiment, the angled junctions117,118do not contact the pipe.

Accordingly, the first edge106and the second edge108are placed so as to contact a pipe along their length. A user then exerts a force on the outer, second side104toward the pipe122(FIG. 7), which causes the safety plate100to flex such that the first edge106and second edge108slide around the pipe. In one embodiment, when the safety plate100is secured to the pipe122, the first edge106and second edge108are at the mid-point of the pipe (i.e., the diameter of the pipe). In one embodiment, the first edge106and second edge108extend beyond the mid-point of the pipe (i.e., the safety plate100wraps around more than half of the circumference of the pipe122). Further, as shown inFIG. 7, the safety plate100may be positioned within the pipe aperture126. This is contrary to the prior art, which requires a safety plate of the prior art to be secured to a stud124. It will be understood that the safety plate100is manufactured from materials sufficiently rigid and strong so as to prevent puncturing with a nail or screw, and that likewise exhibits memory so as to retain shape. The preferred materials comprise steel and may, or may not, be zinc plated. However, it will be appreciated that other materials may be used, such as metals, metal combinations, or even carbon fiber. Due to its strength and memory, and due to the fact that the distance116between the edges106,108is less than the diameter of the pipe, the safety plate100remains engaged to the pipe and cannot be easily moved or removed. To remove, a user must exert sufficient pulling force to overcome the tension grip formed by the first and second edges106,108.

It will be appreciated that the safety plate100is a major improvement over the prior art. First, the safety plate100does not require nails, spikes, or tools to secure it in position—unlike the prior art that typically requires a hammer to secure to a stud. Second, the spacing between studs or the gap in a stud (such as when the pipe passes vertically through a floor) is irrelevant, as a user need only ever use one safety plate100to protect the pipe122running through the stud124or studs. Accordingly, the safety plate100saves time and labor, requires fewer uses at a worksite, and therefore is a source of significant savings to a builder.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 8-13, a safety plate200comprises a first side (concave)202and a second side (convex)204, wherein the first side202comprises an adhesive for coupling to a pipe or other surface needing protection from nails, screws, or other devices that may puncture the pipe. In one embodiment, the safety plate200is curved (arcuate) so as to conform to the shape of a pipe. However, in an alternate embodiment, the safety plate is flat and comprises an adhesive on at least one side. In one embodiment, the adhesive is preferably of a peel and stick type, such as that produced by 3M Corporation. This allows a user to affix a safety plate200without tools.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 13, a method of using the safety plate200comprises adhering the first side202of the safety plate200to a pipe206(the first side202being ideally concave and shaped complementary to the pipe206), the opposite, second side204positioned so as to prevent puncture of the pipe206. As shown, the safety plate200may be positioned within a pipe aperture208in a stud210. As appreciated, the safety plate200does not require tools to install to protect a pipe, and as a result is generally faster and safer for a user to install. Second, the safety plate200is secured directly to the pipe206, as opposed to the stud210as done in the prior art.

Exemplary embodiments are described above. No element, act, or instruction used in this description should be construed as important, necessary, critical, or essential unless explicitly described as such. Although only a few of the exemplary embodiments have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in these exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages herein. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention.